Michael Johnson looks to close the chapter on Grand Slam Track’s unpaid creditors, while continuing to reject allegations.
Michael Johnson, founder of the now-bankrupt Grand Slam Track (GST) league, has agreed to return $500,000 to creditors and vendors left unpaid after the league’s collapse.
The payment by the four-time US Olympic champion is part of a proposed deal that would see athletes receive around 70% of what they were owed, while most other vendors would get roughly 15%.
When GST folded before completing its inaugural season last year, athletes and vendors were left with significant unpaid sums. Sydney McLaughlin Levrone is owed $356,250, Gabby Thomas $249,375, Kenny Bednarek $225,000, Josh Kerr $218,750, Marileidy Paulino $211,875, Alison dos Santos $190,625 and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden $190,625.
The league’s largest creditors were production and service companies: broadcast partner Momentum CHP Partnership is owed $3.35m, technology and live events firm PMY Group $1.26m, and broadcast graphics company Girraphic $690,624.
The repayment follows allegations Johnson put himself first while GST struggled financially.
Lawyers for the league’s official committee of unsecured creditors (UCC) said he “initiated a payment of $500,000 purportedly on account of an unsecured note” and “shockingly… elected to secretly prefer himself over the athletes and other, non-insider creditors, while feigning to the public that he was advancing the interests of the athletes.”
GST and the former Olympic champion have consistently rejected these claims, with a spokesperson describing them as “unfounded and false.”
“On behalf of Grand Slam Track, we are aware of the UCC’s recent allegation that GST secretly paid $500,000 to Mr Johnson instead of paying athletes and vendors,” the statement read.
“As was previously explained to the UCC, Mr Johnson advanced millions of dollars for GST’s operating expenses, including athlete travel, accommodation, and costs, only a portion of which was repaid through the reimbursement.”
How GST’s launch quickly ran into trouble
GST was founded in 2024 with the ambition of reinventing professional track and field.
Johnson described GST as “the global home of professional track,” promising a fan-focused, commercially ambitious league which would deliver substantial prize money and appearance fees.
The inaugural season, which began in April 2025, was originally scheduled to feature four events in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. However, only three meets took place, with the Los Angeles finale cancelled.
Attendance at the opening meet in Kingston fell short of expectations and operational challenges in Philadelphia led to a shortened two-day meet.
Financial strain worsened when a key investor withdrew support in April 2025, creating what Johnson later described as a “major, major cash flow issue.”
GST fell behind on payments to athletes and vendors, and proposals to partially repay creditors were rejected. In December 2025, the league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware, listing liabilities estimated between $10m and $50m and more than 200 creditors.
What happens next?
The repayment agreement has so far been approved by one group of creditors, but it still requires sign-off from other creditors and a judge before it can take effect. If all goes according to plan, the deal could be finalised in the coming weeks, though this will not fully resolve the challenges facing Johnson.
The former Olympic star’s reputation has taken a significant hit. The BBC, where Johnson held a punditry role since 2001, reportedly has no plans to feature him in 2026, despite Johnson claiming it was his own decision not to renew following Paris 2024.
There are some mitigating voices, however. British athlete Kerr has said he doesn’t believe GST or Johnson were acting in bad faith, calling the situation “horrible” but not reflective of character.
GST has also submitted letters from athletes, including world champions, stating they would be open to competing in the league again.
