MICHEAL JOHNSON will not feature in 2026 athletics coverage following the collapse of his Grand Slam Track (GST) league in December 2025. The GST bankruptcy left numerous athletes and creditors unpaid, raising questions about Johnson’s management of the project.
Johnson, who has served as a commentator and pundit since 2001, had not worked with broadcasters since the Paris 2024 Olympics while focusing on GST. The league promised significant prize money and salaries to contracted athletes during its inaugural season. However, the final event was cancelled, and organizers later filed for voluntary bankruptcy in the United States.
Legal filings in Delaware reveal that GST owed more than $30 million (£22.5m) to athletes and other creditors. Among those affected are:
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Josh Kerr – owed $168,750 (£123,000)
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Matthew Hudson-Smith – owed $147,500 (£107,500)
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Daryll Neita – owed $28,750 (£21,000)
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Dina Asher-Smith – owed $24,500 (£17,850)
Kerr expressed frustration over the unpaid amounts but highlighted that he believes Johnson and the GST team acted in good faith. He described the situation as “horrible” and emphasized his support for the athletes involved.
Three GST events took place—in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia—before the league’s collapse. Court filings allege that Johnson paid himself $500,000 (£375,000) shortly before announcing the cancellation of the Los Angeles event. GST has denied these claims, stating that the payment advanced operating expenses, including athlete travel and accommodations, and that only a portion was reimbursed.
A GST spokesperson defended Johnson, noting that he invested $2.25 million (£1.8m) into the league just before the Philadelphia event to cover operational costs. The organization criticized the creditors’ committee for attempting to discredit the company and Johnson with what it calls “false statements.”
The league’s collapse has sparked concern that unpaid debts could set a “dangerous precedent” in athletics competitions and affect trust in emerging sporting leagues.
