Noah Lyles isn’t just dominating the track; he’s eyeing a bigger stage. In recent weeks, the Olympic champion has shown his ability to divulge on the entertainment side of things. One such example was racing against YouTube sensation IShowSpeed and making a splash in MrBeast’s latest video. But it’s not just about fun and games—Noah’s also getting savvy about his star power. Case in point: he turned down a chance to compete at the Grand Slam Track meet until they locked in a solid TV deal.

In fact, Justin Gatlin shared on the latest episode of Ready Set Go—how Lyles is gunning for a spot on the global celebrity A-list. “Become a person, a persona outside of track in field, and have a true crossover into a whole different realm,” the Olympic legend explained, emphasizing Noah’s vision to transcend the sport entirely. And the comparison? Pure gold. Gatlin likened Noah’s ambitions to none other than Snoop Dogg.

“I mean like I don’t remember last time Snoop even put out a song…he went from being an artist that he was known for in the beginning to be more of a personality and a persona,” he confessed. Clearly, Noah Lyles is not just growing as an athlete and celebrity; he’s evolving into a visionary. And guess who noticed? None other than Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder and track innovator making waves with his all-female league, Athlos.

Alexis has been shaking up the sport lately, thanks to Athlos’ standout debut, which put Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas front and center. The league’s first event drew a jaw-dropping 3 million viewers, proving his formula works. So when Alexis gave Noah’s latest big idea his stamp of approval, you know it’s serious business. Fans were hyped, especially when Noah shared a clip on X with the caption, “Let’s set this up as a track vs. NFL event.” Even Alexis Ohanian chimed in, saying, “This is smart.” Coming from the guy who pulled off Athlos, that’s no small compliment. What caused this reaction?

On his Beyond the Records podcast, Noah Lyles dropped some juicy details about an epic crossover event he’s cooking up with the NFL. Picture this: a Pro Bowl showdown where track stars take on football players. The main event? A three-race program featuring Noah vs. Tyreek Hill. For the undercard, he’s hoping to line up Chris Coleman and Xavier Worthy. And when Noah asked fellow track star Grant Holloway if he’d face off against Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, Grant was all in, saying, “Of course, man.” Noah kept the details under wraps but compared the event to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, hinting at some major spectacle vibes.

Speaking of Athlos, Noah Lyles is already a fan. During its broadcast, he praised the event’s energy, tweeting, “I love these introductions at @athlos I want to hear even more energy when announcing these Women!!! Forget trying to sound professional; let’s get loud and extra!” With that kind of admiration, it wouldn’t be surprising if Noah takes a page out of Alexis’ playbook to level up his own event. Now, it’s all about whether the NFL gives the green light. If they do, Noah’s track vs. NFL showdown could be the next big thing. And if not? Well, don’t count out the hype for his much-anticipated race with Tyreek Hill.

Stars want all in on the Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill showdown

Since Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill kicked off their beef, the buzz surrounding their potential showdown has attracted several big names eager to host the event, billed as a clash between track and football. One of the most vocal supporters has been Grand Slam Track owner Michael Johnson, who’s expressed interest in bringing Tyreek Hill into his tournament. “I would actually love to have Tyreek Hill run in the Grand Slam Track event. Cheetah! Yeah,” he said.

However, this idea hasn’t materialized yet, as neither Noah Lyles nor Tyreek Hill has signed on. While GST is still pushing hard to get Noah involved, the Olympic gold medalist has made it clear he’s not interested unless they land a solid TV deal. But Michael Johnson isn’t the only one eyeing the race. According to FloTrack, actor and former NFL player Terry Crews has thrown his hat in the ring, expressing interest in including the race as part of a “Super Serious On Sight” event set for 2025.

The competition will feature Olympic track stars facing off against professional athletes from other sports in a duel-style, elimination tournament. While the race between Lyles and Hill might happen within this new league, nothing’s been confirmed yet. So, the future of the race remains uncertain. Both athletes are eager to throw down, but they need to nail down the perfect host to deliver the ultimate fan experience. The clock’s ticking, but the showdown’s still in the works!