Last year, Athlos’ inaugural event made an explosive debut, drawing over 3 million viewers and packing 5000 fans into the stands. It was nothing but phenomenal. A year later, it appears that the momentum hasn’t slowed down a bit. With the Icahn Stadium completely sold out and investors eagerly lining up, Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos has truly lived up to its mission of spotlighting female track athletes outside the Olympic years. However, there’s a twist. While this year’s event has wrapped up, the celebrations are far from over.

A few days have passed since the curtains fell on the Athlos 2025, but Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos isn’t done making headlines just yet. Beyond being a show-stopping, record-shattering spectacle, it has now earned one of the highest honors in the sport – a recognition from World Athletics itself. Ohanian’s Athlos has officially been granted Gold Label status by World Athletics. It is a badge reserved for events that meet world-class standards in every aspect: elite athlete lineup, flawless organization, top-tier safety, global media reach, and strict anti-doping compliance.

In fact, Athlos achieved what many have been chasing for years, earning the prestigious Gold Label in just its second year. However, the Diamond League could face serious competition from Athlos, thanks to Ohanian’s push to give his league full legitimacy. Well, consider the numbers: Diamond League finale winners earn between $60,000 and $100,000, but Athlos athletes receive $60,000 instantly, plus a $25,000 Tiffany crown. Even the World Athletics Championships award a comparatively modest $70,000.

Evolving from the Golden League, the Diamond League, since its launch in 2010, has offered the world’s top track and field athletes a premier stage to display their talent. However, what it lacked was a sports celebration, a gap that Alexis Ohanian addressed through Athlos.

This year’s Athlos hit differently. Alexis Ohanian spiced things up by adding field events to the mix, making the 2025 edition bigger and bolder. On Thursday night, Olympic gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall and other stars lit up the Big Apple sky with their qualifying jumps, officially kicking off the second year of Athlos NY. By Friday, the Ichan Stadium was buzzing with 5,000 fans as athletes put on a show that felt more like a year-end festival, sports, music, food, and pure energy. Ohanian may have just cracked the code everyone else’s been chasing.

By these metrics, Ohanian is positioning Athlos not just as a compelling platform for athletes but as a league that truly stands out to fans as well. Speaking on the legitimacy of the event, Athlos CMO Kayla Green said she believes Athlos will grow tremendously in the coming years, with several partners already lining up to be part of its growth story. “On the commercial side, no question the traction is there. Some of our partners this year are multiyear partners, so they see the value in this in the long run, even as we’re going to take a dramatic shift in the competitive style of the events next year,” said Kayla Green.

The all-women-focused track and field meet is nothing short of a celebration for the athletes who work all year long to break their own records. However, it’s not just an act of charity; Alexis Ohanian believes that business should align with those same principles.

Business is booming for Alexis Ohanian with Athlos

Last year, Athlos captivated over a million viewers through a savvy media rights strategy, and this year, it repeated the feat. Ion joined as the domestic broadcast partner under a multiyear agreement, while Brooks Running Shoes came on board as the presenting sponsor. Ohanian is leaving no stone unturned, driving every effort to elevate both the event’s reach and its business impact.

“There isn’t a brand that we talk to that doesn’t have women’s sports on its radar in some way, and I think the biggest challenge right now for any brand that wants to come in and sponsor women’s sports is scale. It’s not there. We’re not on all of the major networks. We are on some of the major networks, but not enough airtime. Scale has just become a real challenge for a large brand that comes in, and they want to buy at the reach and frequency of the NFL,” said Green.

Looking ahead to 2026, the organization plans to launch a team-based league, with stars like Tara Davis-Woodhall, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Gabby Thomas continue to shape the league as advisor-owners.