The BBC has confirmed it will not utilize Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist, in its athletics coverage for the current year, following the collapse of his Grand Slam Track league (GST).
The decision comes after GST filed for bankruptcy in December 2025, leaving numerous athletes and creditors unpaid. The league, launched with promises of substantial prize money and salaries, cancelled its final event before the bankruptcy filing in a US court in Delaware. Johnson had not worked for the BBC since the Paris 2024 Olympics, dedicating his focus to the development of GST.
According to legal documents filed with the bankruptcy court, significant debts remain outstanding to several prominent athletes. Josh Kerr, the former world 1500m champion, is reportedly owed $168,750 (£123,000). European 400m champion Matthew Hudson-Smith is listed as being owed $147,500 (£107,500), while Olympic silver medalist Daryll Neita is owed $28,750 (£21,000). The Association of Athletics Managers estimates total GST debts exceed $30 million (£22.5 million).
A spokesperson for Johnson stated that his decision to step away from the BBC was made after the Paris 2024 Games, coinciding with the launch of GST. The BBC reportedly understood and supported his decision, acknowledging their long-standing relationship. Johnson himself had been a BBC pundit and commentator since 2001.
The BBC has not commented on whether the financial difficulties of GST directly influenced their decision not to renew Johnson’s contract. No plans are currently in place for Johnson to appear in BBC athletics coverage in 2026.
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