U.S. probes Nike over discrimination claims involving white workers

Nike is under investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) following claims that the company may have engaged in discriminatory practices against white employees, applicants, and participants in training programs.

According to court filings, the federal agency has demanded company records dating back to 2018, including data on hiring, promotion, training, layoffs, and the use of race and ethnicity information in employment decisions.

The inquiry stems from a 2024 complaint filed by America First Legal, a conservative legal organization that has actively challenged corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The EEOC alleges that Nike did not fully comply with earlier information requests, prompting the agency to seek enforcement through subpoenas. Investigators are also examining whether diversity-related metrics influenced executive compensation.

Nike has said it is committed to lawful and fair employment practices and described the investigation as an unusual escalation. The company stated it has already provided thousands of pages of documents and maintains that its policies comply with federal anti-discrimination laws.

The probe marks one of the first high-profile enforcement actions taken by the EEOC under President Donald Trump’s current administration, which has directed the agency to reassess diversity programs that it argues may result in “reverse discrimination.” EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has previously encouraged complaints from white employees who believe they were treated unfairly.

As part of the investigation, the EEOC is seeking detailed information about employees considered for layoffs during Nike’s 2024 job cuts, signaling a broader examination of employment outcomes. The case highlights a shifting regulatory landscape for U.S. corporations as federal scrutiny of workplace diversity policies intensifies.