Rai Benjamin has agreed with Noah Lyles’ stance on Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, revealing three things that need to be altered before he can consider joining.
Reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin has aligned with Noah Lyles in pointing out fundamental flaws in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league, stating that significant changes are needed before they can consider participating.
Noah Lyles has consistently voiced his concerns about joining the league, particularly its lack of a strong broadcast deal.
In an interview, Lyles emphasized the importance of visibility in track and field, noting that even extraordinary performances would go unnoticed without proper TV coverage.
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Lyles likened the situation to the question, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?”
Lyles has also criticized the league’s scheduling and structure, specifically the back-to-back competitions early in the season, which he believes increase the risk of injury and make it difficult to maintain peak performance.
Additionally, he questioned the financial viability of the league, citing concerns over ticket prices and small venue capacities. While he admires Michael Johnson’s efforts to elevate the sport, Lyles remains skeptical about the league’s practicality and long-term sustainability.
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Benjamin, who co-hosts the Beyond The Records podcast alongside Lyles and fellow Olympic champion Grant Holloway, echoed these concerns.
“Me and Noah are on the same page on this: the scheduling. I did not like the scheduling and the back-to-back competitions that early in the year,” Benjamin shared on the podcast.
He explained that efforts to renegotiate the schedule were unsuccessful, adding, “If they consider changing the structure, then it makes sense.”
Benjamin further elaborated on the challenges posed by the current schedule, emphasizing the physical toll it could take.
He remarked that running a 44-second flat 400m race one day and hurdling the next could lead to injuries, particularly so early in the season.
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“I might run 44-low today and get sore tomorrow when I gotta go hurdle. Now I’m at risk of getting hurt in April,” he said.
Benjamin added that the Grand Slam Track league doesn’t provide the same financial benefits as winning medals and championships, which remain his priority. “Everyone’s main goal is to win a medal. No one will remember being Grand Slam Track champion in 2025,” Benjamin stated.
The Olympic champion also raised concerns about the league’s financial model, singling out Miami as a venue for one of the events. He questioned the feasibility of hosting a profitable meet there, suggesting that high ticket prices would deter attendees.
“Unless you’re buying those tickets for $1,500 a head, which no one in track and field will buy, you’re not making any money,” he remarked.
Benjamin concluded by advocating for increased investment in the Diamond League, which he believes already has a proven structure and global appeal.
“We have a format that works. Diamond League works. People can complain all about it all they want, but it actually works,” he said, urging stakeholders to enhance the Diamond League rather than introducing a new, less viable system.
