Athletes, no matter the sport, want a few basic things: recognition, financial compensation, and media attention. But the way these things play out varies drastically between sports. Take the NBA, for example. NBA players are known all over the world, and it’s not just because of their skill on the court. These athletes often secure sponsorship contracts and enjoy significant media attention along, with substantial incomes. While track and field athletes compete internationally but they do not receive the same recognition despite their impressive achievements. And this is something that Noah Lyles is vocal about.

The discrepancy, between recognition levels, has been a point of discussion lately in the case of sprinter Noah Lyles. Back in 2023, Lyles raised concerns about Adidas extending a shoe contract to NBA player Anthony Edwards even though Edwards had not at that point played in an NBA Finals Match. Lyles expressed his frustration at not receiving similar acknowledgment despite being a world champion. He was not disputing Edwards’s eligibility, for the deal but rather highlighting the tendency for track athletes to be undervalued

In 2024, following Lyles’ gold medal win, in the 100 meters and bronze in the 200 meters at the Olympics, he raised his voice once more， expressing frustration despite his achievements that track athletes struggle to secure sponsorships to those of NBA players. ​He pointed out the contrast in financial opportunities, between basketball players who profit from lucrative sneaker deals and track athletes who receive far less for endorsing track spikes. His remarks sparked a renewed discussion, on the disparities in support and recognition within the world of sports – shedding light not on the elite athletes but also, on the broader spectrum of track and field sports.

Recently, Daniel Ellis Roberts, who earned a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics, joined Lecrae on his  Youtube channel, and the two discussed the ongoing issue of track athletes being overshadowed by stars from other sports. When Lecrae asked Roberts, “Does that bother you, or do you… or I would just say, is that a thing in your space that track and field athletes have to wrestle with?” Roberts didn’t hesitate to share his perspective. He fully supported Noah Lyles’ frustration, explaining how track and field athletes still struggle to gain the same recognition as NBA players.

He said, “No, for sure, 100%. Because, like, I mean, to put it in perspective, if you can think of the second-best guy in the NBA—and not just the amount of money he’s making, the sponsorships, just the media presence—and then you look at track and field, it’s like, not even comparable. Probably not even a third or fourth of, like, financially or media presence, any of that stuff. It’s just different.” Roberts went on to explain that while track and field has a few athletes like Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin, and Sha’Carri Richardson who have become household names, the sport as a whole still has a long way to go.

Roberts believes that once track and field grows as a sport, more athletes will be able to benefit from the recognition and financial success that they deserve. However, Sha’Carri Richardson has also shared her thoughts on this issue, emphasizing the struggles athletes face with financial support in the sport.

Alongside Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson calls for fair compensation

In the year 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson raised concerns, about the lack of backing for athletes, under Team USA. Taking to her Instagram account she criticized Team USA’s assurance that all donations directly benefit athletes by warning against making donations as she remarked ” Do not donate. The athletes that need this money don’t see it.” Team USA claims that athletes are provided with $2.5 million, in assistance as well as scholarships for education and support, training, and travel expenses; however, Richardson contends that this aid fails to reach those athletes who require it the most.

SCR had previously also raised concerns, about payment matters; she advocated for a union to support compensation when a subscription-driven viewership system was implemented for the US Outdoor Track and Field Championship that year. Even retired Olympic champion Michael Johnson supported her stance on the issue of compensation for athletes, in the industry. The question remains; why is track and field not experiencing growth?

Track and field face challenges in securing funding and garnering attention because of its media exposure compared to popular team sports, like football or basketball which have year-round seasons and lucrative media contracts that keep them in the spotlight consistently. Track and field typically capture interest during major events such as the Olympics or World Championships due, to its seasonal nature and lack of continuous viewership making it difficult to appeal to major sponsors or sustain revenue streams effectively.

Moreover, the cash rewards and sponsorship agreements, in track and field are often modest restricting assistance. With figures such as Michael Johnson championing the cause, there are indications that track and field is gradually attracting an audience and obtaining more backing thus enhancing the financial situation, for athletes involved in the sport.