Nike is under investigation by a federal agency over its diversity efforts.
Investigation Explained
Nike is accused of intentionally discriminating against white workers and job applicants, according to The New York Times. Following a subpoena in September 2025 requesting further information on hiring and employment practices, the Trump administration has now filed a motion with the courts and opened a federal investigation through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has a 2-1 Republican majority.
Per to the new motion, EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas had initially filed charges against Nike over concerns of discrimination in 2024 when she was still a commissioner, the outlet noted.
KGW-8 reports that Nike established a five-year plan to reach 30% racial and ethnic minority representation at or above the director level and 35% across its U.S. corporate workforce. In 2025, those goals were met and exceeded by 4% and 6%. However, the EEOC stated it believes Nike’s steps to reach these goals violates Title VII anti-discrimination laws.
The EEOC said it sought to obtain information from Nike that would clarify its standard for layoffs and how race and ethnicity data are tracked as they relate to mentoring, leadership, or career development opportunities, but it was unsuccessful in receiving thorough information, leading to the investigation, per The New York Times.
“The E.E.O.C. seeks information directly relevant to the allegations that Nike subjected white employees, applicants and training program participants to disparate treatment based on race in various employment decisions, including layoffs, internship programs and mentoring, leadership development and other career development programs,” the commission said in its motion filed on Feb. 4 in federal court in Missouri, according to the outlet.
Lucas also mentioned in the filing that she believes “NIKE may have taken these unlawful actions in an effort to create—in NIKE’s own words—a “representative” workforce “equal to the consumer and communities [it] serve[s],” per KGW-8.
Nike Response
Nike said it has submitted “thousands of pages of information and detailed written responses” to the EEOC, per the outlet. The company also described the probe as “a surprising and unusual escalation.”
“Nike is a proud American company focused on bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. As we enter an unprecedented season of sport in this country and around the world, this mission has renewed importance and urgency and it’s what we’re focused on,” the company said in a statement, according to KGW-8.
Nike added it is “committed to fair and lawful employment practices” and will continue to follow “all applicable laws,” and this includes those that prohibit discrimination, the outlet noted. The company said it believes programs and practices in place adhere to those expectations.
Nike further stated it will cooperate with the EEOC and plans to respond, per KGW-8.
