There has been a lot of talk this year about new track “leagues” that are scheduled to begin in 2025. Let me begin by saying that people that know me know that I’m a stickler for accuracy and correct “wording”, because in my education I was taught very sternly that, “words have meaning” so use them properly. From that perspective, there are no “leagues” in track and field. In professional sports terms, and the intent here is to make track more professional and lucrative for athletes, a league would be a contained system in which there would be teams and/or individuals that are contracted to play only against each other – captive employees. That is not what we’re currently seeing. As a matter of fact, nothing like that currently exists in track and field.
The best attempt to date at establishing a track “league” was back in the 1970’s. The goal was to professionalize what was then an “amateur” only sport. Without going into too much detail, the “International Track Association” (ITA) was based in the US and was started by a gentleman (Michael O’Hara) with experience in the ABA and WHA. The ITA was able to secure some of the sports’ top stars of the day – John Smith, Brian Oldfield, Herb Washington, Rod Milburn, Marty Liquori, and Ben Jipcho to name a few – and run a circuit of meets in the US and Canada. It actually lasted from 1972 thru 1976. They even had very successful televised meets. The “problem” was that the governing bodies of the day (IAAF and AAU), aggressively fought against the league. They wouldn’t accept their performances, even though 34 world records were set. The “push back” by those governing bodies, made it difficult for the ITA to continue to raise money. As it gave the ITA a negative look to potentially investors. Then the athletes were threatened with losing their Olympic eligibility if they continued as “professionals”. This effectively put an end to the ITA as no one wanted to be banned from the Olympics.
Unfortunately there is nothing resembling that today. Frankly because of the way that the sport is structured – with the bulk of money controlled by sources outside of the sport itself – developing a true “league” would be extremely difficult. That would require the recruitment of “owners” or investors, with deep pockets (essentially nine digit millionaires, or wealthier) able to fund a league of eight or more “teams”, or the equivalent number of individual athletes. Not impossible, but a difficult endeavor to undertake. As I stated in my previous post however, getting more money into track is what’s necessary to get the sport’s top athletes competing more. Which should in turn improve visibility, audiences, and fan base.
This is why I’m encouraged by the announcements of new competitions coming in 2025. What we are currently witnessing, is the attempted development of some new “series”. Similar to what exists in NASCAR, which has groups of races, with points, payouts, champions, etc. NASCAR has a Cup series, Xfinity series, Canada series, Challenge series, etc. We could have the Diamond circuit, plus others for track and field. To be honest, I thought that this is what USATF had in mind when they hired Max Siegel, as the federation CEO. As he came from NASCAR. But I digress.
At any rate, what we call the Diamond League, is really a “series” of competitions that I would actually call a circuit. Which is exactly what we used to call the meets in Europe – the European circuit. To that end I believe we need as many “Circuits”, “Series”, or “Tours” (as in golf) that can be developed. Especially outside of Europe, as that is currently where the bulk of financially lucrative events are held. Nothing against Europe, as those competitions sustain many athletes. However, for many North American and even South American athletes, the cost of travel and housing to compete in Europe can take a substantial bite out of earnings. Just as many Europeans find it cost prohibitive to come to the US for a single payday for one Diamond League competition. These are among the reasons that WA CEO Sebastian Coe, suggested that USATF develop several high level competitions within the United States. Though primarily he was looking at increasing visibility and fan base ahead of our hosting of the 2028 Olympics. Creating additional competitions with earning potential makes it easier for athletes in the US to be home, training while making a living.
To that end, I’m a fan of Gabby Thomas’ upcoming women’s only track meet – the 776 Invitational. Gabby has paired up with the husband of tennis star, Serena Williams (Alexis Ohanian) to create the meet. Ohanian has a history of advocating for improving women’s sports, so he and his venture captitol firm, Seven Seven Six, is supporting Gabby in this endeavor. He’s the largest shareholder of the women’s professional soccer team, Angel City FC; and is investing in an Oregon based women’s sports bar, to franchise it through his foundation, 776. So the women’s only track meet is a perfect fit. I mention all of this because it’s my belief that there are many such opportunities out there – individuals with the financial where with all, to help fund additional growth in the sport here at home. Individuals that are interested in a specific facet of the sport. We just have to think a bit outside of the box. By the way, payouts in this meet for each event will be $60,000 for 1st, $25,000 for 2nd, and $10,000 for 3rd place. Compared to Diamond League payouts of $10,000, $6,000, and $3,000 for the same finishes. A significant upgrade over what athletes are accustomed to earning. Just a few meets of this caliber would make a profound difference in the sport!
I’m also intrigued with Michael Johnson’s, Grand Slam Track League. Though less seems to be solidified. From what I’ve been able to research, it’s scheduled to be four meets over the course of the year. One in Los Angeles. Another at an unnamed location in the US. Two in locations to be named in Europe. The four meets will be held sometime between April and September. No field events will be contested. Events will be 100m thru 5000m, including both hurdles and a 3000m. Athletes will be required to run twice per meet – 100/200, 200/400, 110H/100, 400H/400, 800/1500, 3000/5000. There will be 96 athletes competing. Half will be on contract (amount unknown), half not on contract (running for prize money only). Prize money will be paid from 1st thru 8th, in amounts of $100,000, $50,000, $30,000, $25,000, $20,000, $15,000, $12,000, and $10,000. Johnson has secured $30 million in funding through a partnership with a group called the Winners Alliance. And he has said that raising awareness of the sport, marketing of the athletes, and televising the events will be a priority.
