“We’re not just building a league—we’re building a movement,” Michael Johnson said in June about how his ambitious project, Grand Slam Track (GST), would change the sport’s ecosystem. Because the statement came on the heels of a new deal between the track event and Sundial Media & Technology Group, it made the fans dream of a bright future. However, things haven’t been moving as planned, and a new announcement from a rival camp added to the frustrations.

Alexis Ohanian loves to shake things up as he goes. Among the many objectives of venture capitalists has been to elevate women’s sports to a whole new level. Over the years, he has achieved the goal through investments in women’s soccer and other areas. Last year, ATHLOS, a women-only track and field event, reaffirmed Ohanian’s determination to bring a new era for women’s sports. And now, Alexis & Co. is looking to take things a step further, and Johnson is on the receiving end of the fans’ sneers.

NBC Sports’ Emmy-winning reporter, Travis Miller, appeared on X on October 2 to share Athlos’ latest groundbreaking announcement. “ATHLOS announces partnership with Cash App including a $250K world record bonus and immediate prize payments for eligible athletes,” the social media post reveals, before sharing the official statement by Athlos on the matter.

“Introducing a new model for how performance turns into pay,” Athlos vigorously describes its CashApp partnership: “This year, CashApp is enabling immediate prize payment for all eligible athletes the moment results are confirmed.” It goes without saying that this could become a demonstration of how things are done, especially considering Johnson has openly admitted that GST is “struggling” to pay the participating athletes.

For those who don’t have a verified Cash App account, Athlos will make the payment via wire. “Faster payouts mean real-time recognition and an athlete-first experience, raising the bar for the sport,” Athlos flexed its newest move. And why wouldn’t it? After all, such a fast-paced payout has been previously unheard of in almost any sport. These issues turned into a major shade on Johnson and his GST project, which many had high hopes for, given how Michael himself has experienced firsthand the athletes’ struggles.

GST still owes $13 million to the athletes who participated in the inaugural season of the track event: a startling number, no doubt. Red flags were raised earlier this year when Johnson announced that Grand Slam Track would skip the last meet of the season due to a lack of funds. But fans probably didn’t imagine the athletes would have to go on without getting paid for so long. And now, as Team Ohanian assures fans that moves behind closed doors are relentless, fans couldn’t help but give Michael and GST a piece of their mind.

Fans come looking for answers to Michael Johnson

Let’s be honest: Many had doubts about Johnson’s project succeeding after the 4x Olympic gold medalist claimed that even lower-end contracts would allow the athletes to make as much as $100,000 by participating in Grand Slam Track. In November last year, one social media post took the painstriking task of crunching numbers to definitively show Michael was looking at a loss of as much as $10 million after just the first season of GST. It gave the event three years before tanking.

Athlos’ move has once again opened the floodgates to the debate. While Ohanian’s bold move is undoubtedly praiseworthy, fans couldn’t overlook how Johnson is falling short by miles in comparison. “GST still Pending payments!” one fan was left heartbroken by how Michael Johnson, a world-renowned track star, couldn’t meet the athletes’ needs despite his boastful claims. “They really dunking on GST with this move,” jeered another fan.

“Due to our strong desire to make this right as quickly as possible, we offered dated payment timelines and have been unable to meet them. Understandably, this has led to frustration, disappointment, and inconvenience to our athletes, agents, and vendors. I know this damages trust. I know this makes some wonder if our vision can survive,” Johnson said in August after calls for clearing the athletes’ payment kept mounting. But while the team scurries for a solution, Athlos is already setting the benchmark! Of course, the fans aren’t pleased.

“Immediate prize payment. Oh ‘Grand Slam’ going out sad,” one more fan sounded GST and Johnson’s death knell. Freddie Crittenden, one of the participants in the first season of GST, was also livid about how the ex-Olympian handled business and wasn’t afraid to slam Johnson for his infractions against the athletes. The fans agree.

“Did the grand slam athletes get paid yet?” one fan couldn’t help but take another dig at Johnson’s expense. Another fan was happy about Ohanian’s latest stunt, “That is a striking partnership () from ATHLOS!” How about you? What do you think of Athlos striking the deal with CashApp? Tell us your take on the matter below!