With the track and field suffering from a significant lack of finances, Michael Johnson made an attempt to address it for good. Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the sorry state of track and field athletes became pretty glaring. Soon after, personalities like Alexis Ohanian and Michael Johnson took it upon themselves to bring back the money to the sport. As Ohanian’s ATHLOS was a huge hit, Grand Slam Track is also expected to follow a similar story. However, ahead of its much-anticipated debut, the league is hit with significant criticisms. And most of them have come from the Olympic gold medalist, Noah Lyles. 

It was heavily expected by the fans that Lyles would be featured as a prominent star in the GST. Unfortunately, that did not happen. While GST has sent ripples due to its star-studded lineup of athletes and whopping prize money, Lyles does not seem interested. In fact, he has pointed out a crucial gap in the making. Lyles stated that despite covering almost every box, the main issue for the league was visibility.

After all, there would be no buzz if a league was not watched by enough audiences.  Back in November 2024, Lyles stated in an interview with LetsRun.com that the GST is looking stagnant. Without a significant broadcasting partner, there was no use of the league dishing out those extra bucks to the athletes.  However, Michael Johnson got that field covered.

In a recent announcement, Johnson announced a game-changing deal with Peacock. They will be streaming every race live, putting an end to Noah Lyles’ doubts. However, despite getting his issues addressed, Lyles still won’t be a part of the league. And now he has some more suggestions to make regarding the GST. In a recent episode of the Beyond the Records podcast, Lyles gave his unfiltered opinions.

He mentions how the GST can create its own legacy. The Olympic gold medalist suggested that Johnson must build an entire stadium. “You know what I actually think they should do? I think they should hold up one more year. (0:04) | think they should build one stadium in the U.S. in one central city,” opined Lyles. 

He further went on to state that Johnson must get in touch with the authorities and get his permit to erect an exclusive stadium in one of the central cities.  This way, the league can keep running all year round. Moreover, Lyles also wanted four Grand Slams to be organized in one single year.  However, even as Lyles sounded optimistic, none of his co-hosts looked convinced.

One of them pointed out that the idea looked quite a tough one to execute. To buy land and build an entire stadium is a big task and would cost a lot of money. He also termed track and field a ‘non-revenue’ sport. Meanwhile, with Noah Lyles continuously taking shots at GST, Micahel Johnson seems quite unperturbed by the same. In fact, he has decided to cut off Noah Lyles from his million-dollar league.

Michael Johnson shuts the GST door on Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson

In a bold and game-changing statement, Michael Johnson has closed the door on Grand Slam Track (GST) for track stars Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, declaring that GST doesn’t need them. Yes, you read that right!

Johnson remarked, “We don’t need anyone else. We will take all of the fastest people, but we don’t have to have them.” With his words, he threw a daring challenge to the athletes who have been pivotal in raising track and field’s profile. With GST making its mark as a revolutionary new platform for track athletes, Johnson is laying down the gauntlet, signaling that the sport is evolving without relying on its most recognized stars.

As GST gains momentum, Johnson has made it clear that while top-tier athletes are welcome, the event is fully prepared to stand on its own. “Ultimately, we will get everyone. This is year one; this is where you want to be if you’re a premier track and field athlete,” he added. This direct challenge has raised eyebrows, especially after Lyles voiced his frustrations over the lack of major broadcasting deals in the sport.

But now, with GST securing free-to-air TV on CW and streaming on Peacock, the narrative has shifted. “Not only are we on free-to-air network TV on CW, we are simultaneously streaming on Peacock,” Johnson proudly stated. While Lyles and Richardson had initially expressed reservations, citing issues with broadcasting and compensation, it seems the tables have turned.

The new era of track and field is here, and GST is leading the charge. With 48 athletes signed on, the competition is set to redefine the sport’s future, with or without its most prominent figures. This bold move by Johnson is just a clear signal that GST is not just a platform for the fastest. Rather, it’s a new world for track and field.