U.S. track and field superstar Noah Lyles has once again expressed his frustration over Adidas not giving him a signature shoe. During an appearance on Funky Friday, Lyles spoke about telling Adidas during negotiations that if Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had a shoe, then he deserved one as well.
“I said, ‘Anthony Edwards has a shoe’, and I’m already a six-time world champion, and I’m prophesying that I’m going to be the Olympic champion,” Lyles said. “I believe I’ve done enough to prove that my worth is given a signature shoe, or at least having the conversation of it.
“They said that’s not their department, yada yada yada, dancing around the conversation,” Lyles continued. “At the time, I was frustrated with them. Still am, that’s another story about how they didn’t even want to have the conversation of it.”
In 2024, Lyles would eventually sign what was reported to be the richest contract in track and field since Usain Bolt’s deal with Puma. Adidas still didn’t give him a signature shoe, though, and he’s frustrated they won’t even discuss that topic with him. Edwards, meanwhile, will see his second signature shoe, “AE 2,” released this year.
Host Cam Newton wondered why Lyles wouldn’t just sign with Nike or some other overseas brand if he was unhappy with Adidas. The 27-year-old then explained the difficult situation that athletes like him find themselves in.
“If I leave, I’m giving up the advantage of product,” Lyles stated. “I need spikes to run in. Adidas makes some of the best spikes in the world. I need trainers to run in. There are rules by the governing body of track and field that you have to be okayed by these brands. So, the shoe companies know that. They know that you’re going to have to come back to them.”
Lyles, who won the gold medal in 100m at the 2024 Olympics, stated his contract is like the 360 deals in the music industry. Adidas gets everything.
“My training group is an Adidas-only training group,” Lyles said. “If I’m not an Adidas athlete, I can’t even train there. I would lose my coach that I’ve been with for nine years, that’s coached me to six world championships.”
Lyles revealed that all the top coaches are signed with these brands. If he leaves Adidas, he’d basically be black-listed from the whole sport until he signs with another one. You do feel for him and for others like him who are in this situation.
During this episode, Lyles also addressed the controversy caused by his interview with Time Magazine. Lyles stated during it that he did not attend Adidas’ sneaker release party for Edwards and spoke about being upset that the NBA star got a shoe before him.
Lyles stated here that he was doing a fashion walk with Hugo Boss at the time, and there was no way he could have made it back for the party. He also insisted he had no problems whatsoever with Edwards.
While Lyles may have no ill feelings towards Edwards, he has managed to offend one too many NBA players by now. In 2023, he infamously said, “World champion of what?” when talking about NBA players calling themselves world champions after winning the title. Lyles has taken more shots since, and you’d imagine he isn’t on anyone’s good side in the NBA.
