Grand Slam Track is facing challenges in fulfilling its financial obligations to athletes following the cancellation of its final meet in Los Angeles, as stated by CEO Michael Johnson on Friday. The organization did not receive the expected funding, leading to difficulties in compensating athletes who were promised significant earnings in their inaugural year. The decision to cancel the last event came after a previous event in Philadelphia was reduced from three days to two.
Reports from Front Office Sports revealed that Grand Slam Track owes approximately $13 million to participating athletes. Johnson expressed the struggle of balancing the ambition of building a successful venture while feeling responsible for disappointing the athletes they aimed to support. He acknowledged the failure to deliver on the promise of fair and prompt compensation, stating, “We find ourselves in a challenging position to fulfill our commitment to the athletes.”
Despite the financial setbacks, Johnson emphasized that Grand Slam Track intends to continue operating and is committed to organizing a 2026 season once outstanding payments to athletes have been resolved. The organization faced unexpected changes that impacted its ability to meet payment deadlines, but Johnson remains optimistic about the future of the venture.