Michael Johnson, the Olympic sprint legend and leader of the short-lived Grand Slam Track (GST) league, is facing allegations that he paid himself $500,000 just days before the organization collapsed, leaving athletes and vendors unpaid and creditors facing millions in losses.
Here’s What Happened
The claim comes from a court filing by GST vendors seeking approval to sue Johnson and the league’s primary investor, Winners Alliance, for $25 million. According to the filing, Johnson authorized the payment on June 4, 2025, eight days before the league canceled its final event in Los Angeles, while he allegedly knew GST was on the brink of financial collapse, The Guardian reported.
GST, launched with promises to “bring fantasy to life” and revolutionize track and field, organized just three events in 2025 — in Jamaica, Philadelphia, and the canceled Los Angeles finale. Despite Johnson’s high-profile involvement, the first event drew minimal attendance, and the league reported total revenue of less than $2 million against more than $40 million in debts.
Lawyers for the creditors described Johnson’s payment to himself as “shocking,” arguing he prioritized his own interests over those of athletes and other creditors, The Guardian reported. They say GST lacked the funds to complete the season and that Winners Alliance did not provide promised financial support, including a line of credit initially cited at $25 million but later reduced to $6 million. The filing further alleges mismanagement, including inaccurate claims about available funding and the league’s revenue projections.
GST filed for bankruptcy in December, listing liabilities between $10 million and $50 million across more than 200 creditors. Among the main vendors seeking redress are broadcast company Momentum-CHP Partnership, graphics firm Girraphic Park, and former PR agency SRK Strategies, owed $3 million, $690,000, and $248,000, respectively.
In response, a GST spokesperson denied wrongdoing, emphasizing that Johnson had personally advanced millions for operating expenses, including athlete travel and accommodations. “This claim is unfounded and false… It is unfortunate that the creditors’ committee chose to ignore facts and is instead attempting to discredit the company and Mr. Johnson through false statements,” the spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.
The legal dispute now centers on whether Johnson and Winners Alliance acted improperly, with vendors accusing the investor of directing the league to proceed with events despite deepening insolvency. The creditors’ proposed lawsuit also names COO Steve Gera and board member billionaire investor and philanthropist Robert Smith, along with several Winners Alliance executives, arguing that their decisions contributed to GST’s financial collapse and left many owed far less than they were promised.
The case is expected to move forward in Delaware bankruptcy court.
