“Not Even Been to NBA Finals”: Noah Lyles’ Iconic ‘World Champion’ Statement Escalates With Fresh Take on Anthony Edwards

Noah Lyles is currently making waves wherever he goes! Watching him during trials is anything but not boring. He consistently brings pride to the nation, Team USA, and his sponsors. His sponsors, in turn, see his true value. For instance, in March of this year, Adidas showed they were in for the long haul by extending Lyles’s contract through the 2029 season, although the exact figures of the deal remain undisclosed and are rumored to exceed $2 million annually. Lyles initially joined Adidas in 2016 and has since been a prominent figure in their global campaigns. However, his journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing with Adidas.

During his negotiations for a contract extension with Adidas last year, Noah Lyles expressed disappointment with the company’s approach. According to a Time magazine report, Adidas offered Lyles what he perceived as a minor gesture by inviting him to a shoe-release event for Anthony Edwards, a 22-year-old NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. While Lyles, a six-time world champion in track and field, questioned Adidas‘ decision, he openly wondered why they would prioritize an athlete like Edwards, who had yet to reach an NBA Finals.

“You want to invite me to [an event for] a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals?” Despite recognizing Edwards’ talent, Lyles felt overshadowed in a sport where he believed Adidas should have given him more recognition. He expressed his perspective bluntly, “And you’re giving him a shoe? No disrespect: the man is an amazing athlete. He is having a heck of a year. I appreciate that they saw his potential for success. All I’m asking is, ‘How could you not see that for me?’

However, Adidas declined to comment on Lyles’ remarks in February this year. Shortly after, Lyles signed a new deal with the company, reportedly the most lucrative in the sport of track and field since the retirement of Usain Bolt. Bolt’s final contract with Puma from 2014 to 17 was valued at around $10 million a year. But Lyles revealed that he would not divulge specifics about the contract because he “didn’t like it.” Do you believe Lyles deserved such a lucrative deal, or do you consider Anthony Edwards more successful in his field?

Noah Lyles vs. Anthony Edwards- Who’s your favorite?

Lyles aims for 4 gold medals in Paris Olympics. But his journey started after winning the Diamond League 200m title in his first year as a pro in 2017. He has since gone on to become one of the finest sprinters America has ever produced, claiming three straight world 200m titles in 2019, 2022, and 2023, setting an American 200m record of 19.31 in 2022, winning triple gold at Worlds last year. But what about Edwards?

In the 2023 -24 season, Anthony Edwards had a performance scoring an average of 25.9 points per game and making history as the youngest NBA player to reach 6,000 career points following in the footsteps of LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Apart from his basketball achievements, Edwards also made an appearance in the 2022 Netflix film “Hustle” alongside Adam Sandler. His significant contributions helped the Minnesota Timberwolves advance to the conference finals for the time in two decades in 2024.

Throughout that season, he clinched three NBA Fan Favorite Awards for Dunk of the Year Block of the Year and Photo of the Year, showcasing his popularity and influence, within the league. The lingering question now is; who holds fame? Our beloved Lyles or the emerging talent, Anthony?

Noah Lyles is estimated to have a worth of $4 million with a following of 636k, on Instagram. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards reportedly boasts a worth of $40 million, according to Marca.com. Has 3.2 million followers on Instagram. This highlights the difference in income, between track and field athletes, who frequently earn less despite their fabulous work. If you support Noah Lyles feel free to share your views on this matter in the comments section!