Michael Johnson has fired back at Noah Lyles & Rai Benjamin for doubting Grand Slam Track’s credibility after securing a major broadcast deal ahead of its Kingston debut!
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league is slowly taking shape ahead of its debut in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday, April 4.
Prior to the debut, Michael Johnson announced a groundbreaking partnership that confirmed that the CW Network would be the exclusive US broadcast home of Grand Slam Track and that Peacock would be the exclusive streaming home of Grand Slam Track.
Following the update, Michael Johnson scoffed at the doubters for questioning why there was no broadcast deal yet while days were fast approaching.
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Initially, Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin were among the thousands of people who expressed doubt concerning the broadcasting of the event and explained that it was the major reason they were yet to sign up for the event.
Clapping back at them, Michael Johnson shared a tweet on X saying: “Thanks track fans, for your patience while we negotiated broadcast deals to make @GrandSlamTrack the most accessible track series ever! I appreciate your support!
“To the doubters and 🤡 (you know who you are), you did it to yourself. Look at the bio! 😂.”
In a past interview, Noah Lyles explained that he had been in talks with the relevant people concerning the Grand Slam Track League but there was no substantial information on broadcasting.
He admitted that it was a great initiative but was reluctant to join the team without having an idea of how people would watch him compete.
“The thing that’s stopping me at the heart of it is I have yet to hear of a TV provider. Again, what good is it if we’re producing these great times, great shows, these great rivalries and we have nobody seeing it?” he asked in an interview on the Night Cap show.
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“Now we’re in the same problem we’re in with the Diamond Leagues and World Championships. I need to hear a TV provider and I need to know that it’s going to be seen consistently.”
On his part, Rai Benjamin also expressed uncertainty about signing with Michael Johnson’s initiative, citing a series of challenges among them a TV broadcaster.
The Olympic 400m hurdles champion explained that the format is also unrealistic since athletes will be subjected to many races earlier in the season and there is also too much moving around.
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“It starts next year and have you guys, I haven’t heard anything about a TV deal in all honesty. So it’s just like…I don’t know. I really don’t know. So that’s all I gotta say about that, to be honest. But I don’t think I will sign,” he told Letsrun.com.
Grand Slam Track has already signed 48 Racers who will compete against 48 Challengers, yet to be announced. They will compete in one of the following event groups including the short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), and long sprints (200m/400m).
The long hurdles (400H/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m) have also been included.
The winner of each Slam event group will walk away with $100,000 in prize money, while the eighth-placed competitor will pocket $10,000.
