Grand Slam Track to pay athletes half of what they owe after receiving 8-figures in emergency funding

After months of unpaid prize money and a cancelled season finale, Grand Slam Track league organisers have finally secured emergency funding in the eight-figure range from investors.

The league owing about $19M in debt — $11M to athletes and $8M to vendors, now has the money to cover some of the shortfall. According to reports, a handful of the startup’s existing investors have provided the league with up to eight figures of emergency financing.

Although the funding is not enough to cover all of the league’s debts, the lifeline covers half payments to the athletes, staff salaries, and gives the league a shot at surviving into 2026.

Grand Slam secured the commitments from investors at the end of September, and the majority of the new cash, roughly $5.5 million, will go straight to athletes who are owed prize money and appearance fees from three events Grand Slam hosted earlier this year. The league says it will pay athletes half of what each is owed.

With the remaining emergency financing, Grand Slam will turn to vendors. Based on existing agreements, the league owes roughly $8 million for event and broadcast production, legal and accounting fees, and facilities payments.

In an email sent to athletes on Friday morning, Grand Slam Track explained the “installment payment” athletes received.

“Today is the beginning of Grand Slam Track’s reboot. We apologize for the frustrations and hardships caused by the payment delays to date. Over the next 60 days, we will be working hard to make things right with everyone who helped make 2025 a success, to best position GST for 2026 and beyond. This is a critical step in that delicate and difficult process, but know there is a path. Our appreciation of your grace and support as we walk that path cannot be overstated,” the league told athletes.