Marathon Handbook Podcast A Track League With $12 Million in Prize Money – Is It Enough?
The Grand Slam Track League is here – but is it actually working?
In this special episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, hosts Michael, Alex, and Caitlin break down everything you need to know about Michael Johnson’s ambitious new league. We dive into how it compares to the Diamond League, explore its bold innovations (like guaranteed prize money, racer vs. challenger formats, and athlete branding), and debate whether it’s doing enough to revolutionize track and field.
We also ask:
- Is GST attracting enough viewers and athletes to stay alive?
- What’s holding it back from becoming a household name?
- How can it evolve to become the NBA or NFL of track?
- Should they adopt a team franchise model and bring in drafts, free agency, and a fantasy ecosystem?
Plus, we play commissioner for a day and pitch wild (but serious!) ideas that could actually change the future of the sport.
Whether you’re already hooked or just Grand Slam curious, this is your essential guide to the most disruptive experiment in modern track and field.
(01:02) What is the Grand Slam Track League?
(02:50) Format, events, and why it’s different from the Diamond League
(05:10) Recapping Kingston & Miami — early hits and misses
(07:12) Is GST living up to the hype so far?
(09:45) The big vision: Can GST become track’s version of the NBA?
(12:00) Growing pains and how athletes are reacting
(14:20) Broadcast issues and missed opportunities
(16:00) Athlete branding: How GST is helping runners become stars
(20:30) The Racer vs. Challenger model explained
(23:10) Athlete pay: Is this the end of underpaid pros?
(24:45) What’s working: prize money, structure, presentation
(26:30) The problem with empty stands
(28:21) Should we worry about attendance?
(29:41) Buy, Sell, or Hold: GST as a stock market metaphor
(33:00) Is the hype fading already?
(35:00) GST vs. Diamond League — real differences
(38:50) Creating rivalries and new storylines
(41:06) If we ran GST: Big changes from the pod team
(44:08) Should GST scrap the 2-event format?
(46:00) How to get fans in the stands
(49:20) Fantasy teams, free agency, and a full pro ecosystem
(53:15) Can GST make the Olympics irrelevant?
(57:38) Could trail and ultra running adopt this model?
(01:01:10) A fantasy draft for GST?
(01:01:47) What’s next: Philadelphia and LA events
(01:03:00) Final thoughts and what GST needs to thrive
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