Noah Lyles has never hidden his interest in the Grand Slam Track project, the brainchild of Michael Johnson. The $30 million project could end the problem Noah has been vocal about—the lack of suitable payment for the athletes. Even showering his praise on GST, the 27-year-old sprinter claimed, “There are a lot of great points; having a salary for athletes is amazing.” But will he join the fold?

The 100m Olympic champion has yet to give a firm answer. On Shannon Sharpe’s Nightcap podcast, Noah threw a bit of a wrench into the works by revealing what’s holding him back from signing with Grand Slam Track. His indecision has stirred up some chatter, even ruffling the feathers of fellow Olympians!

On Nightcap, the reigning Olympic champion said that he was yet to know about a TV provider of the Grand Slam Track. The information is necessary for him before signing the contract. This drew a response from Justin Gatlin on his Ready Set Go podcast, where he emphasized the importance of live broadcasts, warning, “TV is good, but be careful what you ask for.”  The stern warning is bound to raise interest, as Noah has been apt on his point while replying to Sharpe and the co-host, Chad Ochocinco.

The Grand Slam Track is going to come with the largest purse for the track athletes. The winner of each event will take home prize money of a whopping $100,000, whereas the eighth-place finisher will not be left empty-handed. But as of now, the matter of TV rights is still hanging on a thread. Focusing on that issue, Noah said, “The thing that is stopping me at the heart of it is I have yet to hear of a TV provider.”

Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 200m Semi-Finals – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 07, 2024. Noah Lyles of United States reacts after finishing in second place in semi final 2. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Noah Lyles didn’t hold back on his critique of the current track scene, where rivalries are at an all-time high. He’s all for thrilling performances, but he questions their value if no one’s watching. The six-time world champion is clear: it’s not just about the action on the field. If the Grand Slam Track wants his signature, it needs to address a few more crucial details, like ensuring there’s a substantial audience to appreciate those epic showdowns.

On his podcast, Justin Gatlin laid out a critical point: “You don’t wanna be on TV and your races are at 11:30 at night or six in the morning. You know what I mean?” He didn’t stop there, adding, “Time slots are critical, and when you think you’re watching ESPN, you might end up on ESPN Three.” Gatlin’s concern is clear: timing and visibility are crucial for the sport’s success.

He also highlighted the need for top-notch streaming. According to Gatlin, the goal is to make track and field more exciting, fast-paced, and accessible. “Track and field should become more exciting, more streamlined,” he said, emphasizing that the sport needs better broadcasting to match its dynamic nature.

The streaming woes of track and field, exacerbated by the NBC-FloTrack debacle, have only made the situation worse. Noah Lyles has been particularly outspoken about these issues, reflecting the broader frustrations within the sport!

Noah Lyles is calling out the elephant in the room 

FloSports and the Wanda Diamond League have struck a multi-year deal to stream 14 of the 15 meets on Flotrack starting in 2025. NBC Sports previously held the TV and streaming rights until 2017, and World Athletics signed a 10-year deal with NBC in 2020 for other major events.

However, the Diamond League isn’t part of that deal, leaving FloTrack to handle the streaming with a subscription rate of $29.99/month or $149.99/year. Fans could previously watch the Diamond League on NBC channels or stream it on Peacock, but with FloSports taking over, the subscription rate is set to increase, potentially deterring new viewers and harming the sport’s popularity.

On the Nightcap podcast, Noah Lyles criticized this shift, noting, “It hurts because I knew this was going to happen,” and warned that it might lead to a decline in the sport’s audience. Noah’s hope for a solution lies in Netflix’s Sprint docuseries, which has garnered praise for its insider stories and athlete profiles, but it lacks live feeds and fan interaction spaces.

Thus, while promising, Sprint doesn’t fully address the issues highlighted by Justin Gatlin, who stressed the need for better live streaming and fan engagement. So is there a way to reconcile these needs and ensure the sport’s growth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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