We don't need you - American Athletics legend Michael Johnson tells Noah Lyles amidst GST launch

Michael Johnson and Noah Lyles.

We don't need you - American Athletics legend Michael Johnson tells Noah Lyles amidst GST launch

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 04:00 - 09.02.2025

American and Athletics legend Michael Johnson has made a stunning prediction about Noah Lyles.

American track and field legend Michael Johnson has made it clear that his newly formed Grand Slam Track (GST) league will proceed successfully, even without the participation of Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.

Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, emphasised the strength of the league's current roster during an appearance on Radio Row in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX1.

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GST, set to launch its inaugural season in April with its first meet in Kingston, Jamaica, has already secured a media deal to broadcast events on The CW network and stream them on Peacock, increasing accessibility for fans.

According to a report from TalkSport, the league has garnered over $30 million in financial commitments and promises significant financial rewards, including $100,000 first prizes and a total prize pool exceeding $12.6 million.

Noah Lyles is the Olympic champion.

The league has signed 48 elite athletes, referred to as "GST Racers," and plans to attract an additional 48 athletes, or "GST Challengers," to each meet using appearance fees.

The current roster includes stars like Fred Kerley, Devon Allen, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Gabby Thomas. Despite this impressive lineup, Lyles has previously expressed reluctance to join GST, stating he would only consider participating if the league secured a broadcast partner.

Michael Johnson is the founder of the Grand Slam Track League

Per the report, Johnson addressed Lyles' situation directly, stating, "We've already signed our 48 racers...They can come in if they want...If we have nobody else but those athletes, this is the first time we've ever had the fastest together.”

He affirmed the league's confidence in its current athletes, stating that they are all accomplished in their own right.

Olympic champion Noah Lyles
Olympic champion Noah Lyles Olympic champion Noah Lyles

Acknowledging Lyles' concerns about the visibility of track and field outside the Olympics, however, Johnson noted that GST aims to address this issue by bringing the sport to a broader audience through its media partnerships.

"One of the things that Noah was rightly complaining about is the fact that outside the Olympics, it's hard for people to find this product, this sport because it's not on network TV,” he added.

Michael Johnson believes GST has a star-studded line up.

GST's inaugural season will run from April to September 2025, with events also scheduled for Los Angeles, Miramar, and Philadelphia.

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