“Nothing better than a packed grandstand of fans, iconic backdrop, and thrilling races!” That’s how Grand Slam Track CEO Michael Johnson summed up the electric atmosphere at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field on May 31. His words, posted on X alongside a snapshot of the vibrant scene, perfectly captured the moment — the scarlet track, the roaring crowd, and the crisp, early-summer air setting the stage for a powerful start to GST’s third edition. And it wasn’t just hype — the numbers spoke, too. Track and field experts confirmed that the Philly stop drew significantly larger crowds than the league’s debut in Kingston, Jamaica, just a month earlier. The enthusiasm wasn’t lost on the athletes either.
For Anna Cockrell, it was a homecoming to remember. Years ago, she was just a student-athlete competing at Franklin Field. This time, she returned as a star, welcomed with thunderous applause. “It’s so fun running in front of a really, really engaged crowd,” she said after her race. “I mean, the second we walked out they were excited.” Everything seemed to click on the track — thrilling finishes, a buzzing crowd, and the kind of energy that makes sports magical. But off the track? Not everything went as smoothly.
Fans across the U.S. voiced frustration over the broadcast experience. Despite Johnson’s clear mission to make GST accessible to everyone, many couldn’t find it on traditional TV. One disgruntled viewer summed it up bluntly on X: “they got this grand slam track & field event streaming on peacock bro who the fu** has a peacock subscription why cant i watch this shit on tv.” It wasn’t an isolated complaint. As GST partnered with Peacock, The CW, and Eurosport to stream across different regions, American fans found themselves left out or forced behind a paywall. Another track fan echoed the growing sentiment online: “Peacock sucks, sports broadcasting is cooked these days.”
they got this grand slam track & field event streaming on peacock bro who the fuck has a peacock subscription why cant i watch this shit on tv
— Ansem (@blknoiz06) June 1, 2025
For an event aiming to modernize track and field and bring it to the masses, this was a clear misstep — one that the league and NBC may need to revisit quickly if they want to maintain momentum both on and off the track. However, the authorities have yet to address the issue, and the Day 2 races are already underway. Then is there a bigger storm waiting for the authorities of GST and NBC from the track and field fans? It appears so, as fans left several angry reactions on social media.
The track and field sports fans call NBC ‘dumb’
“It’s so f*** dumb,” That blunt take from a frustrated track and field fan on X summed up what many were feeling during Grand Slam Track’s Philly edition — a thrilling meet that was, for many, frustratingly out of reach.
The issue? Despite NBC being more affordable than FloTrack, viewers were still slammed with a paywall through Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. For an event that promised broad accessibility, this felt like a betrayal to fans who were eager to tune in — and expected more.
One fan didn’t hold back the sarcasm, posting: “Peacock? More like Pea-CAN’T-watch! Guess I’ll just sprint to the nearest sports bar instead!” It wasn’t just a joke — it reflected a bigger truth. A 2024 poll showed that most American fans still prefer traditional television for watching sports. But with GST locked behind Peacock, many felt stranded and started looking for alternatives.
That’s when the conversation turned to a new platform: X. “need to do live broadcasts on X,” someone suggested — and it wasn’t far-fetched. Last year, Noah Lyles streamed his adidas Atlanta City Games live on X, completely free. Athlos NYC followed suit. Both were praised for their accessibility and wide reach. Could GST follow that path? “Good question,” someone replied on X — but no one had a clear answer.
For a league trying to bring track and field back into the spotlight, the message is loud and clear: fans are ready to cheer, but they need a front-row seat that doesn’t come with a subscription fee. Whether that seat is on traditional TV or streaming free on X, the clock is ticking for GST to figure it out.
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