Founder Michael Johnson says the 2026 season of Grand Slam Track (GST) will not happen until the outstanding prize money for athletes from the first season is paid.

GST, which began in Jamaica with low turnout, had been advertised to athletes and viewers on the premise that athletes would be fairly and swiftly compensated, noted GST founder Michael Johnson in a Friday statement.

“This situation of not being able to pay our athletes and partners has been one of the most difficult challenges I have ever experienced,” he said.

It had offered large financial incentives, with up to US$100,000, but Johnson said that GST had set dated payment timelines and had not been able to meet them.

The final event in the inaugural GST season, set for Los Angeles, was cancelled in June because of economic concerns.

Johnson said that the GST team was putting systems in place to ensure the issue did not recur.

“Winners are defined by how they respond to setbacks, and our team has responded with the fight and commitment to make this right. We are doing the work required to secure the right capital partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of Grand Slam Track. That starts with paying the athletes and satisfying our outstanding debt in order to continue the momentum toward a better future for athletes, fans and the league.”

Continued Johnson, “I have spent the last several weeks meeting with excited investors who see the value of Grand Slam Track and believe, just as we do, that track deserves a prominent place in global sports. That said, this process takes time. The reality of our business and the world is that it’s complex and is hard to rush, especially with long-term investments and selecting the right partner is so important to this project. So, I’m asking for your continued grace, patience and encouragement as we navigate this next chapter.”