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Noah Lyles, Adidas Sign Richest Track And Field Contract Since Usain Bolt

By Chris Chavez

February 26, 2024

Six-time world championship gold medalist Noah Lyles has signed a contract extension with adidas that will keep him in their spikes and apparel through the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. His agency, Global Athletics and Marketing, Inc., announced the deal and noted that “the agreement involves extensive commitments both on and off the track and is the richest contract in the sport of track and field since the retirement of Usain Bolt.”

Here’s what you need to know:

– Lyles has been an adidas athlete since turning pro as a high schooler following the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials when he finished fourth.

– Exact dollar value amounts and specific details of the contract were not disclosed, which is typical for many track and field contracts since the athletes sign non-disclosure agreements.

– Lyles has won three consecutive world championship gold medals in the 200m. Last summer, he dropped down the 100m and managed to win gold at the World Championships in Budapest. He became the first man since Usain Bolt to win gold in both events since 2015. Lyles also added a third gold medal in the 4x100m relay. He boasts personal bests of 9.83 and 19.31 for 100m and 200m.

– Lyles also has partnerships with Omega, Celsius, Comcast and Visa.

What he said:

Lyles (via press release): “When I first signed with adidas in 2016 along with my brother, Josephus, that was like a dream come true for us. And today is just a continuation of that childhood dream. Adidas is not only taking care of me and my family at a level I could only imagine, but they understand me and my vision – not only do I want to achieve all I can in this sport both on and off the track, but I want to make real change and improvements in the sport and how it’s run for the generations that come after me. That is what drives me.”

What’s next?

– Lyles will run the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. He heads into the meet with the world's fastest time of the year in 6.43 from when he beat 60m world record holder Christian Coleman at the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Our thoughts:

The public really wants these contract details to be public. However, I wouldn’t hold your breath. In 2015, the Toronto Star reported that Andre De Grasse signed the most lucrative initial contract in track and field with his $11.25 million deal with PUMA. As noted by Kyle Merber: “If this is richer and through 2028 then is it safe to assume this contract is at least $2.3M/year.”

For what it's worth – depending on how accurate these lists are: When Usain Bolt made Forbes' Highest-Paid Entertainers list in 2017, it was estimated that he made $34.2 million with the estimate on his PUMA deal being $10M+ annually while also pulling other big sponsors.

Chris Chavez

Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.