Josh Kerr, the former world 1500m champion, is reportedly owed $168,750 (£123,000) after the collapse of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) league. The competition folded in December 2025, leaving athletes and creditors unpaid.
Kerr is not alone. Several other British athletes are also reportedly owed money from the failed venture.
Athletes Left Out of Pocket
European 400m champion Matthew Hudson-Smith, who won world and Olympic silver medals in 2023 and 2024 respectively, is allegedly owed $147,500 (£107,500). Olympic silver medallist Daryll Neita is reportedly owed $28,750 (£21,000). Dina Asher-Smith, the 2019 200m world champion, is said to be owed $24,500 (£17,850).
Contracted runners had been promised lucrative prize money and salaries for participating in the GST’s inaugural season. However, the final event was cancelled, and the organisers later voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.
Kerr’s Frustration and Perspective
Speaking to BBC Sport, Josh Kerr expressed his frustration with the situation. “Of course I’m frustrated – I’m owed a lot of money,” he said.
“In any business, anyone is going to be frustrated [with that]. I just don’t particularly know right now where to push those frustrations and where they should sit.”
Despite the financial setback, Kerr offered a measured perspective. “I don’t think these are bad people. I’m standing with the people that I signed with. I think that they are good people. I think this is just a horrible situation.”
Accusations Against Michael Johnson
Legal documents filed with a bankruptcy court in the US include an accusation that Michael Johnson paid himself $500,000 (£375,000) eight days before the project collapsed. GST has called this claim “unfounded and false”.
The accusation was made in a filed objection on behalf of an official unsecured creditors committee (UCC). State lawyers said that the payment was made on June 4, 2025, shortly after the Philadelphia event and around a week before the cancellation of the Los Angeles event was announced.
Grand Slam Track’s Short-Lived Run
Three GST events were held – in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia – before the project collapsed in December 2025.
Michael Johnson has been a pundit and commentator for the BBC since 2001 but has not worked for the broadcaster since the Paris 2024 Olympics. Sources told BBC Sport there are no plans for him to appear on the BBC in 2026.
A spokesperson for Johnson said that it was his decision not to continue with the BBC after the Paris 2024 Games to focus fully on Grand Slam Track. The BBC understood his decision, and he remains grateful for their support and his long-standing relationship with the broadcaster.
The Association of Athletics Managers said in January that GST had debts of more than $30m (£22.5m).