Stanford Hires Former Nike CEO John Donahoe As Athletic Director

Stanford University is hiring former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its new athletic director, marking a notable shift from traditional hires by selecting a candidate with extensive business and corporate management experience. Donahoe, a Stanford MBA graduate and Dartmouth alumnus, brings a wealth of leadership from his roles at Nike, Bain & Company, eBay, and PayPal, along with strong ties to Stanford and high-level academic institutions. He replaces Bernard Muir, who stepped down after 13 years, as Stanford faces challenges including a recent move to the ACC conference and underperforming football and basketball programs. Donahoe's hire aims to leverage his unique blend of business acumen and athletic insight to innovate and create a sustainable model for Stanford’s athletic department, especially supporting the football program and maintaining excellence in Olympic sports. The Cardinal football team, amid a recent coaching change and investigations, will begin the 2025 season under interim coach Frank Reich. Stanford hopes Donahoe’s leadership will revitalize its athletics amid these transitions and maintain its tradition of athletic success.