The world of track and field is filled with glamour; one just needs the right level of success to have it all. In addition to fame, athletes earn massive paychecks through prize money and sponsorships. With Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek dominating the American track scene for quite some time, fans are naturally curious about their paydays.
Both of them are Olympic medalists, Diamond League stalwarts, and faces of global brands; however, when it comes to individual payment, things change a little. As the stars prepare for Tokyo, let’s have a closer look at the financial chapter of their lives.
Noah Lyles’ Net Worth and Career Earnings in 2025
So, how much is the biggest star in the sport worth? Well, the sprinting superstar has been on an upswing in his financial aspects. Back in 2022, Lyles was worth around $3.4 million; it jumped to $3.7 million in 2023, and as of 2025, the Tokyo Olympic medalist is worth around $7 million.
Widely seen as the face of modern sprinting, Lyles has built his financial empire not just by winning races, but by becoming a global brand. Now, many might wonder, does the league pay so much? Well, the reality is quite opposite, the winner of the Diamond League earns around $10000, the amount is thrice in the Diamond League Finale, but it is still way less than what other athletes make. So, how does Lyles have such a huge net worth?
Track & Field: World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Aug 18, 2023 Budapest, Hungary Noah Lyles USA at press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 at National Athletics Centre. Budapest National Athletics Centre, Hungary, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20230818_jel_al2_033
Sponsorships and a personal brand that sells more than the sport itself. His partnership with RedBull, Adidas, and Omega endorsement gives him a ton of wealth. We’ll discuss that later in the article, but first, let’s take a look at his opponent’s net worth.
Kenny Bednarek Net Worth and Career Earnings in 2025
While Kenny Bednarek might not be as popular as Noah Lyles, his name still echoes in the world of track and field as one of Lyles’ fiercest competitors. ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ defeated Lyles when it mattered most—at the Tokyo Olympics—edging him out to claim the silver medal and leaving Lyles with the bronze.
So, how much is Bednarek worth? As per the latest estimates, the sprinter is worth between $1 million million. Well, we can only estimate his financial wealth because ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ keeps it well hidden.
Grand Slam Track Philadelphia 2025 – Day One PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES MAY 31: Kenny Bednarek of USA wins in the Men’s 200 Meters during the third leg of the Grand Slam Track series at the historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on May 31, 2025. Stringer / Anadolu Pennsylvania United States. Editorial use only. Please get in touch for any other usage. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2025xAnadoluxStringerx
His main financial backing comes from Nike, which signed him early after his breakthrough in 2019. While not as flashy as Lyles in the public eye, Bednarek has secured reliable brand collaborations, including deals with Mattress Firm and lifestyle companies targeting sports recovery and performance. Bednarek’s earnings grew tremendously after he won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, let’s have a head-on-head comparison of their net worth.
Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek Net Worth Comparison
Athlete
Estimated Net Worth
Primary earning source
Noah Lyles
$5 million-$7 million
Sports league and main sponsor like Adidas
Kenny Bednarek
$1 million-$5 million
Sports league and main sponsor like Nike
BWhat’s interesting is that both of them are in the same league, so one might wonder why Lyles has such an uptick in his net worth. Well, have a bird’s-eye view of their rivalry. Lyles has a record of 13-2 against Bednarek. In addition to that, he has been winning medals since 2017, which means his endorsement value is higher. So, more medals on the global level attract more premium and lengthy contracts that grab international brand demand.
While Bednarek is carving out his legacy in the sport, for now, it’s Lyles who remains the face of it. But who knows — the future might have something different in store.
How Do Sprinters Like Lyles and Bednarek Make Their Money?
So, how do these people make so much money? Well, let us first talk about how much the events pay them. Diamond League wins around $10,000 per race, with overall series bonuses. However, World and Olympic medals can bring six-figure payouts, especially with federation bonuses and appearance incentives. The event money is just a fraction of their income; most of their paycheck comes from brand deals such as Nike and Adidas.
In addition to that, top athletes receive media invitations for appearances and even participate in YouTube vlogs, which provide them with greater exposure and better pay.
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