The latest chapter in track and field’s newest endeavor reads less like a sporting revolution and more like a quiet unraveling. When the Grand Slam Track (GST) was first announced, it carried with it the gleam of transformation. Positioned as a high-stakes, independently operated alternative to the Diamond League, it promised bold payouts and marquee appearances. Each stop of the series was slated to deliver up to $100,000 in prize money per event, with appearance fees rumored to reach $200,000. Organizers said they had raised $30 million to bring the project to life. However, as things have started to fall off, the Grand Slam Track has come out with a new stunt. And it has gone horribly wrong!
Starting off, the GST’s ambitions were never subtle. Yet from its opening meet in Kingston, Jamaica, the strain was visible. Attendance was sparse, logistics were clumsy, and basic accommodations, like accessible parking, were left to shuttle buses and improvisation.The situation has deteriorated further with each passing week. After an unremarkable turnout in Jamaica, a costly and chaotic stop in Miami, and the outright cancellation of the Los Angeles leg, the Philadelphia meet was left to carry more narrative weight than it deserved.
When GST quietly announced that the July 27 broadcast on NBC would feature “unforgettable” action from Franklin Field, seasoned followers immediately recognized the footage. This was not a live meet. This was a repackaged rerun. Every result was already public. Every race was already available. The response, particularly online, was swift and biting. How could such a transparent re-airing be promoted as a live highlight?
Viewers tuning in this weekend may assume they’re witnessing a fresh, live showcase from Philadelphia’s Franklin Field. In reality, they will be watching repackaged footage from nearly two months ago. Presented without clarification, context, or correction. The broadcast, touted as unmissable, is the very same meet already aired and uploaded in full. To fans who have supported the sport with both time and interest, this feels less like celebration and more like misdirection.
The stars showed out in Philly
Don’t miss the action from Grand Slam Track’s unforgettable weekend at Franklin Field! Catch the NBC special broadcast tomorrow, Sunday, July 27 from 4–6pm ET on NBC! pic.twitter.com/nVmIGGqEp8
— Grand Slam Track (@GrandSlamTrack) July 26, 2025
Behind this ill-considered broadcast decision is a deeper erosion of trust. Local governments have reported unpaid rental fees. Organizers have struggled to meet fundamental logistical obligations. Reports from Miramar, Florida revealed GST had not even settled venue costs following the Miami stop. Meanwhile, the decision to cancel the Los Angeles event. Largely to mitigate a projected $2 million loss, was not paired with clear communication to the public or the athletes. Instead, what was once heralded as a $12.6 million prize-rich tour has become a string of patchwork responses, incomplete deliverables, and growing frustration among all involved.
The NBC broadcast may reach new viewers. It may attract a casual audience unaware of the meet’s original airing. But among those who follow track and field with regularity, the move has landed poorly. It speaks to a disconnect between GST’s intentions and its execution. Worse, it diminishes the legitimacy of the competition itself, casting doubt on whether the series is being managed with any real foresight. For now, the Philadelphia broadcast stands as another awkward symbol of promise lost to mismanagement. And a reminder that trust, once shaken, does not return easily.
Grand Slam Track slammed by fans over fake broadcast and unpaid promises
As soon as the X post went public, fans flocked to the comments section. Despite canceling the Los Angeles meet to avoid a $2 million loss, GST never provided a proper update. This lack of transparency prompted fans to quip, “we still waiting on Grand Slam LA btw.” The sarcasm cuts deep—it reflects how even basic communication has collapsed, reinforcing how GST’s instability is eroding public trust.
With GST faltering and Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos gaining steam, one fan pleaded, “Please just team up with athlos and make the sport one…” Given the shared pool of athletes and similar ambitions, this reaction isn’t just about unification, it’s a cry for structural sanity in a fragmented sport, especially after GST’s chaotic execution and public relations stumbles.
Image via Instagram/@grandslamtrack
and @mjgold4
GST’s July 27 NBC broadcast was promoted as “unforgettable,” yet fans quickly recognized it was recycled from May. That led one to declare, “It’s actually insane how a re-broadcast of something that already aired…” The rebroadcast, offered without context, felt like a deceptive maneuver, triggering backlash over its outdated, tone-deaf strategy.
As financial irregularities surfaced, like unpaid venue costs in Miramar and mounting logistical failures, one fan cut through the noise and commented, “Pay The Athletes.” In a series promising $100,000 event prizes, this blunt demand underscores how unmet fiscal obligations have become the most glaring betrayal.
A fan’s blunt jab read, “Shameless admin”. Such a comment captures how tone-deaf GST’s online presence has felt. While organizers repackaged old content and ignored fundamental operational flaws, their promotional tone remained triumphant. This disconnect between social media polish and backstage dysfunction became symbolic of the mismanagement that fans are now loudly rejecting. Thus, with things looking concerning, it remains to be seen how things pan out in the future.
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