Stanford Hires Former Nike CEO John Donahoe as Athletic Director

Stanford University has appointed John Donahoe, former CEO of Nike Inc., as its new athletic director. Donahoe, a Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus, will assume the role on July 8, 2025, succeeding Bernard Muir, who stepped down this year [2]. The hiring was initially reported by ESPN and other outlets in late July 2025 [1]. Donahoe’s career spans leadership roles at multinational corporations, including Nike, ServiceNow, and eBay, and he previously chaired the board of PayPal [1].

In his new role, Donahoe will oversee one of the most decorated athletic programs in college sports. Stanford has won at least one NCAA team title every year since 1976–77, accumulating a total of 137 titles [1]. However, the program has faced challenges in high-profile sports such as football and men’s basketball. Under Muir’s leadership, the football team struggled, prompting the hiring of former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck as general manager and the appointment of interim head coach Frank Reich. Similarly, men’s basketball has failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, despite a recent hiring change under Kyle Smith [1].

Donahoe’s appointment signals a strategic shift as Stanford seeks to align its athletic ambitions with its academic excellence. University President Jon Levin praised Donahoe’s “vision, judgment, and strategic acumen” and emphasized the need for a leader who understands the unique balance of athletics and scholarship that defines Stanford [1]. Donahoe, in turn, expressed confidence in the program’s potential, calling Stanford a model for achieving excellence in both academics and athletics [1].

The hiring reflects a broader trend in collegiate athletics, where universities increasingly seek executives with corporate leadership experience to manage the growing financial and operational complexities of the sport. Donahoe’s background in global operations and strategic growth is expected to bring new perspectives to Stanford’s athletics, including opportunities for enhanced partnerships and sponsorships [3].

Stanford’s athletic department has undergone significant transitions in recent years, including its move from the Pac-12 to the ACC. This shift, along with the need for improved performance in flagship sports, has made the search for a new athletic director a high-priority initiative [1]. Donahoe’s extensive experience in leadership and governance, including his time on Dartmouth’s Board of Trustees, is seen as a valuable asset in navigating the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics [5].

With Donahoe’s arrival, Stanford aims to build on its legacy of excellence while addressing current challenges in football and men’s basketball. His leadership is expected to bring a renewed focus on student-athlete experience and the long-term sustainability of the program [1].

Source: [1] Report: Stanford to hire former Nike CEO John Donahoe as athletic director (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/report-stanford-to-hire-former-nike-ceo-john-donahoe-as-athletic-director/ar-AA1JGIov)

[2] Stanford announces hiring of John Donahoe as athletic director (https://www.on3.com/sites/cardinal-sports-report/news/stanford-announces-john-donahoe-as-athletic-director/)

[3] Stanford hires John Donahoe as athletic director (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/stanford-hires-john-donahoe-as-athletic-director/ar-AA1JGSeb?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds)

[5] John Donahoe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donahoe)