The sponsorships and contracts are often seen as the lifeline for athletes, especially in track and field, where big names like Adidas, Nike, and Puma dominate the scene. However, under the glitter and glamour of endorsement contracts may rest stories of dissatisfaction and alleged mistreatment. Any example?

Well, there are many. Mary Cain, the former Adidas-sponsored athlete, has made a concrete statement about body-shaming and psychological abuse. This has impelled the industry during the last few years to output the dark side of sports sponsorships. However, Alysia Montaño’s allegations against Nike for the reduction of maternity benefits became a call for change. The recent newsletter of track and field has raised the issue of unfair treatment against Adidas. Who is this?

American middle-distance runner Drew Hunter has written his newsletter describing the unfair treatment and experience with Adidas. What does he have to say? Hunter wrote, “Around October I started to get a little antsy about things. I didn’t have a new contract yet and things were slow with talks. My agent told me he would meet with Adidas around the Chicago marathon.” Hunter signed a 10-year contract with Adidas in 2016, and during the 2024 Olympic trials, Drew Hunter expected a call from Adidas to extend the contract as he had one of his career-best races—a 4th-place finish in the 10k. But how and why did things change?

Little did he know that the brand was not considering him good enough to make a good contract. Hunter told in the newsletter that in October 2024, he got a call from his agent Ray Flynn, and he told him about the contract, which was shocking. Drew Hunter wrote, “Two days before the race, I got the call from Ray. It was shocking. He told me the offer Adidas sent him, and it wasn’t even close to what I thought I deserved.” Indeed, it is disheartening when you are offered less and not considered worthy enough.

Hunter further wrote how he started considering himself a failure, “I felt like a failure in that moment. Not every family looks the same, but I know that my running career was only valuable if I could allow my wife to raise our children on my running salary. This wasn’t going to be the case with this Adidas offer.”

As Adidas is not paying much and his wife left her job to take care of the kids, it is his responsibility to take care of the expenses, which was not possible with the current situation. Hence, Hunter became so demotivated that he even started applying to jobs outside the sport to pay the expenses. What about his track and field career?

Obviously, Hunter didn’t give up on training sessions but had to work more to get financial stability. Come on, he has two kids to raise. But as they say, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ In October and early November, things started to change, and Drew Hunter got what he deserved. Any guesses? But before that, Hunter has a message: “As athletes, we have to be careful with our egos— knowing our true value depends a lot of different variables.”

Well, he got a solid offer from ASICS,’ a Japanese multinational company that produces sportswear. Drew Hunter was told he sent the offer to Adidas, as they have the right to know in the first place. “They said respectfully, ‘Nah.’ I wish we could talk numbers, but I am not allowed,” Hunter wrote in a newsletter. This is a very disheartening situation for any athlete. Is it the first time when any athlete has been vocal about such a thing?

Noah Lyles has also been frustrated with the unfair treatment and disrespect

Noah Lyles, a prominent figure in track and field, has not held back in expressing his frustrations with Adidas’ treatment of athletes. In August 2024, Lyles got an invitation to Anthony Edwards’ shoe release event, and he felt sidelined. Why did he feel that way, you may ask? Lyles voiced out the reason. He said, “You want to invite me to [an event for] a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals? In a sport that you don’t even care about? And you’re giving him a shoe?” What exactly happened?

Noah Lyles has been the contributor to Adidas’ popularity. He asked them to give signature sneakers to his apparel sponsor, but he didn’t get any. And he got frustrated as he was called in for the new shoe release of NBA star Anthony Edwards. And this felt like Lyles a disrespect. What was Adidas’ take?

Adidas refused to say anything about the scenario. Lyles Adidas contract? He signed a multi-year contract extension with Adidas in February 2024, and it will end after the 2028 Olympics. However, Lyles’ dissatisfaction stems from deeper issues, both financially and in terms of respect. But Lyles’ stand was misunderstood by many NBA fans, and later he cleared his take.

Noah Lyles posted on X, “There is a rumor going around that I did not go to @theantedwards_ shoe release because he didn’t deserve it. That is not the case. He deserves his shoes. He is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagements. Congratulations on Becoming an Olympic Champion!”

Even though Lyles was able to sign a lucrative multi-year contract extension with Adidas, it is easy to understand why he would be disappointed that he did not receive more. After winning the 100-meter gold, the sprinter immediately declared his desire for a signature sneaker brand. Despite his great performance, Lyles didn’t receive what he expected from Adidas.

What’s your take on the brands’ contract money and worth of the athlete? Do share in the comment section.