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Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian and Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track have started a feud over the nature of deals offered to athletes at their money-spinning track events.
A war is already simmering between athletics investors Alexis Ohanian and Michael Johnson-fronted Grand Slam Track following the launch of their big-money track events.
Ohanian, who recently had a successful Athlos NYC, a women’s-only track event where each winner was earning $60,000, fired the first salvo at Grand Slam Track, accusing the organizers and Johnson for curtaining the freedom of athletes.
His bone of contention is the claim that athletes who featured in his Athlos event are being forced out of Grand Slam Track due to some clauses in their contracts, something he has termed “unfortunate.”
“Great to see more people investing in athletics. It’s disappointing you’re requiring these women to get permission from you & Bill in order to compete in other leagues. It’s not very athlete-friendly,” Ohanian posted on X while tagging legendary US sprinter Michael Johnson, and billionaire investor Bill Ackman.
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11:54 - 04.10.2024
'Still a lot more to do' - Alexis Ohanian on his vision for Athlos women’s track meet involving field stars like Tara Davis-Woodhall
Alexis Ohanian has explained how he plans to expand the Athlos Women's track meet following the success of the inagural event.
Ohanian followed it up with another post, this time directed to Johnson, saying: “You’re an Olympic legend and I hope you’ll reconsider. It’s so much better for the sport to give these women more options and not fewer—especially while it’s still so under-invested-in.”
“I personally see prohibiting athletes from competing in another league as a sign of weakness,” Ohanian said in another post.
According to Front Office Sports, the contract offered to athletes by Grand Slam states that they need to “obtain prior written consent” to “engage in a Competing Sports League’s event” which, it defines a “Competing Sports League” as any track league with more than two events—excluding the Diamond League—“or other professional sports leagues like the National Football League.”
As per the contract, athletes do not need Grand Slam’s permission to race at the Olympics, world or national championships, and “primary sponsor meets and other traditional track meets.”
Grand Slam track fired back at Ohanian, without directly mentioning him: “It’s unfortunate that in this pivotal moment to elevate the sport, there are some newcomers who think the way to do this is to create controversy through distortions,” the spokesperson for Grand Slam Track said in a statement to Front Office Sports.
“We’re supportive of Grand Slam Track athletes competing in Diamond League events and any other one-off events that may arise. As the first track league to ever pay athletes a fair base salary and awarding the most prize money in the history of the sport, we continue to be in active conversations with athletes and agents to create a contractual framework that always puts the athletes first,” he added.
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17:58 - 26.09.2024
Muzala Samukonga becomes first African to join Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league
Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga became the first African to join Michael Johnson's money-minting track league after an impressive season, including winning Olympic bronze in the 400m.
While Athlos is a one-off event, Grand Slam Track plans to have four per year in 2025 with winners of each race set to pocket a minimum of $100,000 at every Slam (meet).
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