New League, Old Attitudes
Grand Slam Track was supposed to be a breakthrough moment for the sport — a bold, streamlined league built to excite fans and elevate athlete pay. Instead, it’s sparked controversy and division across the track and field world, especially among American pros.
Jamaica’s Warren Weir Has Had Enough
Olympic medalist Warren Weir didn’t hold back when addressing the criticism. As top American athletes slammed the league’s format and venue, Weir called out what he saw as damaging behavior:
**“Bro, you’re making money already — leave other people to come and take some.”**
‘This Doesn’t Look Good’ — Weir Warns of Fallout
Weir argued that the public slander was hurting more than just feelings.
**“It doesn’t look good to the fans. It doesn’t look good to the shareholders. It doesn’t look good to somebody who just pops up and goes to watch it,”** he said. In his view, athletes should be building up new opportunities — not tearing them down from the inside.
A League Trying to Evolve
Grand Slam Track, led by legend Michael Johnson, recently made a risky call — condensing its meet in Philadelphia from three days to two. But the gamble worked. Fans packed the stands, energy surged, and people skipped prom just to catch Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone live.
Streamlined, But Not Stress-Free
Cutting the meet length brought intensity, but it also forced athletes to recover faster and adapt quickly. Still, the response from fans and media was overwhelmingly positive — a sign that the sport can evolve if athletes and leaders work together.
A Bigger Conversation
The backlash is no longer just about format or venue — it’s exposing a deeper divide in the sport. With voices like Weir pushing for unity, the question now is whether track and field’s elite will embrace change or continue to clash over its future.
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