Grand Slam Track (GST) is really gearing up for its 2025 launch, and wow, they’ve assembled some serious talent! The lineup for those short sprints is looking pretty impressive, with Olympic medalists Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek on board. Plus, we’ve got Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in the mix too. These athletes are set to take center stage in the 100m and 200m events, hitting up four iconic cities: Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

And get this—the stakes are high! There’s a whopping $100,000 prize for the top point-scorer throughout the season. But hold up! There’s one big name still missing—Noah Lyles. The guy’s the reigning Olympic champ for the 200m, and he hasn’t signed on yet. This has got fans and analysts buzzing, wondering what’s up with his absence. What do you think? Will he join the fray or what?

Noah Lyles: calculating risks or missing out?

So, Noah Lyles, one of the big names in track and field right now, hasn’t hopped on board Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League (GST) yet, and honestly, you can kinda see why. He’s been pretty upfront about his concerns, especially when it comes to broadcasting. He even threw out this line, “If a tree falls in the woods… did it make a sound?” which is a clever way of saying that without a solid TV deal, jumping into GST might not be the best move for someone at his level. I mean, in a sport that often struggles to grab attention, who wants to waste their effort on something that might not even reach the fans?

Now, sure, GST talks about putting on some groundbreaking events in four major cities and even offers a sweet $100,000 prize, but Lyles is still playing it safe. But here’s the thing—he might be missing out on more than just cash. The way GST is set up means he could be having some epic showdowns with top athletes like Kerley, Bednarek, and Seville. I mean, these rivalries could really shape the future of the sport. Plus, if he’s not in the mix, it kind of opens the door for someone else to steal the spotlight. And with one more spot for short sprints still up for grabs, fans are buzzing about who could jump in next. Some are talking about Letsile Tebogo, the Olympic 200m champ, or maybe Christian Coleman, a past world champ. But for now, it looks like Lyles is playing it safe, which means someone else could swoop in and take that chance.

Oblique Seville joins the elite roster

So, Jamaica’s own Oblique Seville has just joined up with GST, and let me tell you, this guy’s bringing some great speed and youth to the league! At just 23, he’s already clocked a personal best of 9.81 seconds in the 100 meters. Can you believe that? That makes him the 16th fastest man ever—that’s pretty impressive! He’s been super consistent, too. He’s made the Jamaican 100m team four times in a row and has scored some solid finishes at the World Championships. It’s safe to say he’s definitely a rising star in the making.

Now, when it comes to the 200 meters, he hasn’t got a ton of experience under his belt just yet, but hey, he recently hit a personal best of 20.17 seconds. That’s a good sign that there’s still a lot of potential waiting to be tapped! The upcoming GST season is going to be a real test for him, throwing him into some heavy competition. He’ll be up against some seasoned pros like Kerley and Bednarek. It’s going to be interesting to see how he holds up! The league’s innovative approach combines global venues, consistent rivalries, and substantial financial incentives. Represents a shift in how track and field engages audiences.

With one more spot left in the short sprints roster, GST is poised to deliver a season full of explosive matchups, even if Noah Lyles stays out. As GST’s inaugural season looms, the league’s message is clear: it’s redefining what elite sprinting competition looks like. Whether or not Lyles chooses to join, GST is already sprinting toward a new era for track and field.