Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Sprinter Abby Steiner sues Puma, Mercedes over career-ending shoe injuries

4/30/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Steiner Sues Puma

Abby Steiner sued Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix on April 24 in Massachusetts Superior Court, alleging the carbon-fiber-plate shoes caused career-ending injuries.
She says the shoes altered her foot mechanics, leading to bone-stress injuries that required at least five surgeries between 2023 and 2025.
Steiner seeks over $1.25 million in damages, with the court setting an August 24 deadline for the defendants, who have not responded.

Summary

Steiner vs Puma

The lawsuit reveals Steiner signed a reported $2 million sponsorship deal with Puma in 2022.
Puma’s tie-up with Mercedes Formula 1 added the F1 team’s engineering to the carbon-fiber plate and NitroFoam in the disputed sneakers.
The complaint cites the Deviate Nitro Elite 2, Deviate Nitro Elite 3 and evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro models as Mercedes-engineered products.

History

Historical Context

Nike introduced the first carbon-fiber-plate shoes in 2016, and their Vaporfly line sparked record-breaking marathon times—15 of the 20 fastest ever were set after 2018. In response, World Athletics tightened equipment rules in 2020, limiting plate stack height to 40 mm. Abby Steiner’s $1.25 million lawsuit against Puma now tests how far those standards will extend.

1 of 3

Steiner Sues Puma

Abby Steiner sued Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix on April 24 in Massachusetts Superior Court, alleging the carbon-fiber-plate shoes caused career-ending injuries.
She says the shoes altered her foot mechanics, leading to bone-stress injuries that required at least five surgeries between 2023 and 2025.
Steiner seeks over $1.25 million in damages, with the court setting an August 24 deadline for the defendants, who have not responded.

1 / 3