4 weeks ago
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The inaugural season of Michael Johnson’s new Grand Slam Track series has been brought to a premature end after the final leg in Los Angeles was scrapped.
Johnson’s big-money athletics league launched in Kingston, Jamaica in April, before moving to Miami and Philadelphia last month.
The fourth and final event was due to be held in LA – the competition’s headquarters and the host city of the 2028 Olympics – on June 28-29.
However, Johnson has now pulled the plug on the meet because of economic concerns related to the 11,700-capacity Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus.
The humiliating move has raised concerns over the long-term future and financial sustainability of Grand Slam Track, where athletes compete to win $100,000 at each meet.
Yet organisers insist it will return in 2026 and that new investors and partners will soon be announced.
Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track series will not have a final event in Los Angeles
The big-money series, pictured here in Philadelphia, is supposed to shake-up athletics
Grand Slam Track claimed to have raised more than $30million from private investors upon its launch, enabling it to pay stars record prize money and lucrative contracts and appearance fees.
Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Daryll Neita were the four Brits who signed up as ‘racers’ to run in all the meets of the series, which was broadcast in the UK on TNT Sports with commentary from Steve Cram.
US legend Johnson’s aim was to get more eyeballs on athletics outside of the Olympics and World Championships and elevate the profile of the sport.
However, Grand Slam Track immediately hit issues on the opening night in Kingston, when only around 6,000 spectators attended the first session at the 35,000-capacity National Stadium.
The poor turnout resulted in organisers trying to fill the stands for the remaining two days of the meet by offering free tickets to schoolchildren.
Crowds were better at the two events in America, albeit at smaller venues, but the Philadelphia leg was cut from three days to two.
Johnson addressed Grand Slam Track athletes in a video call on Thursday, informing them of the decision to cancel the LA event, while offering assurances over the future of the league.
‘The decision to conclude the inaugural Grand Slam Track season is not taken lightly,’ said Johnson in a statement.
‘Sometimes we have to make moves that aren’t comfortable, but what’s most important is the future and sustainability of the league.
‘The global economic landscape has shifted dramatically in the past year and this business decision has been made to ensure our long-term stability as the world’s premier track league.
‘Our attention is now on 2026, with our eyes set on continuing to deliver the best-in-class storytelling, content, and competition that we have become known for in our debut year.
‘We are in conversations with potential host cities - many of whom have already thrown their names in the hat - to build out an exciting calendar of events for our fans across the globe.
‘We are committed to calling Los Angeles home, and look forward to hosting a Slam in LA as part of the 2026 season.’
