1. Michael Johnson Fires Back at Criticism Over Lyles & Richardson Absences
Michael Johnson, four‑time Olympic gold medallist and founder of Grand Slam Track (GST), has broken his silence on the surprising absence of Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson from the league’s inaugural season. Despite whispers of financial turbulence, Johnson made it clear he views GST’s early conclusion not as a failure but as a strategic pivot. He insisted, “The expectation that I need every single top athlete, and that missing one equals failure, is ridiculous.”
Johnson’s comments came via the Sports Business Journal, where he underlined that GST had already secured major broadcast agreements—with CW, Peacock, and Warner Bros.—even without its biggest names . “They knew who hadn’t signed, and they ultimately signed with us and became our partners,” Johnson explained, noting that more than 50 percent of GST racers are Paris Olympic medallists . He stressed that GST’s mission isn’t built on any single athlete: “GST was designed to be bigger than any one athlete. That’s how you build sustainability” .
2. GST’s First Season Abruptly Concluded Over Economics and Logistics
Initially, GST planned four city ‘Slams’—Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. But on June 12, the Los Angeles finale at Drake Stadium was canceled. Johnson cited a shifting economic backdrop and lease challenges as key issues . Similarly, USA Track & Field CEO Max Siegel pulled a concurrent meet in L.A., citing unsustainable resource overlap . Reuters confirms Johnson pitched GST as the “Formula One of athlete racing,” designed to transcend traditional Olympic‑only visibility . Despite speculation, he clarified, “It is the right decision for the long‑term sustainability of the league… We feel that we’ve proven everything that we needed to this year in the first three slams” .
3. Noah Lyles: Supportive Yet Cautious About GST’s Direction
Though Noah Lyles didn’t join GST, he has expressed early support: “I would love nothing more than for this to be successful” . On his Beyond the Records podcast, Lyles pointed to concerns around scheduling, visibility and commercial backing—calling for a dedicated stadium in the U.S. to foster sustainable growth . While co‑host Rai Benjamin warned of questionable ROI, Olympic relay champion Vernon Norwood backed GST’s fan‑engagement potential—but insisted the business side must solidify before bigger stars commit . Lyles concluded: “I would love to be proven wrong… this could be a way for athletes to not have to only rely on World Championships” .
4. Coach Rob Takes a Shot at Lyles & Richardson’s Absences
Track coach Rob (Coach Rob) did not hold back, lambasting Lyles and Richardson for not “showing up” to help build the league. He warned their vast external brand deals mean “track becomes optional, a side hustle,” rather than a sport to cultivate at its roots. He compared their actions to legends like Michael Jordan and Caitlin Clark, who embraced growing leagues from within . “He chose to opt out… it comes across like Noah Lyles wants the table to be set before he comes to eat,” Coach Rob declared .
5. Media Muscle and the 2026 Relaunch
GST has announced a powerful alliance with Sundial Media and Technology Group, the parent of ESSENCE and Refinery29 . Johnson shared: “We are not just building a league, we are building a movement” . This partnership brings deep cultural storytelling potential and unlocks sponsorship channels, including the promise that 10 percent of sponsorship revenues will go directly to athletes . GST remains committed to expanding the global footprint, with future seasons eyeing Europe and Asia after the U.S. pilot .
Narrative Spin for Maximum Appeal
Michael Johnson is navigating a minefield: balancing star‑power expectations, economic realities, and the desire to turn GST into a movement rather than a celebrity showcase. His messaging is tough but strategic: yes, Lyles and Richardson add buzz—but GST will not crumble without them. Johnson is doubling down, accusing detractors of unrealistic demands and reinforcing his faith in collective strength and media muscle. The league’s pivot to storytelling and cultural relevance (via Sundial) signals a long-game vision. Meanwhile, voices like Coach Rob and Rai Benjamin continue to drum up pressure on elite athletes to choose legacy over external branding advantage.
