For years, track and field athletes have dazzled global audiences with extraordinary performances, but when it came to financial rewards, they lagged far behind their counterparts in other professional sports.
That tide is finally turning, thanks to Grand Slam Track (GST), an ambitious league founded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson. With unprecedented prize money and a bold new structure, GST is redefining how track athletes are compensated and recognized.
A New Era for Athlete Compensation
At the heart of GST’s promise is its game-changing prize structure. In an interview with Front Office Sports, Johnson highlighted just how significant the shift is.
“For us to be at $100,000 for first place, versus $10,000 being the previous ceiling, is significant on its own,” he noted.
For context, the 2024 Paris Olympics made headlines by awarding prize money to track and field athletes for the first time in history, but only to gold medalists, and just $50,000 at that. GST has doubled that figure, awarding $100,000 to each event winner, while also ensuring that even athletes finishing eighth take home $10,000.
Fixing a Flawed System
Michael Johnson didn’t mince words about the structural problems that have plagued track and field for decades.
“This sport is really weird in that, most sports pay people to be the athlete, and then sponsorship is sort of secondary. In our sport, it’s inverted,” he explained.
A look at Usain Bolt’s career earnings illustrates the problem. In 2017, Bolt earned around $34 million, but only $2.2 million came from race winnings and appearance fees. The rest was generated through endorsements with brands like Puma and Gatorade. Compare that to Patrick Mahomes, whose NFL contract alone is worth up to $503 million, and the disparity is clear.
GST ensures athletes earn first from their track performance, not just sponsorships, correcting this imbalance.
A Year of Financial Breakthroughs in Track and Field
GST isn’t the only initiative shaking up the track and field world in 2025. The Wanda Diamond League has also raised its prize pool to a record $9.24 million, with the overall compensation package for athletes now approaching $18 million. Regular-season meetings offer up to $10,000 per win in standard events and up to $20,000 in new Diamond+ disciplines, with broader payouts now extending to 12th place.
Another exciting development is Athlos, a women-only track league supported by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Its flagship Athlos NYC meet boasts a $663,000 prize purse, with winners pocketing $60,000 and payouts extending to sixth place. The organizers uniquely share 10% of all event revenue with every competitor, ensuring each athlete benefits from the meet’s success.
Is a Monetary Revolution Underway?
The numbers don’t lie, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for financial equity in track and field. What was once a sport reliant on sponsorship deals for athlete prosperity is now rapidly evolving into one where talent, performance, and grit are directly and generously rewarded.
As Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track continues to set new standards, it’s clear that track athletes are finally getting the respect, recognition, and rewards they’ve long deserved. The movement is no longer a conversation, it’s happening.
