Grand Slam Track Wows Philly Fans—But Peacock Streaming Sparks Viewer Outrage
On May 31, Grand Slam Track (GST) brought the heat to Philadelphia’s historic Franklin Field. With roaring crowds, iconic scenery, and pulse-pounding races, the atmosphere was everything CEO Michael Johnson had promised—and more. “Nothing better than a packed grandstand of fans, iconic backdrop, and thrilling races!” he declared on X, sharing a vibrant photo of the energized venue. Compared to GST’s debut in Kingston, Jamaica, this third edition saw a noticeable uptick in attendance and engagement.
For athletes like Anna Cockrell, the energy was electric. Having once raced here as a student-athlete, she returned as a star, welcomed by loud cheers. “It’s so fun running in front of a really, really engaged crowd,” she said, reflecting the powerful connection between performers and the packed stands.
they got this grand slam track & field event streaming on peacock bro who the fuck has a peacock subscription why cant i watch this shit on tv
— Ansem 🐂🀄️ (@blknoiz06) June 1, 2025
But while the stadium delivered, screens across the U.S. didn’t.
As fans scrambled to catch the action from home, they were hit with an unexpected barrier: Peacock. The NBC-owned platform, while more affordable than FloTrack, still required a subscription. And for an event built on the promise of accessibility, that didn’t sit well with many. Frustrated viewers took to social media. “They got this grand slam track & field event streaming on Peacock bro who the fu** has a Peacock subscription why can’t I watch this sh*t on TV,” one post read bluntly.
Others echoed the sentiment: “Peacock? More like Pea-CAN’T-watch!” And the backlash wasn’t just about inconvenience—it was about broken expectations. Viewers who’d been promised accessible coverage now felt excluded, with one calling the broadcast strategy “so f*** dumb.”
The reaction hinted at a broader issue in modern sports media: fans still want traditional TV access. In fact, a 2024 survey showed most American sports fans prefer tuning in via cable or network channels rather than behind a paywall.
Suggestions flooded in, with one clear alternative gaining traction—X (formerly Twitter). Last year, Noah Lyles streamed the adidas Atlanta City Games live on X for free, and Athlos NYC did the same. Fans loved it. Now they’re asking: why can’t GST follow that example?
GST’s current broadcast partners—Peacock, The CW, and Eurosport—have yet to comment. But with Day 2 already underway and viewer frustration mounting, GST and NBC may soon face a decision: stick with the current strategy or pivot to a platform that offers free, global reach?
Track and field has always been about connection—between athletes and fans, between performance and passion. Right now, fans are ready to show up. But they need a front-row seat they can actually reach.