Many people in our sport watch the Grand Slam Track series, whose editions on thirty different RACERS have caused a stir like few others. Deji Ogeyingbo sent us this piece because 19 and 20 were the names of the athletes, but his theme is true.
What Grand Slam Track does with social media, athlete interviews and fun posters is getting noticed. We’ll see how they name the final eighteen racers and 48 competitors.
How will Grand Slam Track continue to generate interest in its brand?
Grand Slam circuit faces tough challenge as it fills star-studded roster
Launching next year, the new Grand Slam Track (GST) event, founded by Michael Johnson, has taken the athletics world by storm, signing up some of the sport’s biggest names. But even with all the star power, maintaining that elite level of talent can be more difficult. As GST announced their 19th and 20th athletes, Akera Nugent and Roshon Clarke, they completed the women’s short hurdles group, adding the final piece to an impressive list. (Editor’s Note: GST has now named 21-30 athletes.).
For a company whose tagline is “only the fastest,” they’ve largely lived up to the hype. GST’s roster includes Olympic and World Championship medalists and athletes such as Sydney McLaughlin-LeVron, Fred Curley and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. These athletes have proven they can compete on the biggest stages and win. However, as GST continues to expand its roster, some recent signings have raised questions about whether they can sustain this superiority long-term.
Athletics is competitive and while GST wants to continue signing top athletes, it is starting to push the limits of who it can sign. For example, Nikki Hiltz, who finished seventh in the 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is one of the few athletes on her roster who did not finish in the top four at a recent world event. While Hiltz secured World Indoor silver, his signing deviated slightly from GST’s original all-medal approach.
The challenge is clear. To remain “only the fastest”, GST must continue to attract athletes who consistently finish in the top four at world championships or the Olympics. But there are only so many top athletes and competition for their signature is fierce. Athletics does not have the same flexibility as a team sport. There are only four spots in each event group, making it difficult to keep signing new talent without delisting someone.
For example, Nugent finished 5th in the 100m hurdles at the 2023 World Championships and did not finish in the Olympic final. While Clark finished fourth in the 400m hurdles at the 2023 World Championships, she is still looking for her first medal. These are still elite athletes, but with every 5th or 6th place entry, GST moves away from the ideal list of only the top four.
And then there’s the financial reality. Signing the best of the best comes at a cost. These athletes don’t come cheap, and if more elite runners pay, the costs add up quickly. The money spent to keep the medal winning team is huge. at some point GST will have to face the music. As The Rolling Stones once sang, “You can’t always get what you want.” They want the fastest, but the deeper they go into the global talent pool, the harder it becomes to lock in those top names.
There is a challenge in keeping athletes happy. Most of the stars of this song are used to being the face of their brand or team. But with so many big names on one roster, egos can collide, and managing that relationship is no small feat. After all, when you have multiple athletes in the same event, someone will be number two, and only some are comfortable playing second fiddle.
The great news for GST is that, even with these hurdles, they are still signing some of the biggest names in the sport. Filling out the women’s short hurdles group with athletes such as Masai Russell, Sirena Samba-Mayela and Camacho-Quinn gives them a formidable lineup for their inaugural season. The short hurdles may be their first group of events to be added, but other events such as the long hurdles and sprints are not far behind.
Ultimately, the success of GST will depend on a balance of star power, strategic signatures and smart financial planning. Right now they are on top of the game (in terms of publicity and branding), but the question remains. can they stay there? The first year will certainly give more insight. Will they keep their “single fastest” mantra alive in a sport where talent is plentiful but precisely elite talent is rare? It’s not perfect, but we’re watching.
