“Grand Slam Track” is referred to as the “Super League” of athletics and was started by the legend Michael Johnson. Grand Slam Track itself confirms to NRK that the event in Los Angeles at the end of June has been canceled.
– I’m not surprised. Because I’ve always believed that their economic model is not sustainable, says Bislett Games event manager Steinar Hoen to NRK, when he hears the news.
Dette er Grand Slam Track:
- The new track and field league will hold a total of four annual events. Los Angeles will be the home arena for the league. There will be one more event in the United States and two events in other countries. The first event will be held in April 2025. The organizer will focus on duels between athletes rather than optimal times, so for example, light hares will not be used. 48 athletes will be under contract and will participate in all events. In addition, 48 athletes will be challengers and will be paid per time they compete. All athletes must compete in at least two events per event. There will be six combined cups where the combined placing of both events determines who wins the cup. There will be $12.6 million in annual prize money in addition to the contract salary.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the 1500 meters in the last event in Philadelphia, USA, just under two weeks ago. He was unaware that the event in Los Angeles had been cancelled.
– I haven’t received my prize money yet, but maybe it will come. Why shouldn’t it come, we who participate have to pay for it. I have to be patient and wait, Wanyonyi tells NRK after he won the 800 meters at Bislett.
Media manager for Grand Slam Track Callum Squires writes in an email to NRK that they cannot answer all questions yet, but that it is correct that the event has been canceled, and that they will make an official statement later Thursday.
GLISSENT: Kenneth Bednarek won the 100 meters in Kingston Jamaica, but the stands behind him were far from full.
– The financial conditions at the LA arena were poor, and the success of our three previous events has led us to make the difficult choice to end the pilot season and turn our attention to 2026. We will announce investors and new partnerships next week, writes Squires.
During the opening event in Kingston, Jamaica, the prize money for the 100- and 200-meter events was $100,000 (around 1 million kroner) for the winner, $50,000 for 2nd place, and $10,000 for 8th place.
SKEPTICAL: Bislett manager Steinar Hoen is skeptical about the economic model of Grand Slam Track.
– They are giving away such big prize money, and when you look at the events, you see that there have been few people in the stands, says Hoen, claiming he has heard of problems with the sale of sponsorship and TV rights.
Divided opinions
Grand Slam Track was announced with close duels and high prize money. No Norwegian athletes have signed up for the event and several of them have expressed skepticism, including Karsten Warholm who has been afraid that it could lead to many of the best athletes participating in different competitions.
– It’s a huge risk. I don’t think the top in some exercises is really wide enough that you can spread it two places. If it leads to divisions, you have a challenge. If it turns out that you make good duels, rather use it to avoid duels and raise money, Warholm told VG in April.
NEW WINNING: Former sprinter Michael Johnson is the man behind the Grand Slam Track.
Grand Slam Track was supposed to be an addition to the Diamond League. Jakob Ingebrigtsen has previously been positive about the innovation.
– I obviously think, as mentioned earlier, that this is good for everyone. It engages a lot of people and it’s fun to watch. The Grand Slam and potentially other concepts help the sport and us athletes develop, and do what we love most. This means more competitions and more opportunities – that’s good.
The organizers have now chosen to cancel the fourth event in Los Angeles on June 28–29. NRK’s athletics expert Vebjørn Rodal points out that the sponsorship money, TV rights and entrance tickets indicate that it could not succeed.
– It has been rumored for some time that they have not settled their obligations. This applies to various matters, but also to prize money for athletes. I have tried to delve into the concept a little. It doesn’t make sense to me. The minus is greater than the plus, whether you like it or not. I guess, an educated guess, that the reason is economic collapse, says Rodal to NRK.
The Times writes that organizers will save $2.2 million if they cancel events.