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✍️ I am a journalist at The Athletic 🏆 British Sports Writer of the Year 🇺🇸 Recently relocated to NYC
GST and Winners Alliance continue to insist they believe in the idea and are seeking further funding. The full remarkable inside story as a track legend scrambles to salvage his reputation and his league. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
Further big payments owed to multiple contractors, facilities and World Athletics (for use of rights and rankings). GST has cut members of exec team and reduced staff pay. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
Even now, the only money paid out by GST to athletes is promotional fees from Jamaica; prize money still not paid, and all fees for Miami and Philly not paid. Some agents considering legal action, others more patient. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
Yet Eldridge sources insist their concerns centred on the business model; a reliance on event-day revenue which then became a bigger problem when Jamaica meet underwhelmed. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
The Philly meet was almost cancelled: still in balance 10 days before the event. In agent calls, MJ blamed payment delays first on drug testing delays, then cited world economic turmoil as dissuading investors. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
While cause for optimism with Eldridge deal sheet; Johnson knew before Jamaica funding not guaranteed & agents/athletes were not informed before Miami & Philly meets that funding was an issue, even as business class travel + $12.6m prize pot remained www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
While GST went public last year declaring they had $30m+ “secured financial commitments”, the truth, they & lead investors Winners Alliance now concede, is they had $13m with WA having the OPTION of investing a further $19m. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
Exclusive;
What really happened at Michel Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which owes athletes millions
💰GST never had $30m+ cash in 1st place 💵Todd Boehly’s Eldridge backed away from non-binding term sheet for up to $40m to rescue GST after opening meet in Kingston
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
NEW: 🎰 FIFA was in advanced talks with venues in Vegas to host World Cup draw 🫡 But Trump admin insisted on Kennedy Center in DC - a venue he is now chairing & shaping - & Infantino fell into line, despite numerous FIFA officials preferring Vegas option www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
The venue was suggested by Trump's administration, and Infantino fell into line, despite numerous FIFA officials preferring Las Vegas.
Venues in Vegas received generic “thank you, but no thank you” email from FIFA on Friday, hours before announcement, as Infantino went to news briefing where Trump suggested Putin would like to come to the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA declined to comment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
The venue was suggested by Trump's administration, and Infantino fell into line, despite numerous FIFA officials preferring Las Vegas.