Gabby Thomas is on a roll this year! After securing a bronze medal in the 200m at the Tokyo Games three years ago, she made headlines on August 8 by becoming the first American woman since Allyson Felix in 2012 to win Olympic gold in the 200m at the Paris Olympics. Her dazzling performance left NFL legend Shannon Sharpe absolutely spellbound. So, in his Nightcap podcast with co-host Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, Sharpe was so impressed that he invited Thomas to join them on the show. And there was a new revolution. It seems that Sharpe and Johnson are ready to open their wallets a little more after looking at her performance.

Gabby Thomas is also a crucial part of Team USA’s 4x100m relay team, teaming up with Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry. In a recent episode of his Nightcap podcast, which aired on YouTube, Shannon Sharpe and co-host Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson discussed whether anyone might break world records in the remaining sprints.

When Sharpe posed this thought-provoking question, Thomas responded with an enthusiastic saying, “I think, I think definitely. I think y’all are going to have to open up your wallets a little bit because I do think we’re going to see. I hate to say it, but I do think, I mean, I think the four by one girls, we can definitely (24:36) challenge a world record.” Well, how much does Shannon Sharpe have to open his wallet? Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson have planned to each contribute $25,000 to Team USA track athletes who win gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But that’s not all!

As in the podcast, Sharpe revealed, “Gabby, us at nightcap want to say how proud we are of you. I know our fans are very, very proud of you. So because of your huge, big win, Ochoa and I will be gifting you $25,000.” However, there was a playful condition attached. As ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson quipped, “But you got it by McDonald’s just once.” With that, the deal was set. However, it appears there is more on the horizon beyond the $25,000 each from Sharpe and Johnson, and the recent $25,000 gift. Additional surprises are also there.

Sharpe and Johnson’s new incentives for Gabby Thomas and U.S. track stars

When Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson discovered that the Olympic Committee pays U.S. athletes $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze, they felt compelled to step in and ensure the nation’s top track athletes were better rewarded. But here is what Sharpe did! Sharpe decided to give an additional $50,000 to any track athlete who makes a new WR in Paris. It seems track and field is developing. It is no longer a dying sport.

This year, World Athletics plans to give cash rewards to the winners of gold medals, with each victor receiving $50,000. Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian is raising the stakes with his Athlos track meet in NYC, offering substantial prize money: $60,000 for first place, $25,000 for second, and $10,000 for third.

Additionally, Ohanian’s bonus for an Olympic gold adds extra glamour to the meet. Athlos, formerly known as the 776 Invitational, focuses solely on women’s track events, featuring top athletes like Gabby Thomas, Alexis Holmes, and Faith Kipyegon. With a roster of 36 elite competitors, Athlos is poised to deliver an electrifying show, highlighting the growing investment and attention in women’s track and field. How do you see the financial landscape of track and field sports evolving? Are athletes seeing better compensation now?