Michael Johnson's BBC Future in Doubt Amid $500,000 Fraud Allegation

Olympic legend Michael Johnson will not be part of the BBC's athletics coverage this year as he navigates the fallout from his collapsed Grand Slam Track venture.

Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, has been a familiar face on the BBC's sports analysis team since 2001.

The decision comes as the 58-year-old faces serious allegations in a US legal filing. He is accused of paying himself $500,000 (£376,000) just eight days before Grand Slam Track (GST) went bankrupt.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

A spokesperson for GST has strongly denied the claim, calling it "unfounded and false" and stating the payment was a partial reimbursement for millions of dollars Johnson had personally advanced to cover the project's operating expenses.

Johnson's absence from the BBC was first noted during the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. At the time, his representative cited "other commitments" but expressed his eagerness to work with the broadcaster again.

However, it has now been reported that the BBC does not plan to include Johnson in its athletics programming for the current year.

In a statement, Michael Johnson's spokesperson clarified the situation, stating it was the athlete's own choice to step away.

"Michael wishes to clarify that it was his decision not to continue with the BBC after the Paris 2024 Games," the statement read.

"With his contract up for renewal after the Olympics, and Grand Slam Track launching soon after, he chose to focus fully on the project. The BBC understood his decision, and he remains grateful for their support and his longstanding relationship with the broadcaster."

Consequently, Johnson is not expected to feature in the coverage of this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The BBC's role at the event will be reduced, having lost the primary broadcasting rights to TNT Sports.

When launching GST last year, Johnson had ambitious plans to "bring fantasy to life" by creating a new league pitting the world's top track stars against each other for significant prize money.

However, the project struggled with low ticket sales and disappointing broadcast revenue, leading a major investor to withdraw support.

The league's final event in Los Angeles was cancelled, and GST filed for bankruptcy in December, reportedly leaving athletes owed millions in prize money and appearance fees. The legal filing alleges that Johnson transferred the $500,000 to himself despite knowing the project was on the brink of failure.

"Shockingly, Mr Johnson elected to secretly prefer himself over the athletes and other, non-insider creditors, while at the same time feigning to the public that he was selflessly looking to advance the interests of the athletes," stated lawyers for a committee of unsecured creditors.

In response, GST's spokesperson reiterated that the payment was a legitimate reimbursement. "As was previously explained to the UCC, Mr Johnson advanced millions of dollars for GST's operating expenses, including athlete travel, accommodation and costs, only a portion which was repaid through the reimbursement. It is unfortunate that the UCC chose to ignore facts and is instead attempting to discredit the company and Mr Johnson through false statements."