Grand Slam Track Injects Economic Boost into Jamaica

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track Lands in Jamaica Backed by $30M, Secures Global TV Deals, and Attracts Local Investment. Top athletes have arrived in Kingston, while Teejay, Vanessa Bling, and Yaksta are set to entertain the audience

CEO and President of Grand Slam Track, Steve Gera, Legendary athlete Michael Johnson with Sharon Burke, CEO of Solid Agency, and Andrei Roper of KFC Jamaica

All set and ready, the ambitious Grand Slam series—led by American sprint legend Michael Johnson—is being billed as a "revolution" in track and field, kicking off this Friday in Kingston with its highly anticipated opening event.

But it's not just 17 Jamaican athletes who will be tackling the redesigned and revamped track at Kingston's National Stadium, but also 41 Olympic medalists with top athletes already arriving on the island on Wednesday for the opening event.

Representing Jamaica are Oblique Seville, Hansle Parchment, Alana Reid, Ackera Nugent, Kemba Nelson, Stacy-Ann Williams, Rushell Clayton, Nickisha Pryce, Shiann Salmon, Andrenette Knight, Danielle Williams, Natoya Goule-Toppin, Roshawn Clarke, Malik James-King, Ackeem Blake, Deandre Watkins, and Orlando Bennett.

Joining them are global standouts such as American women's 400-meter hurdles star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Olympic 200 champion Gabby Thomas, Fred Kerley, and many others.

57-year-old Johnson arrived in Jamaica for the opening event, which is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the island. The Grand Slam has partnered with KFC Jamaica, signing a sponsorship deal for the event and offering special combo meals to mark the occasion. It has also teamed up with urban clothing brand Cooyah for a limited-edition merchandise line celebrating Grand Slam Track Jamaica.

Also set to entertain attendees are local dancehall artists Teejay, Vanessa Bling, and Yaksta, along with popular DJs such as Kryptic, Koolface, Shantonio, DJ Nelly Swagg, and DJ Stuggie.

In a previous interview with The Times, four-time Olympic gold medalist Johnson dismissed concerns about the long-term viability of the Grand Slam Track series, expressing full confidence in the format’s potential to capture global attention once it gains momentum.

"I've started several successful businesses in my life and not a single one was profitable in Year 1," Johnson said. "That's not how you build businesses. But when you say we're going to get 48 of the best athletes in the world contracted to go head-to-head, people start to pay attention."

The circuit has secured an estimated $30 million in investor funding, along with major broadcasting deals—including coverage in the United States through The CW and NBC’s streaming platform, Eurosport across Europe and Asia, and TNT in the United Kingdom.