Former Nike CEO Named New Athletic Director at Stanford
Stanford University has officially named John Donahoe as its new athletic director. This has brought the former Nike CEO and PayPal board chair back to The Farm for a role unlike any other in his career. The 65-year-old Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus will assume the position on September 8, succeeding Bernard Muir, who stepped down after a 13-year tenure. The hire follows a national search for a “distinctive leader” capable of guiding Stanford athletics through unprecedented change in the college sports landscape. Does this non-traditional hire fit the bill?
Non-Traditional Hire With Global Business Credentials
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Donahoe’s appointment is a bold departure from traditional athletic director selections. While many in the role rise through collegiate sports administration, his path has been corporate. He served as Nike’s CEO from 2020 to 2024 and joined the company’s board in 2014.
Before that, he led tech giants ServiceNow and eBay, and spent nearly two decades at Bain & Company, including as worldwide CEO. As a former basketball player at Dartmouth, Donahoe earned his MBA from Stanford in 1986 and has remained connected to the school through his service on the advisory council and strong relationships with university leaders.
“Stanford occupies a unique place in the national athletics landscape,” said university president Jonathan Levin. “We needed a distinctive leader—someone with the vision, judgment, and strategic acumen for a new era of college athletics, and with a deep appreciation for Stanford’s model of scholar-athlete excellence. John embodies these characteristics.”
Support for the hire came from prominent voices, including Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder, who called him the ideal choice.
Partnership and Major Program Challenges
Former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, hired in 2024 as Stanford football’s general manager, will now report directly to Donahoe. “He brings unparalleled experience and elite leadership to our athletic department in a time of opportunity and change,” Luck said. Their collaboration will be key as Stanford navigates NIL regulations, the transfer portal, revenue-sharing with athletes, and life in the ACC after leaving the Pac-12.
The Cardinals face significant on-field challenges. Football has gone 12-36 since 2021, men’s basketball hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2014, and women’s basketball endured a rare 16-15 season following VanDerveer’s retirement. Even successful programs have been impacted by shifting dynamics, with softball losing star pitcher NiJaree Canady to a lucrative NIL deal with Texas Tech.
Olympic Sports Success Remains a Foundation
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Despite struggles in marquee sports, Stanford remains a powerhouse in Olympic disciplines. Cardinal athletes earned 39 medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, tying Canada for 11th overall, and have historically dominated the Learfield Directors’ Cup for overall athletic success. Maintaining that standard while revitalizing football and basketball is among Donahoe’s top priorities.
Donahoe inherits an urgent football coaching search after Troy Taylor was dismissed in March amid workplace misconduct allegations. Former NFL coach Frank Reich will serve as interim head coach for the 2025 season, which opens August 23 against Hawai‘i, but is not expected to stay beyond this year.
In outlining his vision, he emphasized four priorities: preserving the Stanford student-athlete model, building a sustainable financial structure, engaging with alumni and community stakeholders, and ensuring the department operates “at the top of the game in college athletics.” He said Stanford can serve as the model for balancing academic and athletic excellence in a changing environment.
Why Stanford Chose a Business Leader for a Sports Role
Stanford’s decision to hire a leader from the corporate world reflects a broader trend in college sports leadership. As athletics becomes increasingly tied to corporate sponsorships, media rights, and evolving revenue models, leaders with business acumen are seen as vital for long-term sustainability. Levin noted that the athletic department needs innovative strategies to navigate playoff expansion, realignment, and athlete compensation policies.
Donahoe’s deep ties to Stanford—through academics, athletics, and personal relationships with figures like Levin, VanDerveer, and Knight—position him to unite the community during this transition. Alumni and donors will be key allies in adapting to the ACC’s competitive and geographic realities.
His success will ultimately be measured by whether he can stabilize flagship sports while preserving Stanford’s Olympic dominance and academic-athletic balance. For now, the hire signals a willingness to think boldly about the future.