Noah Lyles Says He Wants a Signature adidas Sneaker
Published
The Olympics are a stage where legends are born, and Noah Lyles has cemented his place in history with a breathtaking photo finish in the men's 100-meter sprint, securing a gold medal for the USA. This victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time since 2004 that an American sprinter has won gold in this event. Lyles, known for his charismatic personality and undeniable talent, has made headlines for his athletic prowess and ambitious vision for the future.
Aftermath of his historic win, Lyles, an adidas athlete, expressed his desire to break new ground in the track and field world. "I want my own shoe. I want my own trainer. I'm dead serious... There ain't no money in spikes. There's money in sneakers," Lyles stated emphatically.
Lyles' ambition to have his signature sneaker is pioneering and reflective of the changing dynamics in sports marketing. Historically, track and field athletes have yet to be allowed to create their signature sneakers. The market has predominantly focused on athletes from more mainstream sports like basketball and football. However, Lyles sees a chance to change this narrative and elevate the visibility of track and field athletes within the sneaker industry.
There's talk right now about sprinters getting sneakers and Michael Johnson never getting a sneaker. But he did, and I talked to him about it 8 years ago (he was awesome to talk to).
To understand the rarity of Lyles' request, one can look back at the limited history of signature sneakers for track athletes. Matthew Welty of Complex highlighted an obscure model from the legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, the Nike Air Zoom JST, released in limited quantities in the late ‘90s. Despite his remarkable achievements, Johnson never received the sneaker endorsement that his contemporaries in other sports enjoyed. Lyles mentioned Johnson in his interview, noting the absence of a signature sneaker for the track icon, thereby underscoring the gap he hopes to bridge.
Since the days of Michael Johnson, sneakers have transcended their athletic origins to become essential fashion statements and symbols of personal identity. For Lyles, a signature sneaker represents a business opportunity and a platform to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans.
As Lyles continues to blaze trails on the track, his vision for a signature sneaker could very well become a reality, setting a new precedent and opening doors for future athletes in his sport. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app for more updates on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
