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Noah Lyles has reflected on the collapse of Grand Slam Track, a project he had once criticized for lacking sponsor support and star power, warning that its failure could damage athlete trust and long-term progress in the sport.
Back in March, Olympic Champion Noah Lyles and one of the sport’s current most marketable stars voiced concerns about Michael Johnson’s ambitious new league, Grand Slam Track (GST).
As the league prepared for its Jamaican debut in Kingston with runners like Kenny Bednarek, Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Lyles questioned the legitimacy of its marketing strategy and sponsorship base.
Rather than expressing enthusiasm about participating, Lyles flagged a broader issue of GST’s struggle to attract financial backing and elite athletes.
His remarks foreshadowed deeper structural challenges, suggesting that while the concept was appealing, the execution might not match the vision.
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A Premature Ending and a Vindicated Warning
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By June, Lyles's skepticism proved prescient. GST abruptly cancelled its highly anticipated season finale in Los Angeles, which was meant to crown overall champions after earlier events in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia.
League founder Michael Johnson cited financial strain, revealing that hosting the Los Angeles meet at UCLA would have cost over $2 million, a price tag too risky without secured investment.
Speaking with James Emeritt as quoted by Essentially Sports, Lyles said the cancellation was disappointing but not surprising.
“That's never good news,” he remarked.
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“It means they couldn’t even complete a full season, achieving their planned goals.”
Beyond the financial implications, Lyles emphasized the damage such a collapse can inflict on the sport.
For young athletes considering new ventures, the abrupt shutdown might serve as a cautionary tale.
“It erodes confidence and trust. When leagues fold mid-season, it disrupts careers, not just schedules," noted Lyles.
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Hope Tempered by Caution
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Despite his early doubts, Lyles had expressed a genuine hope that GST would succeed.
In March, he stated, “I'd love nothing more than for this to be successful. If it works, it could offer athletes an alternative to relying solely on World Championships, potentially earning more consistent income.”
Yet his optimism came with clear caveats as GST had to deliver both visibility and value through major athlete participation and meaningful sponsorship deals.
“The closest thing we’ve had to a professional track and field league,” Lyles called it. But he declined involvement due to the lack of both financial and promotional incentives.
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