U.S. track and field athlete Noah Lyles has clarified his recent remarks about Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. The 27-year-old sprinter, who has had a history of disagreements with the NBA, caused a stir with his comments in August 2023, where he questioned whether NBA champions deserved the “World Champions” title.
Noah Lyles Clears Up His Controversial Remarks About Anthony Edwards
Noah Lyles found himself in the spotlight once again after an excerpt from a June 2024 TIME magazine interview with Sean Gregory circulated on social media. In the interview, Lyles expressed surprise about being invited by his sponsor, Adidas, to a shoe event for the launch of Anthony Edwards’s first signature sneaker, the Adidas AE1, which was likely held in late 2023. Lyles later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that his absence was due to a scheduling conflict, not dissatisfaction.
There is a rumor going around that I did not go to @theantedwards_ shoe release because he didn’t deserve it. That is not the case he definitely deserves his shoes he is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagements.
Congratulations on Becoming an…— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) August 12, 2024
In addition, Lyles congratulated Edwards on winning a gold medal with Team USA in men’s basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Lyles himself secured a gold in the men’s 100 meters and a bronze in the men’s 200 meters at the Paris Games, and he also earned a bronze in the men’s 200 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Virginia native, who has accumulated six gold medals at the World Athletics Championships, signed a new, highly lucrative endorsement deal with Adidas in February 2024. This agreement is the most significant track-and-field endorsement deal since Usain Bolt. Edwards also renewed his contract with Adidas last month, reportedly worth eight figures annually, following the success of his signature sneaker.
Noah Lyles’ Previous Remarks About Anthony Edwards
Noah Lyles told TIME last June that he was initially upset upon discovering that the two-time NBA All-Star was given a signature shoe before him, despite not having achieved significant milestones in the NBA. He also expressed his own ambition to have a signature shoe.
Lyles remarked, “You want to do what? You want to invite me to an event for a player who hasn’t even reached the NBA Finals? In a sport you don’t even follow? And you’re giving him a shoe? No disrespect: he’s a fantastic athlete having a great year. I appreciate that they recognized his potential with a shoe deal. But I’m left wondering, ‘How could you not see that potential in me?’”
His comments about Edwards and the NBA champions have drawn criticism from various figures in the league, including both current and retired players, as well as media personalities.
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