In a shocking turn of events, Grand Slam Track, a running league designed to inject much-needed cash into the sport and its athletes' bank accounts, has officially declared bankruptcy. This development has left dozens of runners and numerous vendors in financial limbo, with many unlikely to receive the money they were promised.
Struggling Runners Bear the Brunt of Financial Collapse
Among those affected is Eric Edwards Jr., an up-and-coming hurdler who was counting on the league to support his burgeoning career. Edwards had planned to use his earnings to cover essential expenses such as rent, car fuel, and training costs. According to the league's bankruptcy filing, he is still owed more than $19,000, a sum that, while relatively small compared to the overall debt, represents a significant burden for an athlete trying to make ends meet.
Edwards expressed his disbelief in an interview with The Associated Press, recalling his initial reaction to the league's promises of substantial prize money and bonuses. "I'm like, y'all are crazy," he said, reflecting on the $12.8 million in incentives offered for signing up. Now, faced with the reality of unpaid dues, he added, "I never thought a meet would not pay the money."
Agents and Athvoices Raise Concerns Over Future Plans
The Association of Athletics Managers, a group representing agents for nearly 80% of track and field athletes who medalled at recent Olympics and world championships, has voiced strong opposition to Grand Slam Track's plans to restart the league later this year. In a statement released on Friday, the group expressed shock at the proposal to allocate $400,000 for athlete recruitment for the 2026 season before addressing outstanding payments from 2025.
"This would all be funded prior to any other 2025 payments being made," the statement noted, with the AAM clearly stating it does not support this approach. Steve Gera, the GST's president and CEO, who is himself owed over $170,000 according to the filing, did not respond to requests for comment from the AP.
High-Profile Debts and League's Downfall
The bankruptcy filing reveals that Grand Slam Track owes significant sums to several high-profile individuals and entities. Sprinting legend Michael Johnson is owed more than $2.2 million from a loan he made in May, just before the league's third event in Philadelphia, which nearly didn't occur. The league subsequently cancelled its fourth event scheduled for Los Angeles in June.
Other notable athletes listed as creditors include Olympic champions Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, owed $268,750, Gabby Thomas, owed $185,625, Marileidy Paulino, owed $173,125, and world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, owed $175,375. These athletes were part of GST's ambitious launch, which promised to revitalise track and field as a marquee sport with substantial payouts even outside Olympic years.
Widespread Impact on the Athletics Community
For top-tier athletes like McLaughlin-Levrone and Thomas, track is their primary profession, so missing six-figure payments is a severe blow, though it doesn't halt their careers entirely. However, for many others like Edwards, the situation is more dire. Without lucrative shoe deals or major sponsors, every penny is crucial to sustain their training and livelihoods.
Edwards, who received only about half of what he was owed, has had to take on a part-time delivery job at Amazon to make ends meet while continuing his training regimen. He has also moved back to Houston to live with his family, highlighting the precarious financial state of many athletes in the sport.
Reflecting on his position, Edwards noted, "When Grand Slam started up, I finished 15th in the world. If you look at, like, the 15th-best wide receiver in the NFL, or 15th-best NBA player, they're making bank. The 15th-best hurdler in the world can't even pay rent. It's crazy how that happens, but that was my reality."
Daily Struggles and Future Hopes
Edwards' daily routine underscores the challenges faced by athletes in similar positions. He begins his day with a 6 a.m. workout at his high school track, following instructions from his coach, before heading to a 10-hour shift at Amazon, with his work uniform and a protein shake always at hand in his car.
With the Summer Olympics more than two years away, Edwards sees it as a potential path to financial stability, but for now, he lives day to day. The dream of a lucrative league coming to the rescue has faded into a distant mirage. "All I want is to be able to live comfortably off of all the hard work that I've put in," he said. "That would be my dream — to be able to solely run track."
The league's bankruptcy filing is due on Friday, with a hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, as stakeholders await further developments in this unfolding financial crisis.
