Noah Lyles has never been one to hold his tongue. But his latest revelation might be his boldest yet. After turning down an offer from Michael Johnson’s newly formed Grand Slam Track league, Lyles didn’t sugarcoat his reasoning. It wasn’t about money, he claimed. Instead, it was about its worth. “That number is not a fraction of what my worth is right now,” Lyles declared, leaving no doubt that he views himself as more than just another sprinter. But while the Olympian continues on his “Not marketable enough” viewpoint, he has now gotten some unlikely support. 

But what’s more surprising is that it’s the Jamaican fans, known for their fierce loyalty to their own, that are stepping in to back him. Most track enthusiasts expected backlash over Lyles’ dismissal of the Grand Slam Track league. Particularly from purists who support any initiative pushing the sport forward. Surprisingly, the Olympic gold medalist found support in a rather unlikely corner. Jamaican track and field supporters, typically seen rallying behind their national icons like Usain Bolt or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, have begun echoing Lyles’ concern.

Why? Because they, too, see the bigger picture. That the league, however noble its intentions, still hasn’t figured out how to truly sell the sport. Lyles explained he did have early talks with Johnson but said the pitch never resonated. “When he came to me and asked me to be a part of it, he gave me a number,” Lyles shared in a conversation with Cam Newton.

“And we said that number is not a fraction of what my worth is right now,” Lyles further added. That moment stuck with him, especially when the offer failed to evolve even after his Olympic wins. But it wasn’t just about the money. For Lyles, it was the lack of strategy, visibility, and marketing power that made him back away. “At the time, he could not give me enough reason in my head to believe that I was going to, market-wise, get enough value from it,” he said bluntly.

Lyles’ most telling remark came when he turned to Newton and asked, “Have you ever heard of Grand Slam Track?” When Newton responded with a quiet “No,” Lyles didn’t miss a beat. “That proves my point,” Lyles concluded. That quick exchange summed up Lyles’ argument better than any financial figure. He believes track needs more than races and prize money.

It needs marketing, storytelling, and visibility. His Netflix fame, born from the docuseries Sprint, skyrocketed his brand beyond the sport’s borders. “After that came out, I was more popular than I have ever been,” the Olympic gold medalist admitted. “I went out in London and I had high schoolers coming up to me and be like, ‘Yo, you the guy from Netflix.’” Lyles pointed out.

Surely, Lyles’ vision for track and field isn’t just personal. It’s transformational. His refusal to join Grand Slam Track wasn’t rooted in ego but in frustration over how the sport is packaged. And Jamaican fans, surprisingly, seem to agree. Perhaps they see a bit of their legacy in his fight. For excellence, visibility, and true respect. If anything, their support just confirmed what Lyles has been saying all along. Track stars shouldn’t have to settle.

Noah Lyles gets Jamaican fans’ backing

As soon as Lyles’ point of view became public, fans flocked to the comments section. While many assumed Lyles would face backlash for calling Grand Slam Track “not marketable enough,” one Jamaican supporter defended his bluntness, saying, “The problem people have with Noah is because he is forthright. Leave the man; let him give his honest comments.” For them, his rejection wasn’t disrespectful.

Lyles’ business-first mindset also found unexpected defenders. One track enthusiast commented, “Every prospective employee has the opportunity to negotiate, and if that negotiation is not in Noah’s favor, he has the right to walk away.” The sentiment echoes Jamaican appreciation for athletes who know their value, something deeply ingrained in their own track culture built on champions like Bolt.

Some Jamaicans didn’t shy away from holding Lyles accountable either. As one YouTube user pointed out, “We’re being harsh on Noah because HE said he wanted to build the sport!” The criticism is firm, yet layered. It acknowledged disappointment while also accepting that expectations were high because Lyles’ voice carries weight, even in Jamaica. Still, there was space for balanced analysis.

As one fan remarked, “Noah and other track stars do have valid reasons for not competing in GST.” Yet they also questioned the tone Lyles and others used, saying they “more or less laughed at it on their little podcast.” Despite the critique, the takeaway was clear: Lyles’ reasons were fair, even if the delivery ruffled feathers. Thus, with things getting a lot more interesting, it now remains to be seen how the situation pans out in the future.