“It’s providing the fans and the athletes what they’ve been asking for.”— Michael Johnson, the man with multiple Olympic medals, a track and field legend and now director of Grand Slam Track. The inaugural season of Grand Slam Track unfolded in 2025 with the intent to revolutionize track and field. Kenny Bednarek is yet to be defeated. The UPS working track and field athlete won’t have to part with any more. Masai Russell opened the Miami Slam with a blazing 12.17s in the 100m hurdles, setting a new American record and igniting the season with a world-leading mark. Sydney McLaughlin Levrone saw her first loss after many, many races. The 2025 season has been interesting, and Michael Johnson has found yet another idea for the 2026 season!

“This is a damn good idea!!!“, read Michael Johnson’s X account on May 31st, 2025. A World Athletics Track & Field Announcer took to X to express his ideas for the next season of Grand Slam Track. He wrote, “You know what I would love to see from @GrandSlamTrack next season, having a surprise wild-card in some races, where you won’t know who the athlete is until it’s time to line up for the race.”

As of now, GST has an interesting format. Each of the four annual slams features eight athletes per event, comprising four contracted racers and four rotating challengers. These lineups are announced in advance, allowing fans to anticipate head-to-head matchups among top-tier athletes. The unpredictability of wildcard entries can heighten excitement, as fans anticipate unexpected performances from lesser-known athletes. Or a popular star might show up out of nowhere and just rock the crowd.

Wildcards are also not a new concept in track and field. Organizations like the CIF Southern Section and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) implement wildcard entries to include athletes who narrowly missed automatic qualification but demonstrated strong performances. Athletes who are reigning world champions or winners of the Diamond League Final earn wildcard entries to the World Athletics Championships. This allows their country to enter a fourth athlete in that event, exceeding the usual three-athlete limit. However, only one wildcard per event per country is permitted.

Currently, the Michael Johnson league has seen 2 successful slams, the Philly’s day one has concluded. All three of the slams have had their pros and cons, criticisms and praises. Let’s examine how the three slams have been.

Analyzing the Grand Slam Track

The gun fired first in Kingston, Jamaica, at the National Stadium from April 4 to 6, where the track echoed with the strides of Olympic champions like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, setting the pace for what was to come. The next curve came in Miramar, Florida, at the Ansin Sports Complex from May 2 to 4, where the heat of competition matched the Florida sun. Then it was time to pay homage to the history of track and field by taking the race to Philadelphia’s Franklin Field on May 31 and June 1.

By offering substantial financial incentives, with winners earning up to $100,000 per event, GST aims to enhance athlete compensation and attract top-tier talent. With their prize money, the event is proving good for the needy track and field athletes. Jacory Patterson, a 25-year-old UPS worker, emerged as one of the standout stories of the event. Balancing early morning shifts at UPS with rigorous training, Patterson clocked a personal best of 43.98 seconds in the 400 meters at the Miami Slam. Despite finishing second in the event, Patterson earned $50,000 in prize money. He expressed that his goal was to earn enough from the competition to focus solely on his athletic career, aiming to transition from his job at UPS to full-time training.

Furthermore, GST’s partnership with major broadcasters like The CW and Peacock ensures widespread visibility, potentially reaching audiences in 189 countries. They have been fighting a long battle for the popularity of track and field. However, the series has faced criticism regarding its execution and financial sustainability. Despite offering affordable ticket prices, such as $10 for general admission in Kingston, attendance has been underwhelming. The National Stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, saw only about 6,000 attendees, leading to concerns about local engagement and the event’s appeal. 

The Woodhalls heavily criticized Michael Johnson for omitting field events and focusing narrowly on select track disciplines. Johnson explained that field events don’t fit into the tight two-and-a-half-hour broadcast window that the league targets, leading to debates about the diversity and appeal of the competitions. What are your reviews of the Grand Slam Track?