Fred Kerley Claims He Can Fix Grand Slam Track After Michael Johnson's Struggles: 'You Just Did Too Much'

The 2022 world 100m champion, Fred Kerley, has delivered a pointed message to three-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson in the wake of the growing crisis surrounding Grand Slam Track.

Founded in 2024 by Michael Johnson with the vision of revolutionising professional athletics, the league officially launched in 2025, staging meets in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia while promising to reshape how elite track athletes are compensated.

With a reported prize pool exceeding $12.6 million, the initiative aimed to attract the world’s best talent by offering winners up to $100,000 per event, far surpassing typical earnings in traditional track and field circuits and positioning itself as a game-changer for athlete welfare.

The project initially generated excitement across the athletics community, with many viewing it as a long-overdue step toward financial security and global visibility for sprinters and other track stars.

However, the ambitious venture soon encountered major financial hurdles, and in December 2025, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a crucial investor pulled out, dealing a significant blow to its sustainability.

The sudden collapse left dozens of athletes stranded without payment, as millions of dollars in promised prize money went unpaid, triggering widespread frustration and uncertainty among competitors who had committed to the league.

As a result, concerns have grown about trust, accountability, and the future of similar athlete-focused initiatives, with Fred Kerley’s remarks highlighting the real-world impact the situation has had on professionals within the sport.

At the moment, the league’s future remains uncertain as Michael Johnson seeks new investment to settle these mounting debts before attempting a 2026 comeback.

The Olympic 100m bronze medallist has since shared a message with Michael Johnson on his X (Twitter) handle.

Fred Kerley, who has since signed with the Enhanced Games, suggested that he would be capable of taking over Grand Slam Track and running it more effectively.

Fred Kerley also implied that Michael Johnson had overcomplicated the project, which ultimately contributed to its struggles.

“@MJGold I can buy grand slam from you and do it the correct way. You just did too much,” Fred Kerley shared.

Following the April 2026 court approval of its reorganisation plan, Grand Slam Track will prioritise paying athletes approximately 70% of their outstanding prize money to restore professional trust.

Michael Johnson and Winners Alliance are currently funding basic operations and an intensive search for new investments to stabilise the league through the end of 2026.

The long-term strategy aims to implement a more conservative business model with the goal of hosting at least one major event by 2027.