In track and field, sneaker deals are a rarity. Unlike the NBA or Soccer, where stars often land lucrative shoe endorsements, sprinters and distance runners are typically limited to performance spikes that never make it to the mainstream. Even some of the sport’s biggest legends, like four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, never received their lifestyle sneaker. That’s why Noah Lyles, one of today’s fastest men alive, has been vocal about changing that time and again. But now, it seems another track and field athlete is calling him out, turning the spotlight from ambition to mockery.
Following Noah Lyles’ gold medal run in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lyles made headlines not for his time on the clock but for what he said off the track: “…I want a sneaker. Ain’t no money in spikes. There’s money in sneakers.” And while Lyles’ comments lit up social media and sparked conversations across sports media, he didn’t stop there.
While criticizing Adidas, his sponsor, Lyles questioned why they had prioritized an NBA star for a signature shoe, despite Edwards not having reached the NBA Finals at the time. But not everyone’s buying into Lyles’ sneaker push. Well, Erin Brown, a former NCAA sprinter from Grand Canyon University (GCU), is known for both his speed and his sharp social media wit.
Brown took to X with a subtle jab at Lyles’ demands by invoking one of the sport’s most beloved legends: “50 years after passing away in a car accident, Steve Prefontaine gets his shoe from Nike despite never winning an Olympic medal.” The post featured a picture of Prefontaine alongside an image of the Nike sneaker released in his honor, ” Vaporfly 4 Pre Montreal,” contrasted with a photo of Lyles wearing Adidas spikes.
50 years after passing away in a car accident. Steve Prefontaine gets his own shoe from Nike despite never winning an Olympic medal. pic.twitter.com/xEiFQ3oiMv
— The Erin Brown (@TheErinBrown) June 4, 2025
The unspoken message? Even though Prefontaine never won Olympic gold, he’s been immortalized with a signature sneaker, while Noah Lyles, despite his gold medal success, still hasn’t. Well, we know Steve Prefontaine, who held every American distance record from 2,000 to 10,000 meters, became a cultural icon not because of Olympic medals—he finished fourth in the 5,000m at the 1972 Munich Games—but because of his fierce racing spirit and fight for athlete rights.
Tragically killed in a car crash at just 24 in 1975, his name has lived on through films, books, and a passionate fan base. Now, 50 years after his death, Nike has finally honored him with a signature shoe, despite him never standing on an Olympic podium. By drawing this comparison, Erin Brown wasn’t just making fun, but he was making a point.
In a world where athletes increasingly chase commercial validation, Brown’s jab at Noah Lyles raises a deeper question: Is a signature shoe earned by medals, marketability, or the kind of legacy that inspires generations? But for now, Noah has been pretty open about his shoe deals. Remember when he got roasted last year for that? Yeah, that was something.
Noah Lyles voices frustration over Adidas’ priorities in the shoe launch event
In a June 2024 interview with TIME, Noah Lyles expressed frustration over Adidas inviting him to an event celebrating Anthony Edwards’ signature shoe launch, the AE1. He questioned why the brand would prioritize an NBA player who hadn’t reached the NBA Finals over a world champion track athlete like himself.
Lyles remarked, “You want to invite me to [an event for] a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals? In a sport that you don’t even care about? And you’re giving him a shoe?” This comment sparked a backlash from NBA fans and players, leading Lyles to clarify his stance on social media. He stated, “There is a rumor going around that I did not go to [Anthony Edwards’] shoe release because he didn’t deserve …. That is not the case; he definitely deserves his shoes. He … engagements.”
But time and again, Lyles has long advocated for a signature sneaker, emphasizing that track spikes offer limited commercial potential. He highlighted that even track legends like Michael Johnson didn’t have their signature shoes, making his case for one even more compelling. Following his Olympic victory, Lyles reiterated his desire for a personalized trainer and sneaker, stating, “There’s money in sneakers.”
But that’s not all. During the period of the AE1 launch, Lyles was in the midst of contract negotiations with Adidas. He later secured a lucrative multi-year extension, reportedly the richest deal in track and field since Usain Bolt’s contract with Puma. Despite this, Lyles expressed feeling “unheard” by Adidas, suggesting that his public comments were a way to draw attention to his concerns.
While the initial comments caused a stir, Noah Lyles and Edwards have since moved past the controversy. Adidas has not publicly commented on the matter, but the situation has highlighted the challenges athletes face in securing endorsement deals and the complexities of brand relationships.
The post Noah Lyles Mocked by NCAA Star Over Adidas Demand with Nike Legend Comparison appeared first on EssentiallySports.
