The former NFL players have pledged a big payout to American track stars who win gold at the Paris Olympics and a double amount in case of a world record.
Former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad "OchoCinco" Johnson have promised American track stars such as Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson $25,000 (Ksh3.2 million) each if they win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
While discussing what American athletes will earn if they win Olympics gold during their Nightcap podcast on Monday, the two agreed that the $37,000 (Ksh4.7 million) promised was not enough and pledged to add onto it.
The two former American Football stars feel the amount is too little for four years of tireless work by the athletes.
15:56 - 30.07.2024
Noah Lyles warned as Coach Stephen Francis describes Kishane Thompson's 'never before seen' bullish form
Coach Stephen Francis responded to Noah Lyles's claims of becoming Olympic 100m champion, stating Kishane Thompson is capable of doing something magical in Paris.
“Hey, Noah Lyles, if you win the 100m gold, me and Ocho $25,000 apiece,” said Sharpe, an ESPN analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“Bet. You know I don’t like to spend money,” said Johnson, a former NFL star receiver.
“Noah Lyles trained four years for nine seconds,” Sharpe added.
“Noah, we got you,” Johnson said.
The two also talked promised the same to female stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone while promising to double the amount for any US athlete that breaks a world record.
“I don’t give a damn what the event is — out of my pocket,” said Sharpe, regarding the $50,000 (Ksh6.4 million) reward for record-breaking runners at the Olympics.
01:43 - 31.07.2024
Paris 2024: Sha'Carri Richardson reveals motivation and strategy to win Olympic 100m gold
Sha'Carri Richardson has a driving motivation ahead of her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, which she's considered as the woman to beat in the 100m event.
“You done bust your ass for four years straight to represent our country, and the payout, saying, ‘Thank you for the work you put in is 37 (expletive) thousand,’” Johnson said. “Come on man.”