Athletes from bankrupt track league have now been paid - Johnson
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, and clarifies details of payments to himself and athletes.
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has publicly addressed the aftermath of Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy, revealing how he has now compensated athletes who were owed substantial payments. The league, which had promised lucrative prize money and salaries in its inaugural season, collapsed in December 2025 after a catastrophic loss of capital due to investor withdrawals.
High-profile athletes such as British former world 1500m champion Josh Kerr and 2024 Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith were among those owed payments exceeding £100,000.
Johnson explained that the company's credit card was maxed out due to significant cash-flow issues, necessitating the payment of expenses such as flights to Miami and Philadelphia for 96 athletes and their companions, as well as accommodations for 170 individuals in hotels across two cities. Despite the financial strain, Johnson personally loaned the company $2 million to ensure the athletes were paid and forwent his own salary.
He assured that the $500,000 that was allegedly paid to him before the season's collapse was actually reimbursement for the company's expenses, and he has since agreed to repay the amount.
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