Noah Lyles breaks silence on not attending Anthony Edwards' Adidas shoe release event
Noah Lyles opened up on reports of not attending Anthony Edwards' Adidas shoe event. The rumors said Lyles was offended after getting invited to the launch, insinuating that Edwards didn't deserve to have his signature line because he hadn't made the NBA Finals.
However, Lyles has denied the reported reasons. He debunked the report on Monday morning on his 'X,' formerly Twitter, account.
"There is a rumor going around that I did not go to @theantedwards_ shoe release because he didn’t deserve it," Lyles wrote. "That is not the case he definitely deserves his shoes he is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagements. Congratulations on Becoming an Olympic champion!"
Lyles and the NBA world have been at loggerheads since the former questioned the "World Champions" status given to NBA title winners. Critics have often called him out, and the newest report on him not attending Edwards' shoe launch because he was 'offended' only fueled the anger towards the American track and field star.
However, Noah Lyles seemingly took control of that narrative after clarifying the report, saying it was only an issue of prior commitments, or else he would have made it to Anthony Edwards' event.
Noah Lyles wants his own signature shoes
The report about Noah Lyles dissing Anthony Edwards may have emerged in the wake of the track and field star wanting his own shoe line. After winning the 100-meter sprint gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lyles said he was 'dead serious' about this business venture.
"I want my own shoe," Lyles told reporters. "I want my own trainer. I am dead serious ... No I want a sneaker, there ain't no money in spikes. There's money in sneakers."
Lyles referenced America's legendary track and field champion, Michael Johnson, who didn't have a signature sneaker, either, to prove that track athletes deserve the recognition. Johnson won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships for the USA across multiple events.
Lyles suggested this was a way to honor players who have won medals for the country. Sneakers are more commonly associated with basketball players than other athletes because the shoe is synonymous with the sport. Fans often collect these shoes that can sell north of $100 on average.
If Noah Lyles manages to secure a deal with Adidas, his current sponsor, it could be a historic moment for him and the USA track and field sport.