Lyles almost cost himself a spot in the 200M

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:

I wouldn't be surprised at age 21 maybe as I wrote. The fact is he is 3+ years from playing pro football for major money. He will get paid as much or more as a track athlete in this span while not risking his long-term health for a college team and associated sponsors that will discard of him if anything goes wrong. Nobody advising him at the moment including his sponsor Adidas would want him playing football until after LA.

A major part of the point I am trying to make is that with the anticipated free-for-all coming in the NCAA, a star football player may be able to pocket incredible sums of money now, while in college. It would not be NFL money but it could very well be sprinter money.

Do you believe Adidas believes they will get a bigger return from a sprinter in a non-marquee event (200) than an Alabama, then NFL, star receiver? Please compare the notoriety to the general public of a star football receiver versus Noah Lyles, ..........whether he slowed in his heat or not

Well I mean he's good but far from guaranteed he's a star NFL player. A lot has to go right between now and the NFL draft. A lot of promising prospects fall off.

And considering he's breaking records owned by Usain Bolt, I'm going to say, Adidas does believe that. The reason De Grasse got his big contract was because he was viewed as "the next Bolt". Any sprinter where you can compare or throw the name "Bolt" in a sentence with will be a big draw even for the casual fan.

Opinionated guy wrote:

A major part of the point I am trying to make is that with the anticipated free-for-all coming in the NCAA, a star football player may be able to pocket incredible sums of money now, while in college. It would not be NFL money but it could very well be sprinter money.

Do you believe Adidas believes they will get a bigger return from a sprinter in a non-marquee event (200) than an Alabama, then NFL, star receiver? Please compare the notoriety to the general public of a star football receiver versus Noah Lyles, ..........whether he slowed in his heat or not

He plays WR not QB or RB. If he was RG3, you'd have a point. But the truth is that even if he is lights-out as a college WR a la Ja'Marr Chase or Devonta Smith, they didn't generate the name value he will now have if he establishes himself as a gold medal favorite in the coming years The 100 also is open for him, he ran 9.99 (+2.7) and I'm sure he will look to run both events. He would get paid as a college athlete IF he produces don't get me wrong but there's no guarantee that would happen immediately at all. And the ceiling is not that high for a WR in college.

He mentioned in a recent interview he had an injury stopping him from doing 400, but he also mentioned the world’s fastest man gets the all prizes so he may probably stay in the 100 for the money/visibility aspect.

I am not viewing this as an "I'm right and you are wrong" type thing and I thank you guys for coming across in the same manner.

Have you seen the OLYMPIC tv ratings? The Olympics is the super bowl of t&f and contested once every 4 years. Ratings have been below an average conference college football game and a fraction of NFL big games. The time zone factor, lack of spectators, and other things factor into this but the fact remains that Adidas is aware of this.

Points that Knighton is unproven as a football receiver and is not a QB are taken.

What is the value of De Grasse's contract? Maybe I am underestimating the $ a runner can make. However, De Grasse runs the 100, the most followed event in t & f versus the 200, one of the least followed running events. Knighton has 100 potential but currently is not on that radar.

I think starting above average skill players from top 10 football programs will earn significant money, while in college.

A QB just gave up his senior year of high school to enroll at Ohio State where he is expected to make up to $1.5 million in endorsements this coming year in which he will sit out football. A WR is not a QB but a 200 runner is not a football skill player.

I hope you guys are right and Knighton explores his sprint talents.

elementtt wrote:

jmk23 wrote:

What's up with the US men's sprinters this year? Particularly the favorites (Bromell, Norman, Lyles).... If you throw in Brazier not even making the team, what could have been a amazing Olympics for the US men seems pretty meh. Thank god for relays and the hurdlers.

Definitely wondering the same thing. Bromell crashes out, Norman didn't look too good and barely made it through, Lyles all year has been off besides the trials final. Brazier injured or miscalculated how Jewitt was going to run at trials. Kerley did good. He's 100% doing all this to build for a WR attempt at 400. Our only hope for gold was Benjamin who obliterated the WR just for it to be absolutely obliterated by Warholm. Looks like the 4x4 and 4x1 is what we may be taking gold in hopefully.

He mentioned he had an injury stopping him from doing 400, but he also mentioned the world’s fastest man gets the all prizes so he may probably stay in the 100 for the money/visibility aspect.

This is ADG's contract:

"Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse made track and field history Friday, signing the most lucrative initial contract ever in the sport.

The 21-year-old from Markham, Ont., inked a multi-year deal with Puma worth approximately $11.25 million U.S. ($15 million Canadian).With bonuses, he could earn as much as $30 million (U.S.), his agency Doyle Management told The Canadian Press."

