As track and field fans, we’ve been glued to Noah Lyles’ every move since he blazed to 100m Olympic gold in Paris 2024, clocking a blistering 9.784 seconds. The man’s a showman, a sprinter, and now, a loud voice in the sport’s future. Lyles has been firing off hot takes about Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST), a bold new league aiming to shake up track with a $12.6 million prize pool and global broadcasts in over 100 countries. From our bleacher seats, his critiques hit hard because they come from a place of passion, but only now reveals the reasons behind his severe criticism. He sees GST as the sport’s big shot at professionalism. But what’s got Noah so fired up about this league?
Lyles, never one to hold back, laid it all out on the Beyond the Records podcast, saying, “I do want it to succeed. I don’t know what it looks like in the background, but I would like to see it succeed. And I’m probably so critical of it because it’s the closest thing we’ve had to having professionalism” For fans, this is classic Lyles: colorful, candid, and cutting.
“And I think that might be why so many people are so critical of it—because it’s so close,” He’s hyping GST’s potential to be a game-changer, particularly after being so critical. GST’s got 96 top athletes, yet, Lyles skipped the inaugural Kingston event in November 2024, signaling he’s not sold yet. So, what’s holding him back from lacing up for GST?
The answer lies in the flaws Lyles sees in GST’s game plan. He’s been vocal about its shaky start, from a lack of a broadcast partner early on to a confusing schedule that had 100m and 100m hurdles titles overlapping—marketing chaos, as he put it. “Everybody’s saying, ‘You could be the one, you could be the one,’ so everybody wants to give their two cents on why they think or how they believe you should build the bridge,” Lyles said. He’s worried about the league’s $30 million investment drying up without a sustainable model. Attendance at Kingston’s National Stadium was sparse, and even stars like Grant Holloway and Rai Benjamin griped about excessive downtime and lackluster TV coverage. Can GST fix these missteps to win over skeptics like Lyles?
Lyles’ criticism isn’t just shade—it’s a roadmap for GST to level up. He’s suggested a dedicated stadium hosting four annual Slams, stronger city partnerships, and better storytelling to hook fans like us. “And that’s a good word, you know? It’s a heavy burden, but it’s almost like, ‘Oh my gosh, they could really do it,’” he said, capturing the high stakes.
He wants GST to nail the basics: slick TV production, engaging rivalries, and sponsors to keep the lights on. Others, like Holloway, have echoed the need for less downtime. Johnson’s already teasing new athletes for the next event, but Lyles’ absence looms large. Will his critiques push GST to evolve, or will the league stick to its current playbook? Besides Noah’s critique, stars are also hailing the league.
GST also showered with praises by star athletes
While Noah Lyles has been vocal about Grand Slam Track’s (GST) growing pains, star athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have showered the league with praise for its bold vision. “The opportunities for the athletes to really compete and show two different sides of themselves, and also get compensated well for it,” the hurdlersa said, highlighting GST’s hefty prize pool, with $100,000 for first and $10,000 for eighth.
Her enthusiasm reflects the excitement among the 96 athletes who competed in Kingston, drawn by the chance to shine on a global stage in over 100 countries. But what else are athletes raving about?
British sprinter Daryl Neita echoed the praise, focusing on GST’s athlete-first approach. “One thing I love about Grand Slam Track is just the care to detail. Also the prizes, we love money,” Neita said, grinning about the lucrative payouts and perks like business-class flights. Michael Johnson, GST’s founder, reacted with a succinct “Love this” on X, signaling his delight at the positive buzz. Despite critiques, these endorsements show GST’s potential to redefine track and field’s future. Will more stars join the chorus as the Miami Slam approaches?
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