Grand Slam Track: Sha'Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred, and the top stars who snubbed the $12.6m league

Funmilayo Fameso 17:54 - 20 December 2024

Sha'Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, and Julien Alfred

Several top star sprinters opted to snub Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track. Here's a list of the notable names.

On Thursday, the last five of all 48 Racers for the Grand Slam Track were announced, while several top stars such as Sha'Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, and Julien Alfred chose to snub the money-splashing league.

The Grand Slam Track is a new professional league set up by the legendary Michael Johnson with lucrative contracts and prize money, and has many of the world's best such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas on the roster.

All 48 Grand Slam Track athletes for the inaugural 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/zzygZAJ6Xr
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) December 19, 2024

However, despite the publicity and change the league is proposed to bring to the sport next season, various top sprinters, including Olympic champions opted not to sign with the league, as there are beliefs there are no concrete values and benefits it brings to their career growth.

Athletics

'Just didn’t see a fit for us' - Rhasidat Adeleke reveals why Julien Alfred and coach Edrick Floreal snubbed Michael Johnson's GST League

The Grand Slam Track (GST) league spearheaded by four-time Olympic gold medalist and eight-time world champion Michael Johnson, will debut from April - September 2025, kicking off with four meets, also known as 'Slams' with $12.6 million available in prize money.

I couldn’t be more excited about this group! Athletes have complained about lack of compensation, guarantees, and big stage. We gave them exactly what they wanted and these 48 said “I’M IN, LET’s GO!” And I appreciate them for that. https://t.co/DbCMLQt48t
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) December 19, 2024