Hard to believe the American Track League is gonna stay in the top spot of the longest existence of series / circuits / "leagues" over the past 15-20 years.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
I'll give them some credit for trying something different. Better than complaining
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Athlos PR person spotted.
All Athlos has done so far is one track meet/Meghan thee stallion concert in a small, half-empty stadium. Way too early to declare any sort of victory.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Hi Patrick Magyar! How does it feel knowing everyone hates you?
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Michael Johnson will forever be remembered for his dominance on the track. But off the track, his attempt to reshape the sport may go down as one of the most disappointing ventures in athletic entrepreneurship. In contrast, Alexis Ohanian has shown that with the right approach—even without prior experience—a new era in track and field is possible.
This post was edited 18 seconds after it was posted.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Michael Johnson will forever be remembered for his dominance on the track. But off the track, his attempt to reshape the sport may go down as one of the most disappointing ventures in athletic entrepreneurship. In contrast, Alexis Ohanian has shown that with the right approach—even without prior experience—a new era in track and field is possible.
You mean an era of no men? Not exactly a great achievement!
For those who have never been involved in Angel investing or start ups there’s a big difference between 30 million in financial commitments and having raised 30 million. Raising 30 million means the round closed and you have 30 million. 30 million in financial commitments mean investors have said they will invest 30 million. A lot can happen between commitments and funding
>> Chief content officer Rick Qualliotine and chief live event officer John Porco have left the company, according to sources familiar with the situation
I'm worried about the future of GST... but this is a nothingburger. The event presentation was one of their weakest aspects of GST in Year 1. These guys were probably fired to make way for better hires.
This post was edited 28 seconds after it was posted.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
Your mistake is in not realizing what a lot of people have plainly suggested. You actually believe that GST was an unintentional failure? Of course it wasn't. Michael Johnson, Kyle Merber, and investor Bill Ackman pulled off a scam. It was obvious to anyone with half a brain from the moment GST was announced and the details and prize money were announced.
It was simple. "Let's have four meets in four prime locations and let's lure Olympic athletes by promising them $100,000 if they place best in a two-event double combo. Their agreement to participate automatically captures their sponsors who will want to advertise and pay us millions to run ads and display their logos. We also will get money from broadcasting services and other advertisers along with ticket sales. At the last minute we can use the excuse of low ratings or anything else to cancel the last meet and make up further excuses to not pay the athletes. "Civil Unrest in LA" gave these crooks another excuse even though it wouldn't have affected the meet at all and made no sense.
Now time will give these crooks the opportunity to conceal and embezzle as much revenue as possible, cook the accounting books, and file bankruptcy claiming they don't have the funds to pay the promised prize money. The whole thing is an obvious swindle. Why can't you see this? You are completely misinterpreting the events as Michael Johnson being in over his head and creating a catastrophic business failure, but the evidence points to this being a large con job.
As unlikeable as they may be, one must give credit where it is due to Sha 'Carri and Noah for not falling for what they clearly saw as a ruse from the get-go. I bet anything Sydney probably saw right through this sham but cleverly used the opportunity to compete in off events, build her brand, and maybe demand further fees from her endorsements.
This whole thing has FRAUD written all over it in capital letters. If MJ did really mastermind this operation, I must say the elaborate idea and planning is an impressive con-job, though without a doubt criminal and immoral. He does seem like kind of an idiot though, so it is more likely the brains of this operation and the originator was likely Ackman or some investment crooks behind the scenes who planned the whole thing and just convinced MJ and used him for his name and recognition.
Michael Johnson could have left T&F with a legacy of four Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, and world records at both 200m and 400m. Now he will be known for creating a terrible failure of a track league that will probably end up failing to pay its athletes.
Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, a man with zero track experience, created a meet that was not only successful enough to return the next year but is being expanded, first with field events and eventually a series of meets.
Johnson was in over his head from day 1 and lacks the knowledge of how to create a successful business.
Also, is American Track League still running this year? I believe they hosted four meets last year (Bahamas, Edwin Moses in Atlanta, Ed Murphey in Memphis, and Holloway in Gainesville). They only one that seems to be happening this year is Murphey and if you go to the website, there is no mention of ATL.
First of all, the fact that could have worried about his legacy and left T&F alone but instead decided to try something entrepreneurial is praiseworthy, in my opinion. Most startups fail, but I think it’s great that he didn’t just kick back and retire, and I don’t think it means anything about his achievements on the track. Secondly, as far as knowing how to run a business, he got rich post-track career with training centers. GST may fail, but he has already founded a successful business. Ohanian is a serial investor/entrepreneur who has likewise had both successes and failures.
Hard to believe the American Track League is gonna stay in the top spot of the longest existence of series / circuits / "leagues" over the past 15-20 years.
Otherwise GST and the “execs” will have zero credibility and things will get ugly… GST will have a class action lawsuit filed against them by the athletes and agents.
I honestly think this is good news for GST's long term success.
One of the major issues with their business model is that it was too top heavy. Something like this does not need a full C-suite of high paid executives. Shedding some weight in that area will hopefully move them into a leaner, more sustainable model.
