Grand Slam Track Bold Start Amidst Challenges
The inaugural Grand Slam Track event, held from April 4–6, 2025, at Jamaica’s National Stadium in Kingston, marked a transformative moment in professional track and field. Spearheaded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, the series aims to revitalize the sport by offering substantial prize money and a unique competition format.
Innovative Competition Format
Grand Slam Track introduces a fresh approach to track and field competitions. Athletes are divided into 12 event groups—six for men and six for women—each comprising two disciplines:
• Short Sprints: 100m and 200m
• Long Sprints: 200m and 400m
• Short Hurdles: 100m hurdles (women), 110m hurdles (men)
• Long Hurdles: 400m hurdles and 400m
• Short Distance: 800m and 1500m
• Long Distance: 3000m and 5000m
Over three days, competitors face off in both events within their group, earning points based on their performances. Points are awarded as follows:
• 1st place: 12 points
• 2nd place: 8 points
• 3rd place: 6 points
• 4th place: 5 points
• 5th place: 4 points
• 6th place: 3 points
• 7th place: 2 points
• 8th place: 1 point
The athlete with the highest combined score in each group is crowned the “Slam Champion” and awarded a $100,000 prize. In total, $1.2 million was distributed among the 12 group winners in Kingston, contributing to the event’s overall prize pool of $3.15 million.
Standout Performances
• Grant Fisher: The American distance runner secured the men’s long-distance Slam Champion title. Fisher won the 5000m in 14:39.14 and placed third in the 3000m with a time of 8:03.85, accumulating the highest points in his group and earning $100,000.
• Kenny Bednarek: Bednarek dominated the men’s short sprints, winning both the 100m in 10.07 seconds and 200m in 20.07 seconds. His flawless performance earned him the maximum 24 points and the $100,000 prize.
• Gabby Thomas: Thomas showcased her versatility by winning the women’s 200m in 22.62 seconds and finishing second in the 400m with a personal best of 49.14 seconds. Her combined results secured her the women’s long sprints title and a $100,000 award.
Challenges in Attracting Top Talent
Despite the substantial prize money and innovative format, the Grand Slam Track series has faced challenges in attracting some of the sport’s top athletes. Notably absent from the Kingston event were Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Lyles had previously indicated he would only participate if the league secured a broadcast partner, which it now has with deals on The CW and Peacock. However, he has yet to join the roster. Ingebrigtsen, on the other hand, reportedly declined participation due to the format requiring athletes to compete in two corresponding disciplines within an event category, which may not align with his specialization.
Financial and Attendance Concerns
The Kingston event, while successful in terms of athlete performances, struggled with low attendance. Reports indicate that the main grandstands never reached 50% capacity on any of the three days, with other sections remaining largely empty. Limited on-site parking and inadequate local marketing were cited as contributing factors to the sparse turnout. Financially, while the league has secured over $30 million in commitments from investors and strategic partners, the inaugural event’s low attendance and high operational costs suggest that it may have operated at a loss. However, organizers view this as a long-term investment in the sport’s revitalization.
Historical Context
Grand Slam Track is not the first attempt to establish a professional track and field league. The International Track Association (ITA), which operated from 1972 to 1976, initially attracted many top athletes but ultimately folded due to a lack of television revenue and difficulties in sustaining athlete participation. Similarly, the American Track League, founded more recently, has struggled to gain significant traction. These historical precedents highlight the challenges inherent in creating a sustainable professional track and field league.
Looking Ahead
The Grand Slam Track series continues with upcoming events in Miami (May 2–4), Philadelphia (May 30–June 1), and Los Angeles (June 20–22). Each meet follows the same format, offering athletes the opportunity to compete for significant prize money and fans the chance to witness high-stakes, head-to-head competition.
posted Sunday April 20th
by Boris Baron