Scottish 1500m world champion Josh Kerr has revealed he is still owed more than £162,000 ($218,000) in prize money by the now-bankrupt Grand Slam Track (GST) league. Despite the significant financial shortfall, the 28-year-old athlete insists he bears no ill will towards the project or its founder, Olympic legend Michael Johnson, and would support its return if restructured.
A Bold Vision That Ended in Bankruptcy
Grand Slam Track was an ambitious professional athletics league founded by Michael Johnson, designed to offer athletes a consistent, high-profile platform with lucrative earnings. The concept involved contracted stars like Kerr facing invited challengers in high-stakes meets, with winners of each Slam group taking home $100,000. The league promised a total of $12.6 million in annual prize money, plus appearance fees.
However, the venture filed for bankruptcy last month, leaving millions owed to creditors. Court documents indicated GST's assets were worth up to $50,000, against liabilities estimated between $10 million and $50 million. Kerr is among several athletes awaiting payment, stating to Daily Mail Sport that he is still owed around 40% of his earnings from the league.
Kerr's Stance: Understanding But Concerned for Others
While personally impacted, Kerr expressed more concern for less-established competitors. "I'm lucky, I know how to budget," he said. "There are a lot of athletes who went, who might not be sponsored, or still have jobs, and that's kind of where I get upset, to be honest."
He emphasised that the league's collapse particularly affects emerging talents building their careers. "Some people and some of the big companies owed will be fine. Everyone else, some of the challengers that were coming in, they're the ones I'd prefer got paid, personally," Kerr added.
Faith in the Concept and Its Founder
Despite the financial fallout, Kerr remains a supporter of the Grand Slam Track model. He stated he is "not at all angry" with Johnson or the organisers and believes the concept pushed the wider sport of athletics forward, helping to increase prize money in other competitions like the Diamond League.
"I really don't see why not [returning]," Kerr said regarding a potential comeback for GST. "It gives power to the athletes and that's what I care about." He compared the situation to golf's LIV Golf series, suggesting competition is healthy for the sport.
Kerr, who won 1500m races at GST events in Miami and Philadelphia, placed his trust in Michael Johnson to ultimately make things right. "I believe in Michael, I believe in these systems... I still truly believe that they'll make it right. Michael will make it right and I still have faith in him," he concluded, while acknowledging that "some mistakes were made" in the league's execution.