The key to both of these projects is the infusion of money they are bringing to track and field. One, it’s the kind of dollars that makes athletes eager to compete. The second thing I like, is that more high paying events, means the potential for more athletes to make really good money. A rising tide lifts all ships, and there are a lot of athletes barely surviving in this sport. This will give many of them an opportunity to make some decent money. While Johnson’s league will offer the highest ever payouts in the sport, it has been received with a bit of negativity. Primarily the complaint that it completely discounts field events! Johnson’s response that it’s because they’re difficult to televise, did not make it any better.
That said, there is nothing preventing the development of other “select” field event competitions. The Decastar meet in Talence is a multis only competition, for example, and is quite successful. Ryan Crouser has already said that he’s working on a shot put meet/circuit. Personally, I could see a field event series being very lucrative given the number of stars competing in field events. Crouser, Mondo Duplantis, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Malaika Mihambo, Yulimar Rojas and Mykolas Alekna are among the biggest stars in the sport. All competitions don’t have to be the same. I find it interesting that no one complained about Gabby’s meet not having men. Truth is, that’s fine. As “odd” as a meet without field events feels, that’s ok too. There are enough disciplines and athletes to “package” them into sellable events. Actually creating some variety and selection. At the end of the day, doing so could be good for the sport. When you look at it, the Diamond League rarely has a “complete” meet! They are all “partials”. Basically half meets, but no one complains. Personally I prefer a full meet schedule, but some may prefer a half schedule. A woman’s only or men’s only will be attractive to some fans. As would all sprint, all distance, or all field competitions. Whatever the configuration, what’s important is having top level competition and providing competitors adequate compensation. When world leaders, record holders, Olympic and World medalists compete fans attend and tune in.
Just some thoughts. I also see what Gabby and Michael are doing as good for the sport overall. Frankly, as I started earlier, “expansion” is actually needed outside of Europe. At this point in the evolution of the sport, we can use more “additions” that involve infusions of money. More financially sound meets, series, circuits. In this way there will be more financial opportunities available for athletes to choose from. In a free market environment, that does create competition for talent, which in turn creates the need for those conducting meets to improve their payouts to secure this talent! We’ve seen this already with the Diamond League stating that it is substantially increasing its payouts for 2025! This is good for the sport. I mean, apparently they didn’t see a need to pay the athletes better until someone else did so! Makes you think a bit!
While we’re talking about “additions”, the US could benefit from the creation of such a series/tour. Something along the lines of six to eight meets with adequate to prime payouts. This would benefit both athletes and fans.There are easily enough elite level athletes in North America alone to support something of this nature. Given the current structure and set up of meets within track and field, I think what’s needed is more partnering with corporations or groups, to develop these individual, high paying, sustainable competitions. For example, just as Nike sponsors the Prefontaine Classic, why aren’t there similar meets sponsored by Adidas, New Balance, Puma, Asics, Under Armour, or even a collaboration of companies? Or how about a corporate collab? Like a Bank One, Capitol One, FedEx Invitational? Corporations love having their names associated with sporting events. The funding models developed by Gabby and Michael are also unique and worth “mimicking” in some fashion. Doing so prior to and during the upcoming Olympic season in 2028 (plenty of time to plan and put together) would be tremendous advertising for corporations and business people here in the US.
I can also envision something similar in South American cities. Between the two “America’s” – north and south – there are more than enough athletes to support another six to eight meet series in South America as well. Not that either of these has to be restricted to athletes from their individual continents. On the contrary. Depending on the set up, athletes from anywhere in the world could, and should be invited to participate! The idea being to build the sport. I’m looking at the overall potential of sponsorships world wide, supporting “local” continental based meets. To provide addition reasons for sponsors to invest. At the same time, providing incentive for athletes to participate. It’s always easier to compete closer to home. Which is why having everything in Europe becomes problematic for the sport.
This will become increasingly important with Worlds and the Olympics being scheduled as the final meet of the year. Being able to compete close to home up until the “last minute” before having to leave and acclimate to a new time zone for the championship meet, would be huge! Completely changing training/competition schedules. Eliminating something that’s always been a disadvantage previously – especially for athletes in North, South, and Central America.
As you can see, I’m excited about these new meets/series that are being added next year. Hopefully it’s just the beginning.This is the type of vision and planning that should be coming out of World Athletics and USATF. As I stated in my previous post, the sport is not broken, it’s simply under funded. We need our top athletes competing regularly and in order to achieve that, we have to compensate them accordingly! That means more well financed competitions. I applaud Gabby Thomas and Michael Johnson on their upcoming meets. Expansion of the sport is necessary. Now if the alphabets will just get on board!