Noah Lyles has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and after the “World champion of what?” drama with the NBA in 2023, it looks like the world’s fastest man has found himself a new sparring partner: “Ant-Man” himself, Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves’ star guard and Team USA’s golden boy in Paris has been shining bright, earning his first Olympic gold medal and quickly becoming a rising star in basketball.

But before either Lyles or Edwards were making headlines in Paris, Lyles decided to take a jab at the young hooper, and their mutual connection to Adidas was the spark. Before the Paris Olympics, Time ran a story on Lyles on June 27, 2024, diving into his intense preparation for the Games. During his 2023 Adidas contract extension negotiations, Lyles said the company tried to throw him a bone, but it felt more like a snub. They invited him to attend Anthony Edwards’ shoe-release event. While Edwards has undeniable talent, Lyles couldn’t help but notice the difference—unlike him, Edwards isn’t a six-time world champion.

Lyles wasn’t having it. He couldn’t believe that Adidas was rolling out the red carpet for Edwards—a guy who, as Lyles pointed out, “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? No disrespect — the man is an amazing athlete. He is having a heck of a year. I love that they saw the insight to give him a shoe, because they saw that he was going to be big. All I’m asking is, ‘How could you not see that for me?'” Lyles clearly felt ignored, and the sting just got sharper!

Despite Noah Lyles bringing home not just a gold medal but also a bronze while battling COVID-19 at the Paris Olympics, Adidas seems to have turned a blind eye to the track star’s achievements. Instead, the brand threw a lavish party in Paris for Anthony Edwards, celebrating his first gold medal. Nice Kicks couldn’t help but highlight the event with a post on X:

They also gifted him a custom “Gold Medal” pair of AE 1 sneakers. These all-gold beauties, presented in a sparkling briefcase, perfectly match his Olympic gold and feature a translucent rubber bottom—a first for the AE 1. These exclusive kicks are likely a one-of-a-kind treat just for Edwards, not hitting the shelves anytime soon! Meanwhile, Lyles is still wondering when his big moment will arrive. But looking at 23-year-old Edwards, it’s clear that Lyles’ words didn’t fall on deaf ears. After voicing his thoughts to Adidas in 2023, the brand came through with a blazing offer that showed they were definitely listening!

Adidas’ response to Noah Lyles’ Anthony Edwards call-out and Paris demands? A reward that’s anything but low-key!

On February 26, Lyles took to X to drop the big news about his renewed Adidas contract. The post had a line that caught everyone’s attention: “Details of the contract are not available, but the agreement involves extensive commitments both on and off the track and is the richest contract in the sport of track and field since the retirement of Usain Bolt.” Naturally, the internet went wild, with one user, Tee (@realtalkwithtee), asking the burning question, “So if Usain Bolt signed with Puma for 10 million per year, whatttttt the hell did Noah Lyles just sign for yalll???”

The speculation was intense, and even Lyles couldn’t resist jumping in on the fun. With a wink and a nudge, he replied, “That is definitely the 10 million dollar question,” tossing in a speculative emoji for good measure. This playful exchange set social media on fire, with everyone buzzing about just how much Adidas is shelling out for their star sprinter! And while shooting guard Anthony Edwards basks in the spotlight at Adidas’ Paris event, don’t think Noah Lyles hasn’t put in his own big requests!

Fresh off his 100-meter gold at the Paris Olympics, Lyles didn’t hesitate to drop his wishlist. As a reporter wrapped up a media session, they asked what he hoped to gain from his Olympic performances. Without missing a beat, the “3 Peat” World Champion said, “I want my own shoe. I want my own trainer. I want a sneaker; there ain’t no money in spikes.”

Lyles even pointed out that the legendary Michael Johnson never got his own shoe, leaving fans with some food for thought: “I feel like for how many medals we bring back, the notoriety we get, the fact that that hasn’t happened is crazy to me.” So, what do you think—are track stars getting the short end of the stick compared to basketball stars when it comes to sponsor treatment? Share your thoughts in the comments!