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The 100m Olympic champion has explained why he will consider launching a track and field production company once his sprinting days are over.
American sprinting sensation Noah Lyles has hinted at two potential career paths he may pursue once he retires from professional athletics. After a stellar yet challenging campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Lyles has decided to take a brief hiatus from competition, which has sparked speculation about his future plans.
Lyles' Paris journey was marked by both triumph and adversity. He secured his first Olympic gold in the 100 meters, edging out Jamaica's Kishane Thompson in a thrilling photo finish. However, his success was soon tempered when he tested positive for COVID-19 just before the 200-meter final.
Despite the setback, Lyles managed to claim a bronze medal in the event, before ending his season early to focus on recovery and future goals.
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13:30 - 13.09.2024
'Where’s my 30,000?'- American sprint king Noah Lyles announces rally event to celebrate Paris 2024 success
Olympic champion Noah Lyles announces a rally in Virginia to celebrate his Paris 2024 victories and highlight athlete recognition.
Now, as he gears up for a highly anticipated 2025 season, Lyles has revealed the two potential directions his post-track career could take. One option is to follow in the footsteps of legendary sprinter Michael Johnson by launching a track league that provides greater exposure for athletes.
“I have quite a few ideas, one of them is very similar to Michael Johnson—that is, finding that league that will give athletes more power for themselves to be able to run and not have one source of income,” Lyles shared in an interview with USA Track and Field.
Johnson recently announced the creation of the Grand Slam Track League, which aims to bring together nearly 100 of the sport's top performers to compete for $12.6 million in prize money.
The league is set to debut in April 2025, with events planned in Los Angeles, another US city, and two international locations. Lyles, who has been a vocal advocate for increased exposure and financial opportunities for track stars, expressed interest in Johnson's project, but with one key condition.
“We’ve been in talks since the day I heard about it. Trying to get as much information. Trying to get as much of a feel for what’s going on. There’s a lot that I like that he’s doing. There’s a few things that I think could be a little better,” Lyles said on Night Cap.
“The thing that’s stopping me at the heart of it is I have yet to hear of a TV provider. Again, what good is it if we’re producing these great times, great shows, these great rivalries and we have nobody seeing it?
"Now we’re in the same problem we’re in with the Diamond Leagues and World Championships. I need to hear a TV provider and I need to know that it’s going to be seen consistently.”
Lyles emphasized that media coverage is crucial for the success of any league, and he wants to ensure that Johnson's initiative has a reliable broadcasting platform before fully committing to the project.
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09:31 - 12.09.2024
‘Me being a healthy, active male’ - NFL legend defends his ‘embarrassing’ explicit viral video
The NFL Hall of Famer has claimed he was just being a “healthy, active male” in the intimate video that went viral even if the incident embarrassed him.
Beyond a potential league, Lyles has also expressed interest in launching his own production company, drawing inspiration from FloTrack, a popular track and field streaming service.
"If FloTrack can do it, so can I. You gotta have the rights to your own film and once you gain the rights, you can do what you want with it, and that is what I have done over the last two years," Lyles explained.
The three-time world 200-meter champion has been exploring various avenues to extend his influence beyond the track.
He has long advocated for athletes to have more control over their image and media presence, and starting a production company would allow him to showcase track and field in ways that traditional media often overlooks.
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