When Michael Johnson first hailed his vision for a new league to revolutionize the sport of track and field, many were skeptical. But as the former Olympian gathered more and more TV deals and bigger paychecks for the athletes to win, it nearly seemed like the revolution was upon us. But once the first edition of the GST in Kingston started, the reaction was anything but lackluster. Why? Because the 35,000-seat National Stadium was full of empty seats. This took us all back to the comments that this would be another bust. But then came Miami, and with it a revival was clearly at play. But what’s next?

Well, while Magic City was a big success, the next destination is The City of Brotherly Love. And Philadelphia is going to offer one of the bigger stadiums to Michael Johnson’s big dream. And with it comes the big question. Can Johnson, who was a genius at pacing himself on the track, guide this bold dream past the doubts that are starting to creep in? Because, let’s be honest, the crowd numbers for Grand Slam Track haven’t been setting the world on fire everywhere.

Those empty seats in Kingston got fans and commentators talking, making them question if the league has enough star power to pull in big crowds. But Johnson? He seems cool as a cucumber. He’s more focused on building a loyal fanbase for the long haul than trying to sell out every single seat right from the get-go. “We’re heading to Philadelphia next,” he said, “and it’s a huge stadium. We’re not kidding ourselves that we’re going to fill up a 50,000-plus seat place right now.”

He’s open about the challenge. But is it just being realistic enough to silence the critics? Johnson’s approach is as calm and steady as he was when he was breaking records. He points to Miami, saying the smaller venue created an “electric atmosphere” because it was packed. “Kingston, we knew we weren’t going to [fill it]—that’s a 35,000-seat stadium,” he explained, stressing that they’re setting achievable goals.

“Right now, you get a better vibe in a smaller, more up-close stadium.” Looking forward, he’s still optimistic. “We really feel like, eventually, we’ll be able to fill up those bigger stadiums, and we can’t wait for that day.” He also insists that choosing these locations wasn’t random; there were “a lot of different factors” involved. “For this year,” he says, “we’re happy with the locations we’ve chosen.”

So, can this down-to-earth strategy give the track’s ambitious new league the boost it needs to succeed? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, GST has gotten a big boost ahead of the Philadelphia Slam.

Rekortan’s announcement to be an Official Track Partner of the GST Philadelphia Slam

Well, the track at Franklin Field is about to get a serious makeover, just in time for a big event. Rekortan, who is like the rock stars of track surfaces, is teaming up with Michael Johnson’s new Grand Slam Track League. They’re going to be the official track provided for the first-ever Philadelphia Slam, which is happening this coming weekend, May 31st to June 1st!

And this isn’t just any old running track. Rekortan is bringing in their latest and greatest—a surface that’s not only top-notch for speed but is also made with renewable and recycled materials. The goal? To give these incredible athletes the amazing stage they truly deserve. You have to wonder, could this partnership make track and field the talk of the town in Philly?

For the folks at Rekortan, this is way more than just a sponsorship deal; they’re all in. Tim Jordan, Vice-President at Rekortan USA, said, “We are delighted to partner with Grand Slam Track for the Philadelphia Slam and be part of a new era in professional track.” And they know their stuff—Rekortan has built more certified tracks around the globe than anyone, so athletes trust them.

Jordan added, “We’re dedicated fans of track and committed to supporting athletes and coaches around the world by providing the best tracks to showcase their talent.” It makes you think, how will this kind of support help shape where Grand Slam Track is headed? This whole thing feels like they’re shooting for the stars.

When you combine Rekortan’s awesome, eco-friendly tracks with Michael Johnson’s bold vision for the sport, the Philadelphia Slam could change how people see track and field. Could this combo be the spark that kicks off a whole new chapter for the sport? It’s exciting to think about!