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The US sprint legend has added the billionaire to the Board of Directors of the soon-to-be launched lucrative Grand Slam Track, seeking to leverage on his networks to make the event a success.
American billionaire Robert F. Smith has joined the management board of Grand Slam Track, the money-spinning track event, spearheaded by US sprint legend Michael Johnson.
Smith, whose net worth is estimated to be $11 billion, is the latest addition to the team that is seeking to revolutionize track and field following the unveiling of the Grand Slam Track, which will gun off in 2025 with four legs in a year, with winners of each discipline pocketing $100,000 per leg.
The billionaire is the founder and chairman of Vista Equity and given his company has consistently been able to generate a high rate of returns to its investors, Grand Slam Track is seeking to leverage on his knowledge, experience and networks to make their event a major success.
Vista Equity was ranked just behind Microsoft, Oracle and SAP on the list of best software companies in 2019 while Smith is highly regarded outside business circles as a philanthropist who helped establish the UNCF Sylvia M Young Scholarship Program while donating $20 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture among others.
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19:35 - 01.11.2024
Agnes Ngetich becomes first Kenya to sign up for Michael Johnson’s Ksh13m Grand Slam Track
Agnes Ngetich has been rewarded for her scintillating form this year after becoming the first Kenyan to sign up for the lucrative Grand Slam Track which has a prize money of Ksh13m for its winners.
“[Smith] will certainly be instrumental in helping from a leadership standpoint [to] help us accelerate, really, the success of this league,” Johnson said of Smith’s appointment as per Forbes.
Johnson and Smith have known each other for a number of years and the former world 400m record holder revealed that he floated the Grand Slam Track idea to him before the event was unveiled with the billionaire buying into it, as it is in line with his desire to uplift people and positively impact lives.
“We see Grand Slam Track having the potential to be, you know, one of the greatest sports leagues out there,” added Johnson, expressing confidence that Smith’s knowledge will be vital to the success of Grand Slam Track.
“You know Robert certainly understands…from a…very deep level, the difficulty of succeeding with these sorts of ventures [and] starting something from scratch.
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12:01 - 06.11.2024
Jamaican sprint legend condemns Michael Johnson's Grand Slam track league, Alexis Ohanian's Athlos
The two-time Olympic champion has revealed one major shortcoming in upcoming track leagues including Michael Johnson's Grand Slam as he opined what they can do to change that.
“Robert, being a black man, [understands]…the difficulties…but also the opportunities, and being unafraid,” said Johnson. “to go out there and…make the big swings, which he certainly has, and succeeded with those.”
The billionaire is also thrilled to be teaming up with Johnson and the entire leadership of the event to transform track and field.
“This is a project I deeply believe in, and am delighted to be a part of,” said Smith. “Track has always been a sport that celebrates dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of greatness. I am excited to now join Grand Slam Track and work with MJ to play a part in elevating the sport, while inspiring a new generation of athletes and fans around the world.”
A number of top athletes have already signed up to Grand Slam Track, among them Fred Kerley, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Quincy Hall, Masai Russell, Jasmine Camacho-Quin, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Josh Kerr and Agnes Ngetich.
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19:39 - 06.11.2024
Justin Gatlin on why prize-focused meets like Athlos & Grand Slam Track risk warping athletes’ mindsets long-term
Justin Gatlin has opined why he thinks cash-heavy track meets such as the Athlos Women's Only-meet could hurt athletes post-retirement.
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