Grand Slam Track vs Diamond League: Shocking revelation on 'laughable' winning prize money goes viral

Following the conclusion of the inaugural Grand Slam Track in Kingston, athletes and fans have taken into account the winning prize money compared to the 'laughable' amount earned at the prestigious Diamond League meetings.

The Grand Slam Track co-founded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, is a new money-making meet for athletes with a prize pot of $12.6 million that allows each category winner to earn $100,000.

At the just concluded first meet in Kingston, twelve Grand Slam champions were crowned and walked away with the winning prize, while the second-placed ($50,000), third (30,000), fourth ($25,000), fifth ($20,000), sixth ($15,000), seventh ($12,500), and eighth ($10,000).

These enticing price monies have been applauded by track enthusiasts with an athlete going as far as calling the Grand Slam a game-changer compared to the 'laughable' amounts earned at renowned Diamond League meetings.

"Reminder that finishing LAST place in a Grand Slam Track meet yields the same prize money as FIRST place in a regular Diamond League meeting. The @GrandSlamTrack is a game changer for the sport," wrote Canadian Paris Olympic 4x100m champion Aaron Brown on his X page.

According to the table he posted with the caption, a Diamond League winner at any meet receives a moderate $10,000, while the eighth-place finisher takes home only $500.

Brown's post has gone viral, stirring online conversations with many fans of the opinion the Diamond League is 'laughable' for offering professional athletes such monies.

Here are some reactions below.

"This is a bad comparison. The Dl includes field events across 15 meets, Grand Slam focuses on track events over 4. With appearance fees for more athletes, the Dl prize $ is spread out. It’s a welcome addition, but is it better for the sport or just more $ for the top track stars?," commented an X user.

To which Brown responded: "It’s a perfect comparison when looking at the premier events outside of the championship.

"They have 15 meets but not every event is held at each one. 8 is the most 1 event has + a final. If you run the table that’s $110,000 vs 400k in 4 GST meets.

"GST has appearance fees as well The dl prize $ is spread out too thin and is way more lopsided. If you’re not collecting an app fee, the pay scale imbalance is enormous. The DL is the more top heavy league benefitting mostly the top," he wrote.

"Honest question King: Are you not wondering where the massive purses are coming from? Or is that tertiary? Same with Athlos. Lots of big chqs, but a 5000 seat space is generating that kind of finances for massive chqs? No one is sharing their model," another X user said.