Michael Johnson’s Track League Appoints New Leadership Team

Grand Slam Track (GST), a new track league founded by Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson, has made a major appointment by naming Steve Gera as president and chief operating officer.

Gera comes to GST with an impressive background, having served as a platoon commander in the United States Marine Corps. He has also held positions with major league sports teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Browns, and San Diego Chargers. Most recently, he co-founded the sports and technology agency Gains Group.

GST, which is set to launch in April, will hold four annual ‘Slams’, with two competitions taking place in the United States. Johnson, who will serve as commissioner, has emphasized the league’s goal to keep track and field “at the forefront of the sporting world year-round.”

The league has already secured commitments from 48 athletes who will be contracted to race in all four ‘Slams’, while another group of 48 competitors will earn an appearance fee for participating in individual events.

“We’re not putting on a track meet,” Gera said. “We’re bringing something entirely new and different to market, and we’re really excited to show the world what that is. That only happens by hiring really great people who still have something left to prove.”

In addition to Gera’s appointment, GST has brought on Rick Qualliotine as chief content officer, Teresa Palladino as vice president of marketing and partnerships, and Rina Thakker as chief technology and product officer. Qualliotine previously worked for NFL Media, while Palladino comes from ONE Championship, and Thakker spent over 17 years at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

“All of them have worked at big blue-chip sports and entertainment brands, not just sports brands, not just entertainment brands,” Gera explained. “They understand the complexities in the world of sports entertainment. For me and MJ [Michael Johnson], that was absolutely critical. Second thing, they’re all leaders and strategic and someone you would love to have on any of your teams … And the great thing is that they all have something to prove.”

In other news, Leeds United has appointed two new board members, welcoming Andrew Schwartzberg and Eugene Schneur to the senior leadership team of the English second-tier soccer club.