Michael Johnson has hit back at critics, including athletes Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin, who previously expressed doubts about the viability of his Grand Slam Track league. This comes after Johnson secured a major broadcast deal, ensuring that the league will be available to a wide audience in the United States and internationally.
Ahead of its highly anticipated debut in Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday, April 4, Johnson revealed a groundbreaking partnership with the CW Network, which will serve as the exclusive broadcast partner for Grand Slam Track in the U.S., and with Peacock, which will provide streaming access. This deal is expected to significantly increase the league’s visibility, making it one of the most accessible track and field events in the world.
In response to skepticism regarding the broadcast deals, Johnson took to social media to clap back at the critics, specifically Lyles and Benjamin, who had questioned the event’s future without a clear TV broadcast plan. Johnson tweeted, “Thanks track fans, for your patience while we negotiated broadcast deals to make @GrandSlamTrack the most accessible track series ever! I appreciate your support! To the doubters and (you know who you are), you did it to yourself. Look at the bio!.” His message was aimed directly at those who had expressed concerns about the event’s broadcast future, suggesting that they were too quick to judge before the full picture emerged.
In the past, both Lyles and Benjamin voiced their reluctance to sign on to Grand Slam Track due to the lack of solid information on broadcasting options. Lyles, in particular, had openly admitted that the absence of a confirmed TV provider was the primary issue that prevented him from committing to the league. In a past interview, he explained that while he recognized the potential of the league, the absence of a broadcast deal made him hesitant. “The thing that’s stopping me at the heart of it is I have yet to hear of a TV provider. Again, what good is it if we’re producing these great times, great shows, these great rivalries and we have nobody seeing it?” Lyles said. He added that without proper media coverage, the league’s success would be in jeopardy, comparing it to the challenges faced by the Diamond League and World Championships, which often struggle with consistent viewership.
Benjamin also echoed similar sentiments, citing the lack of a clear broadcast deal as one of the key obstacles to his participation in the event. The Olympic 400m hurdles champion was also concerned about the logistics and format of the league, particularly the frequency of races and the potential travel demands placed on athletes. Despite his concerns, Johnson’s announcement of a major broadcasting partnership has changed the dynamic and may sway more athletes to join the league.
Grand Slam Track, which has already secured 48 racers who will compete against 48 challengers (yet to be announced), will feature various event groups. These will include the short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), and long sprints (200m/400m). Other event groups will include the long hurdles (400H/400m), middle distance (800m/1500m), and long-distance events (3000m/5000m). The competition will feature significant prize money, with the winner of each event group walking away with $100,000, while eighth-place finishers will receive $10,000.
Despite initial skepticism from some top athletes, the league’s impressive broadcast deals and substantial prize money could ultimately change the game for track and field. The inclusion of Grand Slam Track in major broadcast networks like CW and Peacock offers an opportunity for the sport to expand its reach to a wider audience, increasing exposure for athletes and generating more excitement around the events.
With the debut set for April 4, fans and athletes alike are eagerly awaiting to see how Grand Slam Track will shape the future of track and field competition, and whether it will deliver on its promise to revolutionize the sport. As Johnson himself points out, the league has now secured the broadcast deals necessary to give it the visibility it needs, setting the stage for a new era in track and field.
