Delayed Compensation for Athletes in Track Meets: Exploring the Financial Aspects of Prize Money Distribution
In the dynamic world of professional track and field, athletes are often faced with delays in receiving their hard-earned prize money. This issue has been highlighted recently by the Grand Slam Track league, which has been struggling to pay out approximately $13 million owed to its athletes due to funding delays [1][3][4].
According to a U.S.-based agent, Doyle, common roadblocks in delivering prize money include funding shortfalls, delayed investor payments, and administrative challenges such as compliance with anti-doping regulations [1]. For instance, the Grand Slam Track league faced significant delays in paying out its athletes, causing frustration and financial inconvenience for athletes like Grant Fisher, who was still awaiting payment weeks after the deadline [2][5].
The topic of delayed payments has remained a core issue in the sport. In contrast to Grand Slam Track, organizations like Athlos reportedly pay athletes within a few business days post-competition [1]. Well-funded organizations aim to pay prize money within days to a couple of weeks after events once all compliance checks are complete. However, leagues struggling with funding or operational issues may experience weeks to months of delay, and in some cases, payments may be at risk of never materializing unless additional financing is secured [1][3][4].
One significant factor contributing to the delay is the requirement for organizers to wait for negative doping test results before releasing prize money, a standard practice in the sport [1]. It takes 30 days or more for an athlete to pass anti-doping testing before prize money is released in major competitions. In a meet with 150 athletes, only 6-7% might be waiting on doping control results [1].
Penalties could be a potential solution for non-payments in track leagues, suggests Doyle. Potential penalties might include losing World Athletics labels for gold, silver, or bronze status [1]. The U.S.-based agent also mentions that many Instagram users and athletes, including Caleb Dean and Reggie Jager III, have come to the defense of Grand Slam Track [1].
Michael Johnson, founder of Grand Slam Track, has addressed the issues on live shows and podcasts [1]. The longest delay for anti-doping clearance in the 2025 Diamond League schedule was just over a month [1]. Doyle has faced personal financial difficulties in paying for his American Track League meets in its early years [1].
In the United States Athletic Federation's (USATF) Outdoor Championships, a total of $1.1 million was allocated for athletes who reached the final of their events, including $8,800 for winners [1]. Athletes aren't waiting very long for money to hit their bank accounts, theoretically, according to the sample data provided [1].
However, Doyle is concerned about the delay in releasing money before anti-doping is completed. Winners of most Diamond League events are netting $30,000, while in Diamond+ Disciplines athletes can garner as much as $50,000 [1]. Costs for hosting a meet to meet World Athletics Continental Tour gold-level requirements can be high, often exceeding $200,000 [1]. Meet directors often rely on sponsorship dollars to pay athletes [1].
In summary, delays in athletes' payments are a persistent issue in the world of professional track and field. Common roadblocks include funding shortfalls, delayed receipt of funds, administrative/anti-doping clearance, and organizational financial instability. The typical payment timeframe varies from a few business days in stable organizations to several weeks or longer if funding and operational issues arise. The recent example of Grand Slam Track athletes remaining unpaid weeks after the competition highlights the fragility of new ventures in track and field prize distribution [1][2][3][5].
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