The Miramar Invitational 2025 featured one of the most highly anticipated races in track and field this season—Julien Alfred versus Shericka Jackson in the women’s 300m event. Held on April 5 at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, the showdown did not disappoint. Jackson started strong and led early, but Alfred surged ahead to win the race, clocking in at 36.05 seconds. This not only earned her the victory but also set a new national record for her country. Jackson finished close behind at 36.13 seconds.
Despite the thrilling performance and the presence of top-tier athletes, the event faced several significant issues that took away from the overall experience.
Watch LIVE: 2025 Miramar Invitational https://t.co/JYxmKDxEyB
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) April 5, 2025
Broadcasting Problems: The Miramar Invitational was streamed on the American Track League’s YouTube channel, but the quality left much to be desired. Instead of balanced coverage that includes professional commentary alongside the ambient noise, the stream was overwhelmed by background sounds—mostly crowd reactions—with very little to no narration. While some fans might enjoy the raw excitement from the crowd, the absence of insightful commentary made the viewing experience feel incomplete.
Poor Attendance: The lack of a significant audience was another glaring issue. When the cameras panned across the venue, most of the seats in the stands appeared empty. The sparse crowd diminished the energy typically expected at such high-profile events, and it felt underwhelming, especially considering the caliber of athletes participating.
Star Athletes, Minimal Recognition: Several Olympic medalists were in attendance, including Steven Gardiner, a 400m Olympic gold medalist, and Kishane Thompson, who won silver at the 2024 Olympics. Rasheed Broadbell, a bronze medalist in the 110m hurdles, also competed. Despite such a star-studded lineup, no major sports networks like NBC or Peacock picked up the event for live broadcast. Given the athletes’ achievements, the lack of coverage was seen by many as a disservice to their stature.
Technical Glitches and Mismanagement: Interview segments also suffered from technical setbacks. Julien Alfred had to redo her interview due to excessive background noise that made her initial recording inaudible. Moreover, the event was scheduled on the same day as the Grand Slam Track meet, a conflict that raised questions about planning and coordination. Whether this was a scheduling oversight or a calculated risk remains unclear, as there’s been no official explanation.
Ongoing Pattern: Unfortunately, this year’s issues weren’t new. In 2024, fans faced a similar disappointment when Peacock, which had promised to stream the Miramar Invitational, failed to deliver. Viewers logged in on April 6, only to find the event missing. That year, Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles voiced his frustration publicly, tweeting his disappointment and triggering widespread criticism of the broadcasting failure.
With multiple major athletes present and fans eager to watch, the Miramar Invitational continues to struggle with its broadcast quality and event management. Despite delivering exciting races, it has yet to fully capitalize on its potential or provide the athletes with the professional stage they deserve.