Noah Lyles isn’t one to hold back, and his recent thoughts on Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track concept show just how serious he is about what the sport needs. While Lyles hasn’t signed on to the initiative (and it’s pretty clear he’s not just jumping on the bandwagon), he’s been vocal about where he thinks the idea falls short. According to Lyles, the track and field world is evolving positively, yet many challenges remain to make the Grand Slam Track concept function properly. But what are they?
Michael Johnson introduced Grand Slam Track as a way to unite passionate competition with compelling storytelling and transform track and field beyond simple line-first racing. According to Johnson, storytelling functioned as one of the major drivers in this initiative since spectators connect more deeply with athletes than with final times alone. But it seems Lyles holds several firm opinions about this method.
In his podcast, beyond the records, Noah Lyles pointed out that without actual stories behind the races, the concept could feel more like a shiny new gimmick than a real game-changer. He’s right—track fans want to know what drives the athletes, their personal struggles, their victories, and how they push through obstacles. The competition alone doesn’t always do that.
As Noah Lyles puts it, “I mean, they have the competition; you know, it’s time to put some stories and some feeling behind some of these athletes. And, you know, saying that one person might beat another person, in my opinion, is not a storyline.” It’s the behind-the-scenes journey that gets people emotionally invested. Despite his reservations, Lyles doesn’t shut down the entire idea.
He admits to keeping an eye on how the concept evolves. He even shares an example where he mentioned the recent post by Joseph Fahnbulleh. Fahnbulleh, before the GST, had shared alongside coach Mike Holloway their progress on improving block starts, which is a major area for many athletes. Lyles, knowing how difficult it can be to fix something as technical as a block start, appreciated the transparency and effort.
Noah Lyles even mentioned that it sparked something in him, thinking, ” let’s keep pushing that narrative that even though you might—somebody might not win—you still have a reason to root for each and every one of them individually because you connected with them.” But Lyles was quick to point out that this kind of behind-the-scenes effort is exactly what’s missing in the Grand Slam Track model right now.
Sure, the competition is there, but they need to incorporate these personal, relatable moments into the show. But was it just the reason that Noah Lyles wasn’t a part of this league?
Why is Noah Lyles sitting out the Grand Slam Track event?
Noah Lyles was not a part of any race of the Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica. His reasons? Well, it seems that goes beyond just the event’s scheduling. On his “Beyond The Records” podcast, Lyles didn’t hold back, sharing his concerns about the league’s approach to sponsorship and storytelling. “Money is not the thing that’s going to drive me every time,” he said.
He continued explaining that the lack of external sponsors for the event left him questioning the event’s long-term viability. “I haven’t even heard a block’s sponsor,” he added, noting that without big brand backing—like watch deals or betting companies—the league might struggle to maintain the interest of fans. But it wasn’t just the financial side that had Lyles skeptical; he also pointed out the lack of emotional connectivity.
Lyles emphasized that the Grand Slam Track needed more than just athletes pointing at the camera in promos. “I’ve seen enough of those. Where’s the one that gives me the storylines?” he said. For Lyles, what’s missing is the deeper connection between athletes and fans—something he’s always prioritized in his career. “You create this stadium that’s going to be used year-round,” he proposed, suggesting the league could benefit from more time to develop both its infrastructure and its brand.
Although Noah Lyles holds optimistic views about track and field’s future, he wants to witness additional groundwork before joining the new initiative. “I would love nothing more than for this to be successful,” he concluded. For now, Lyles maintains a wait-and-see attitude about the Grand Slam Track because it requires meaningful storytelling coupled with proper planning to draw sustained fan interest.
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