New Nike CEO's first words to staff: 'Things haven't been easy'

Phil Knight passes the torch

Former Nike CEO Mark Parker passed the torch to John Donahoe as the sportswear giant's new CEO on January 13, 2020. In a letter to staff, Donahoe acknowledged the challenges facing the company and pledged to work with them to overcome them. "Things haven't been easy," Donahoe wrote. "But I know that we have the talent, the passion, and the determination to succeed."

Donahoe's appointment comes at a time when Nike is facing a number of challenges, including declining sales in China, increased competition from Adidas, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Donahoe is confident that the company can overcome these challenges and continue to grow.

'We will emerge stronger'

"I believe that we can emerge from this period stronger than ever before," Donahoe wrote. "We have a strong brand, a talented team, and a loyal customer base. I am confident that we can continue to grow our business and create value for our shareholders."

Donahoe has a long history of success in the business world. He was the CEO of eBay from 2008 to 2015, and he led the company through a period of rapid growth. He also served as the president of PayPal from 2005 to 2008.

Analysts say that Donahoe is a good choice to lead Nike through this challenging time. "He is a proven leader with a track record of success," said Matt Powell, a sports industry analyst at NPD Group. "He has the experience and the vision to help Nike overcome its challenges and continue to grow."