As of writing, 13 of 13 top female athletes sponsored by Nike were pregnant. This is despite their new policy which protects them against any reductions in pay for the 18-months preceding and subsequent to their pregnancy. The Nike Collective was started to ensure that female athletes could be involved in company decision making. For the success of Nike as a brand, and for the growth in sport overall, it is important to have female athletes participate in company discussions.
13 of Nike's most prominent sponsored athletes are now pregnant
Thirteen top-paid female Nike athletes are pregnant or have had children. Women who have dedicated their lives to their sport are particularly concerned by the trend of athletes becoming pregnant. This is because athletes feel unprotected by Nike's policy on maternity. Many of these women have spoken out against the problem and requested protection from punishment after childbirth.
Nike's new Pregnancy Policy protects them from any reductions in pay for 18-months of pregnancy
Pay cuts are often criticized for women in sport, including the Olympic team. Nike is now taking the initiative to protect female athletes against these cuts. In a letter to female athletes, Nike executives said that they had not adequately accounted for pregnancy in their sponsorship agreements, but that they had since added pregnancy protection language to the contracts. Felix explains why Nike has made a change to its policy.
Allyson Felix
Allyson Finch was involved in a dispute involving Nike over maternity right rights. She claimed that Nike's approach was tone deaf and disrespectful. Nike finally agreed to make the necessary changes, including not penalizing Felix postpartum or during pregnancy for her poor performance. This is unfortunate for all. Felix has signed a new contract to Athleta in light of this new situation.
Alyssia Montano's Pregnancy
Alyssia Monteno, a pregnant Olympic athlete, has been in the news. Mexican-born Alysia Montano was pregnant when she competed in women's marathons in 2014 and 2017. Her pregnancy was a big deal for her, and the company cut her pay retroactively. She explained that Nike and U.S. Olympic Committee pressured her to get back to her former athletic form quickly. After her first child, she left Nike and signed with Asics. She was able compete and compete again without having to take pay cuts. The company feared that she wouldn't return at the same level as her previous sponsorships.
Allyson Felix's reaction to nike's ad
Allyson Felix has been in negotiations with Nike for her maternity coverages. She said that she was unaware she was pregnant when Nike asked to feature her in an ad about female empowerment. Her contract with the firm expired in December and she was asked for a 70% cut in her pay to keep the company. In addition, she requested certain maternity protections, such as the right to choose a doctor, which Nike denied. The ad sparked a wider debate about the rights of female athletes.