Grand Slam Track faces unpaid rental fee from Miami event
Forbes reports that the league has not paid its US$77,896 rental fee for use of the Ansin Sports Complex during the Miami Slam in May
Kevin Morris
Things have gone from bad to worse for Grand Slam Track (GST), the startup league founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, as Forbes reported Tuesday that the league owes nearly US$80,000 in unpaid rental fees to the City of Miramar for its Miami Slam event held May 2–4 at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla.
The startup track and field league currently owes the City of Miramar $77,896 for its facility rental from its Miami Slam.
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According to the report, GST owes US$77,896 for facility rental costs. The event-hosting agreement, signed on April 10, 2025, stated that half the payment was due 30 days before the event (April 2), with the remaining balance due 30 days after (June 2). Neither payment has been made.
The City of Miramar reportedly negotiated a new repayment plan with the league, indicating that Grand Slam Track now owes $30,000 on July 18, another $30,000 on Aug. 18 and the third and final payment of $17,896 on Sept. 18.
Financial woes
The unpaid rental fee is just the latest in a growing list of financial issues plaguing the new league. Front Office Sports (FOS) previously reported that GST still owes approximately US$10 million in prize money to athletes who competed in its three events in Kingston (Jamaica), Miami and Philadelphia–plus the appearance fees for the cancelled final meet in Los Angeles last month.
So far, only the appearance fees for the Kingston meet (April 4-6) have been paid. Prize money for Kingston, along with all payments for Miami (May 2-4) and Philadelphia (May 31-June 1), remain outstanding. The league originally launched with $30 million in funding, promising $12.6 million in prize money to athletes and $100,000 to the winner of each race category.
A copy of an internal email sent to the athletes’ representatives obtained by FOS acknowledged the delays and laid out a new timeline for payments: “At this time, all agents who have sent the appropriate paperwork have been issued appearance fee payments for Kingston,” the email read. “Our plan is to make payments for Kingston prize money before the end of July and the remaining payments due by the end of September, which includes the honouring of Los Angeles appearance fees.”
The waiting game
Two-time Canadian Olympian Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, who competed in the men’s distance event at the inaugural Kingston slam, told Canadian Running in a June interview that he was still waiting on payment but praised the league’s vision: “Grand Slam Track was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a pro,” said Philibert-Thiboutot. “I’m sad to see it struggle, because I do think that’s the way athletes should be treated at the highest level.”
Photo: Kevin Morris
One athlete agent, speaking anonymously to Canadian Running, said only half the prize money from Kingston has been distributed, and no payments have yet been made for the Miami or Philadelphia events.
Considering the unpaid fees at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, the smallest venue of the league’s four Slams, it raises the question: if Grand Slam Track can’t cover a $78,000 facility bill, how will they come up with the millions still owed to athletes?
