Nike employees have been told in an email that 1% of its corporate employees will be laid off.
“Change can be difficult,” reads the email, which was signed by CEO Elliott Hill and other executives at the company, reported Footwear News. “It can also be what sharpens the edge, aligns the team and sets up the win. And the W is ours to take, embracing an athlete mindset that leads with passion, commitment and determination.”
U.S. and Canadian corporate employees are being asked to work remotely until Sept. 8 as leadership discusses how the company will realign, reported Footwear News. Nike employees will reconvene for a meeting on Sept. 10, and new roles will take effect on Sept. 21.
Nike has undergone several rounds of layoffs since early 2024. It’s not clear how many employees will be impacted by this round. As of May 31, 2025, Nike had approximately 77,800 employees worldwide, including retail and part-time employees. That’s down from approximately 83,700 employees worldwide as of May 31, 2023.
The move is part of Hill’s efforts to return the company to growth, which have also included a renewed focus on the wholesale channel after previous CEO John Donahoe de-emphasized wholesale in the company’s strategy. In May, Hill announced a slate of new senior leaders.
While there has been optimism for the turnaround strategy – the Dick’s Sporting Goods-Foot Locker merger is being driven in part by the renewed wholesale strategy at Nike – Nike reported revenue declines for the full year ended May 31 in every channel, region, and brand.
“The results we’re reporting today in Q4 and in FY25 are not up to the Nike standard,” Hill said on the company’s call with analysts.
