Nike announced on September 19 that its outgoing CEO, John Donahoe, will be replaced by Elliott Hill, a long-time company insider who started as an intern and has spent his entire career at Nike, apart from a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys. This leadership change comes amid concerns over Nike’s declining sales and the need to revamp its retail strategy to align with consumer preferences. While Donahoe had success navigating the company through the pandemic, he faced criticism for being less attuned to product design compared to previous leaders, which allowed competitors to gain market share. Hill, who will officially take over on October 14, is expected to receive a warm welcome from employees, who view him as an inspirational leader. However, analysts caution that despite his extensive experience, the challenges facing Nike may not be resolved quickly, particularly in light of increased competition in the sportswear market. Nike’s stock has fallen over 20% in 2024.