Michael Johnson is the brains behind the Grand Slam Track concept, and Noah Lyles has never concealed his interest in it. The $30 million project might put an end to the issue that Noah has been vocal about, which is the athletes’ inadequate compensation. The 27-year-old sprinter even praised GST, saying, “There are a lot of positive elements; having a pay for athletes is amazing.” Will he, however, come on board?
The Olympic 100-meter champion is still unsure about his response. By disclosing the reason he isn’t signing with Grand Slam Track, Noah threw a monkey wrench into the works on Shannon Sharpe’s Nightcap program. His indecisiveness has caused considerable agitation and has even displeased some Olympians!
The current Olympic champion stated on Nightcap that he was unaware of any Grand Slam Track TV provider. He needs to know this information before he signs the agreement. In response, Justin Gatlin stressed the value of live broadcasts and cautioned, “TV is excellent, but be careful what you ask for,” on his Ready Set Go podcast. The severe warning is sure to pique interest because Noah made a valid point in his response to both Sharpe and co-host Chad Ochocinco.
For track athletes, the Grand Slam Track will offer the biggest purse. Each event’s winner will receive a whooping $100,000 in prize money, but the eighth-place finisher will also receive compensation. However, the TV rights issue is still very much alive and well. Noah stated, “The thing that is stopping me at the heart of it is I have yet to hear of a TV provider,” in reference to that problem.
August 7, 2024, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, for the men’s 200-meter semifinals of the athletics competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. American Noah Lyles reacts after placing second in the second semifinal.
When it comes to criticising the current track scene, where rivalries are at an all-time high, Noah Lyles didn’t hold back. Although he enjoys exciting performances, he doubts their worth when no one is present. The six-time world champion makes it quite evident that there is more to it than just on-field activity. There are a few more important elements that Grand Slam Track needs to take care of if it wants his mark, like making sure there’s a sizable audience to see those great showdowns.
One important point made by Justin Gatlin on his podcast is that races should not take place at six in the morning or at 11:30 at night in order to avoid being on television. Do you understand what I mean? “Time slots are essential, and when you think you’re watching ESPN, you can end up on ESPN Three,” he continued. Gatlin’s worry is evident: the success of the sport depends on timing and exposure.
He also emphasised the need of excellent streaming. Gatlin states that the intention is to increase the excitement, speed, and accessibility in track and field. He stated, “Track and field should become more thrilling, more streamlined,” highlighting the need for improved coverage to reflect the dynamic essence of the sport.
The NBC-FloTrack fiasco hasn’t helped the track and field streaming problems; they’ve simply gotten worse. Particularly vocal about these problems, Noah Lyles reflects the wider annoyances in the sport!
The Wanda Diamond League and FloSports have reached a multi-year agreement to stream 14 of the 15 events on Flotrack beginning in 2025, but Noah Lyles is pointing out the obvious. The TV and streaming rights were formerly owned by NBC Sports until 2017, when World Athletics inked a 10-year agreement with NBC in 2020 for further significant events.
But that contract doesn’t include the Diamond League, so FloTrack, which charges $29.99 per month or $149.99 per year for a membership, will handle the streaming. Prior to FloSports taking over, fans could watch the Diamond League on NBC stations or stream it on Peacock. However, with FloSports taking over, the subscription fee is expected to rise, which could discourage new viewers and hurt the appeal of the sport.
Noah Lyles, who hosts the Nightcap podcast, expressed his disapproval of this change, saying, “It hurts because I knew this was going to happen,” and he raised the possibility that it might result in a drop in interest in the sport. Though it lacks live feeds and areas for fan involvement, Netflix’s Sprint docuseries has received accolades for its insider stories and athlete biographies, which may offer Noah some hope for a solution.
Sprint thus falls short of fulfilling Justin Gatlin’s concerns, notwithstanding his optimism, regarding improved live broadcasting and fan interaction. Is it possible to balance these demands and guarantee the expansion of the sport? Post your ideas in the comments section below!
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