Nike Updates Contractual Policy for Pregnant Athletes: “Our Voices Have Power”
Earlier this year, female Nike runners denounced Nike’s discriminatory practices against pregnant athletes. After Olympic runners Alysia Montaño and Allyson Felix spoke out about being “penalised for having a child,” an internal e-mail earlier this week reveals the brand has changed its contracts for pregnant athletes and is waiving pay reductions.
Last May, Montaño penned a whistleblowing op-ed, revealing that Nike had cut her pay when she got pregnant. The same month Felix shared a similar experience, claiming she was offered 70% less after she became a mother. In the wake of these damning exposés and heavy backlash, Nike announced plans to alter its practices. Now it has finally adequately revised its guidelines.
On Friday, Felix posted a picture of an email from Nike executive vice president of global sports marketing John Slusher. The memo outlines Nike’s updated policy, wherein it says it will “not apply any performance-related reduction” for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant. In the caption, Felix wrote “Our voices have power.”
