BBC Severs Ties with Michael Johnson Following Grand Slam Track Collapse
In a significant shake-up for British sports broadcasting, the BBC has confirmed it will not feature sprint legend Michael Johnson in its athletics coverage for the 2026 season. This decision marks the end of a 23-year working relationship that began in 2001, shortly after the American athlete retired from competitive track and field.
Bankruptcy of Grand Slam Track Leads to Broadcast Suspension
The move follows the financial collapse of Johnson's ambitious track and field league, Grand Slam Track (GST), which filed for voluntary bankruptcy in late 2025. According to a review published by the Association of Athletics Managers in January 2026, GST had accumulated debts of more than £22.5 million at the time of its failure.
BBC Sport has officially suspended its working relationship with Johnson, with sources indicating there are no current plans for the eight-time world champion to appear on any BBC programming in 2026. Johnson last graced BBC screens during the Paris 2024 Olympics coverage.
Athletes Left Owed Substantial Sums Amid Financial Turmoil
The bankruptcy has left numerous high-profile athletes significantly out of pocket. Documents filed with a bankruptcy court for the US district of Delaware reveal that Scotland's Josh Kerr, who won Olympic silver in the 1,500 metres at Paris 2024, is owed £123,000.
"Of course I'm frustrated," Kerr told BBC Sport. "I'm owed a lot of money, so in any business anyone's going to be frustrated. I don't particularly know right now where to push those frustrations and where they should sit."
However, Kerr declined to place blame solely on Johnson, adding: "I've had conversations with Michael, I've had information given to me by my agents on this stuff. I don't think these are bad people. I think this is a horrible situation."
Additional Athletes Affected by Unpaid Prize Money
The financial fallout extends to several other prominent athletes:
- Former European 400-metre champion Matthew Hudson-Smith is reported to be owed £107,500
- Olympic silver medallist relay sprinter Daryll Neita is understood to be owed £21,000
- Former 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith is yet to receive £17,850 in prize money
Concerns for Less Prominent Athletes and Fraud Allegations
Kerr expressed particular concern for athletes in less secure financial positions, stating: "I'm not super worried about myself. I'm worried about some of the other athletes, and they had their stories exposed of working jobs and not being sponsored, and then they had this life-changing money. That's what I care about."
Amid the uncertainty, Johnson was recently accused of receiving a £375,000 payment from GST prior to its final event, allegedly at a point when he knew athletes wouldn't be paid. GST has denied these claims, emphasising that Johnson continued to pump millions of his own funds into keeping the venture operational.
Grand Slam Track's Ambitious Vision and Current Status
Launched ahead of the 2025 season, Grand Slam Track aimed to revolutionise athletics by uniting the sport's biggest names more regularly and offering substantial prize money through innovative competition formats. The venture promised to propel track and field into a new era of popularity and financial viability.
Despite the bankruptcy filing, GST has indicated it still intends to host events in 2026 once its financial troubles have been resolved. However, with the BBC severing ties with its founder and multiple athletes awaiting substantial payments, the league's future remains uncertain.
The departure of Michael Johnson from BBC coverage represents the end of an era for British athletics broadcasting. The four-time Olympic gold medallist had become a firm favourite among British audiences over more than two decades with the broadcaster, offering expert analysis and insight drawn from his unparalleled competitive experience.
