Two-time Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek has pulled the curtain back on the financial realities of track and field, raising tough questions about how elite athletes are valued.
In 2025, Olympic legend Michael Johnson set out to redefine track and field with a bold, high-stakes league dubbed Grand Slam Track (GST). Featuring four electrifying meets, head-to-head battles, and a massive $12.6 million prize pool, Johnson’s vision was clear: turn track and field into the Formula One of athlete racing.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Despite being a two-time Olympic silver medalist and a standout performer in GST’s debut season, Bednarek recently opened up about how sprinters like him still lag far behind their counterparts in other professional sports when it comes to earnings.
“Well, I mean, I do feel like we should be compensated a little bit more,” Kenny admitted on The Attorney Sekou Podcast.
To put it in perspective, Noah Lyles, the reigning 100m and 200m world champion, has an estimated net worth of $7 million, barely edging out Jarrett Stidham, a backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos, who earned $6 million in 2024 alone.
The discrepancy is staggering, especially considering the global reach and physical demands of track and field. NFL and NBA players benefit from guaranteed contracts and transparent salary structures, with sites like Spotrac, OverTheCap, and HoopsHype openly listing every athlete’s pay. In contrast, most track and field athletes’ earnings, especially from endorsements and appearance fees, remain hidden behind closed doors.
A Sport at a Turning Point
Bednarek acknowledged that things are changing, crediting Johnson’s Grand Slam Track and a resurgent Diamond League, which has raised its prize pool to a record $9.24 million in 2025. The upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set for September 2026 in Budapest, promises an unprecedented $10 million purse, the richest in the sport’s history.
“I think we’re at a turning point,” Kenny said.
“The Grand Slam Track is coming in, and the Diamond League is opening their purse. We might shine a little brighter than we used to.”
He also expressed a desire for more financial transparency within the sport, similar to other leagues.
“I hope we can reveal who’s making what contract-wise,” he noted.
Broadcasting, Visibility, and a New Era
One major shift is the growing list of broadcast partners now carrying track and field events. The Grand Slam Track is reaching audiences worldwide via The CW, Peacock, TNT Sports, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Eurosport, with TVJ covering Jamaica. More visibility means more marketing opportunities, brand deals, and ultimately, better paychecks for the athletes.
“Michael Johnson’s finally taking the initiative,” Bednarek said.
“We need more broadcasting deals and he’s bringing them in. It’s a step in the right direction.”
Kenny Leading from the Front
Bednarek isn’t just a vocal advocate for change, he’s also dominating on the track. At the Kingston Slam, he captured both the 100m and 200m titles, setting a GST record of 10.07 seconds in the 100m and clocking 20.07 seconds in the 200m. His performance earned him $100,000 and a Grand Slam Track milestone as the first athlete to sweep both sprint events in a single meet.
He replicated this feat at the Miami Slam, blazing to a wind-assisted 9.79 seconds in the 100m and a 2025 world-leading 19.84 seconds in the 200m. Bednarek edged out Oblique Seville and Zharnel Hughes to secure another $200,000 payday.
So, Is the Grand Slam Track Working?
Bednarek believes it is.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to compete at the highest level with the best athletes,” he said.
He’s especially drawn to GST’s emphasis on storytelling, athlete personalities, and direct head-to-head showdowns, elements that have made leagues like the UFC and Formula One global sensations.
And while the prize money still falls short of what mid-level NFL or NBA players take home, it’s clear that track and field is finally moving in the right direction.
The question now isn’t whether the Grand Slam Track is making a difference, it’s how far, and how fast, it can take the sport and its stars.