A start-up track league, led by Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, owes more than $40 million to dozens of creditors, according to court filings.
The track league, Grand Slam Track, didn’t make it out of its first season before problems arose.
According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Grand Slam Track filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and a new filing from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware shows the extent of the financial issues.
Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, was the commissioner of the league, and touted itself as ‘a revolutionary Track League to Elevate the Sport’s Global Footprint. Grand Slam Track will center around fan-focused storytelling and promotion of track’s biggest stars.’
The first season ran from April to June 2025 and signed 48 premiere track athletes.
Johnson put more than $2.7 million of his own money ($2,245,565 of that loan is still an outstanding balance) into the league, but records show that Grand Slam Track, which filed for bankruptcy last month, only made $1.8 million in revenue during the first season. Documents show that nearly $36 million of its $40.6 million debt owed came in the form of nonpriority unsecured claims.
Some of the biggest names in the sport are listed as creditors: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is owed $268,750; Kenny Bednarek, $195,000; Gabby Thomas, $185,625; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, $174,375; and Marileidy Paulino, $173,125.
Others owed money include U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ($31,000) and $25,000 to World Athletics.
The league’s Chapter 11 plan is due on Friday, Jan. 30.