So yes, more than 1.5M base (included 4M guaranteed for what it was worth). Note this was years ago. There is major money for sprinters, and I agree Knighton being able to run the 100 will be big to maximize the money. Still, at this rate he is hitting his bonuses and if he wants to unlock non-shoe endorsements that will be fully on the table as well. Prize money and appearance fees could start getting nice and lucrative as well.

elementtt wrote:

jmk23 wrote:

What's up with the US men's sprinters this year? Particularly the favorites (Bromell, Norman, Lyles).... If you throw in Brazier not even making the team, what could have been a amazing Olympics for the US men seems pretty meh. Thank god for relays and the hurdlers.

Definitely wondering the same thing. Bromell crashes out, Norman didn't look too good and barely made it through, Lyles all year has been off besides the trials final. Brazier injured or miscalculated how Jewitt was going to run at trials. Kerley did good. He's 100% doing all this to build for a WR attempt at 400. Our only hope for gold was Benjamin who obliterated the WR just for it to be absolutely obliterated by Warholm. Looks like the 4x4 and 4x1 is what we may be taking gold in hopefully.

Because they all had to come off their juice earlier than usual as WADA is aware and waiting for them,hence all the poor performances.

USA-State sponsored druggies of the world.

It was so sloppy from him, lucky he made it through if not it would have been an unforgivable mistake. What blows my mind is how many high profile cases of this we have seen, which I’m sure he would have been aware of and still chose to risk it. First Bromell, then Ross, then Jackson now Lyles- mind boggling.

He will now have to run the race of his life from an unfavourable lane. He can still do it. My top three pick is lyles, de Grasse and Bednark not sure of the finishing order though.

This must be quite a humbling experience for Lyles and G Thomas imagine going from world leads/favourite tags to barely medal picks in the space of a day. Thomas kind of rescued herself however.

He’s still most likely the favorite but will this kill his lane draw? What a horrible move. Might cost him the gold if so.

Him and Norman have been so disappointing. So far anyway. Norman just doesn’t have the speed he’s had in past years. He’s usually the best starting turn running you’ll ever see. It seems like both him and especially lyles focused too much on strength and lost a step.

If Lyles gets an inside lane then I expect Kenny b to take this in 19.6ish. Maybe Knighton which would be amazing.

Fanbullahs start had gotten better at least. Whose he running for?

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:

This is ADG's contract:

"Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse made track and field history Friday, signing the most lucrative initial contract ever in the sport.

The 21-year-old from Markham, Ont., inked a multi-year deal with Puma worth approximately $11.25 million U.S. ($15 million Canadian).With bonuses, he could earn as much as $30 million (U.S.), his agency Doyle Management told The Canadian Press."

So yes, more than 1.5M base (included 4M guaranteed for what it was worth). Note this was years ago. There is major money for sprinters, and I agree Knighton being able to run the 100 will be big to maximize the money. Still, at this rate he is hitting his bonuses and if he wants to unlock non-shoe endorsements that will be fully on the table as well. Prize money and appearance fees could start getting nice and lucrative as well.

Thanks! That's night and day more than I anticipated. So maybe Knighton will stick with his proven discipline rather than chasing the football glory so many others pursue.

And hopefully he will not idolize Lyles and fail to run through the finish line.

I like Lyles. I wish he would concentrate for the entire race and during introductions stop the gesturing. It's weird. I'd like to see him make statements with his racing and not his antics. He can do it. He is very talented.

on my uncle Sal site i'm seeing:

ADG +175

lyles+200

Knighton +225

KennyB+450

and the others all+4000to5000

The spring and head coaches for USA track and field should never be hired again for USA Olympic teams.

This is Jim Kiler wrote:

It's so cool to lead and walk in the last five meters. All the cool kids do it.

It MIGHT be cool, if your PR is 19.19 and you have 5 meters of daylight to burn.

Shutting it down and costing yourself a good lane or a spot has happened so much this Olympics. Almost every race in the 200-400 including the 400h had someone do it. Risk/reward doesn't seem equal. Ross in the. 400 didn't get out of the heats and he's a 43.8 guy.

Birkoboy wrote:

elementtt wrote:

Definitely wondering the same thing. Bromell crashes out, Norman didn't look too good and barely made it through, Lyles all year has been off besides the trials final. Brazier injured or miscalculated how Jewitt was going to run at trials. Kerley did good. He's 100% doing all this to build for a WR attempt at 400. Our only hope for gold was Benjamin who obliterated the WR just for it to be absolutely obliterated by Warholm. Looks like the 4x4 and 4x1 is what we may be taking gold in hopefully.

Because they all had to come off their juice earlier than usual as WADA is aware and waiting for them,hence all the poor performances.

USA-State sponsored druggies of the world.

Wow! You proved hat one.

Nothing better than seeing someone let up at the line and pay for it dearly. Unfortunate that Lyles didn't have to pay for acting like a total clown once again.

reelfax wrote:

Nothing better than seeing someone let up at the line and pay for it dearly. Unfortunate that Lyles didn't have to pay for acting like a total clown once again.

He will pay. No gold for him.