The federal agency that enforces U.S. workplace discrimination laws has taken Nike to court, alleging the company may have discriminated against white employees through hiring, promotion, and layoff decisions.
In a filing Wednesday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said it is seeking to enforce a subpoena after Nike failed to fully comply with requests for records tied to the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
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“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,” the agency said in a statement.
The investigation covers Nike’s employment practices dating back to 2018. This includes layoff decisions, the use of race data, and whether mentoring, internship and leadership programs restricted participation based on race.
Nike calls court action an ‘unusual investigation’
In a statement to Straight Arrow News, Nike called the move a “surprising and unusual escalation,” saying it has cooperated with the agency in good faith.
“We have had extensive, good-faith participation in an EEOC inquiry into our personnel practices, programs, and decisions and have had ongoing efforts to provide information and engage constructively with the agency,” the company said. “We will continue our attempt to cooperate with the EEOC and will respond to the petition.”
The case marks the most significant enforcement action to date under EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, who has made DEI-related discrimination a central focus of the agency’s agenda.
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Nike was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, under the name Blue Ribbon Sports.
In December, Lucas publicly encouraged white male employees who believe they were discriminated against to contact the EEOC.
“Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Lucas wrote in a post on X. “The EEOC is committed to identifying, attacking, and eliminating ALL race and sex discrimination.”
Lucas has said the agency’s renewed approach reflects what she describes as evenhanded enforcement of federal civil rights law.
“Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to enforcing our nation’s civil rights laws, the EEOC has renewed its focus on evenhanded enforcement of Title VII,” Lucas said in a statement.
Why this case matters
The investigation comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to scrutinize corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The Justice Department has launched similar probes, arguing some DEI policies amount to unlawful discrimination.
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The EEOC’s action does not name specific victim. However, it describes a potential pattern of discrimination affecting white employees, applicants and program participants.
Nike said it will continue cooperating with the investigation while challenging the scope of the subpoena in court.
