In a recent interview with Time Magazine, track and field star Noah Lyles made headlines by unexpectedly putting Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star Anthony Edwards in the spotlight. Despite their respective successes in entirely different sports, both Lyles and Edwards share a common connection as Adidas endorsers. However, Lyles’ remarks during his sit-down with Sean Gregory in June this year have stirred the pot, raising questions about the sports world’s hierarchy and the value of athletic achievements.
During the interview, Lyles expressed his incredulity at being invited to an event for Anthony Edwards, a player who has yet to reach the NBA Finals. His comments were laced with a tone of frustration and disbelief, as he questioned the logic behind Adidas’ decision to give Edwards his own signature shoe:
“You want to do what? You want to invite me to an event for a guy who hasn’t even reached the NBA Finals? In a sport that you don’t even care about? And you’re giving him a shoe? No disrespect—he’s an incredible athlete, having an outstanding year. I appreciate that Adidas recognized his potential. But I can’t help but wonder, how did they miss that with me?”
Noah Lyles was offended when Adidas invited him to an Anthony Edwards event last year
“You want to do what? 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?” 😬
(Via… pic.twitter.com/f55eq3JzMN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 11, 2024
Lyles’ remarks have undoubtedly caught the attention of the sports community, as his words seemed to challenge the significance of Edwards’ achievements in comparison to his own. Despite his dominance on the track and his recent surge in popularity following his gold medal win in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, Lyles couldn’t help but express his disappointment over not receiving the same recognition from Adidas.
Anthony Edwards has yet to respond to Lyles’ comments, but the controversy quickly gained traction on social media. NBACentel, a well-known parody account that typically trolls NBA players, took it upon themselves to defend Edwards with a sharp retort aimed at Lyles:
“I didn’t even know who this guy was before he said world champs of what, he’s a failed Usain Bolt wannabe.”
Anthony Edwards responds back to Noah Lyles:
“I didn’t even know who this guy was before he said world champs of what, he’s a failed Usain Bolt wannabe.” 😳 pic.twitter.com/Dfo6KQ3Zj1
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) August 12, 2024
The post, which quickly went viral, reflected the sentiments of many NBA fans who were surprised by Lyles’ seemingly out-of-the-blue criticism of Edwards. NBACentel, typically known for its humorous takes on NBA players, stepped outside its usual realm to take a shot at the track star, signaling the broad reach of the controversy.
Jalen Brunson, a teammate of Edwards on Team USA during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, also chimed in on X (formerly Twitter). His reaction encapsulated the disbelief that many felt upon hearing Lyles’ comments:
“Damn I thought this was Centel.”
Damn I thought this was Centel https://t.co/jgTuPK0JIH
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) August 11, 2024
Brunson’s comment was a nod to the parody account, suggesting that Lyles’ comments were so outlandish they could have easily been mistaken for satire. Centel, ever quick on the draw, responded by posting a fabricated reply from Edwards, keeping the conversation alive as fans eagerly await the real response from the Timberwolves’ franchise player.
Both Edwards and Lyles were part of Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, each contributing to the nation’s medal haul in their respective disciplines. Anthony Edwards played a pivotal role in helping the USA basketball team secure a gold medal, further solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s most promising young stars. His contributions on the court have not only earned him accolades but also a signature shoe line with Adidas, which debuted with the AE 1 in December 2023.
Noah Lyles, on the other hand, made history by becoming the first American sprinter in 20 years to win the gold in the 100m. His victory marked a significant moment for U.S. track and field, and he also added a bronze medal to his collection by placing third in the 200m. Despite his achievements, Lyles’ sport does not enjoy the same level of global popularity as the NBA, which perhaps explains why Adidas chose to spotlight Edwards over Lyles with a signature shoe line.
The AE 1, Edwards’ inaugural shoe with Adidas, was a commercial success, and a follow-up edition, the AE 2, is expected to drop at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. Lyles, undoubtedly hoping for similar recognition, expressed his desire for a comparable deal with Adidas, particularly in the wake of his Olympic triumph.
Noah Lyles’ comments about Anthony Edwards bring to light an interesting discussion about the intersection of sports performance and marketability. While Lyles is a dominant figure in track and field, a sport with a rich Olympic history, the reality is that the NBA enjoys a much larger global following. This disparity in popularity inevitably influences endorsement deals, such as Adidas’ decision to invest in Edwards as a basketball star with global appeal.
From a marketing standpoint, the decision to back Edwards with a signature shoe line makes sense. Basketball, particularly the NBA, commands a massive audience, both in the United States and internationally. The visibility and commercial potential of a player like Edwards far exceed that of an athlete in a less globally followed sport like track and field. This reality, however, does not diminish Lyles’ accomplishments or his valid desire for recognition, but it does highlight the business considerations that often drive decisions in the world of sports endorsements.
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