US agency investigates Nike for alleged discrimination against white workers | Business
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has opened an investigation into Nike following allegations that the sports giant discriminated against white employees and applicants.
The federal agency is requiring Nike to provide information related to the allegations, including the company’s “2025 diversity, equity and inclusion and other DEI-related goals,” it announced Wednesday.
This comes amid a broader crackdown by Donald Trump’s administration on diversity initiatives, which he has repeatedly called “radical.”
“When there are compelling indications, including company admissions in numerous public filings, that an employer’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs may violate federal prohibitions against racial or other forms of unlawful discrimination, the EEOC will take all necessary steps – including subpoena enforcement – to ensure the opportunity for a full and thorough investigation,” said EEOC Chairwoman, Andrea Lucas.
The EEOC is responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination against a job applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. The federal agency has the authority to investigate charges against employers covered by the law.
Lucas, a Republican, was named acting head of the EEOC by the US president in 2025. His predecessor under the Biden administration, Charlotte Burrows, was fired shortly after Trump returned to power last year.
“Title VII’s ban on racial discrimination in employment is color-neutral and requires the EEOC to protect employees of all races from unlawful employment practices,” Lucas said. “Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to upholding our nation’s civil rights laws, the EEOC has renewed its focus on even-handed enforcement of Title VII.”
On his first day in office, Trump signed an order directing federal agencies to end all “equity-related” grants or contracts. He also signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they are not promoting DEI. The administration also targeted universities, urging them to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding.
The information sought by the EEOC dates back to 2018 and includes criteria used to select employees for termination, information related to company monitoring, use of data on workers’ race and ethnicity, and information about “16 programs that allegedly provided race-restricted mentoring, leadership or career development opportunities.”
Lucas has targeted programs related to diversity and gender since his appointment by Trump in 2025, consistent with the administration’s agenda. In a recent interview with the New York Times, she said her goal was to undo the consequences of an “aggressive focus by DEI activists” under the Biden administration.
Nike did not immediately respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.
