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Nike Rounds Out Management Team With New Head of Communications

Yahoo

02-06-2025

Yahoo

Nike Rounds Out Management Team With New Head of Communications

Nike has reached through the Golden Arches for its next head of communications. On Monday, the sports giant named Michael Gonda, former chief impact officer for North America at McDonald's, to become its executive vice president and chief communications officer. He will assume the position formerly held by KeJuan Wilkins, who left Nike in March, about six months after Elliott Hill became chief executive officer. More from WWD Supreme and Nike Spruce Up Their Air Force 1 With Leopard Print Pony Hair Costume Designer Tanja Caldwell Talks Keisha and Justin's Love for Sneakers and Jordans on Netflix's 'Forever' Is the Dirty Sneaker Trend Washed Up? Wilkins reportedly resigned for personal reasons and Gonda will officially join Nike on July 7 and report to Hill. In this position, Gonda will lead global communications for Nike, overseeing all facets of the communications strategy, including storytelling, corporate and brand reputation, issues management, and employee engagement. He will also become a member of the company's senior leadership team. This rounds out Hill's executive team that will be charged with moving the company forward, according to sources. The leadership team includes Venkatesh Alagirisamy, chief supply chain officer; Thomas Clarke, chief growth initiatives officer; Muge Erdirik Kogan, executive vice president and chief technology officer; Matthew Friend, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Nicole Graham, chief marketing officer; Treasure Heinle, executive vice president and chief human resources officer; Rob Leinwand, executive vice president and chief legal officer; Phil McCartney, executive vice president and chief innovation, design and product officer; Ann Miller, executive vice president of sports marketing; Amy Montagne, president of Nike, and Craig Williams, president of geographies and marketplace. 'Michael is a deeply strategic, emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven leader who understands the power of storytelling to move both brands and people,' said Hill. 'His vision for driving impactful communications, his instinct for building high-performing teams, and his ability to form authentic connections will help Nike amplify the voice of sport and athletes around the world in bold and meaningful ways. I'm confident he's the right leader for us as we put Nike back at the center of sport, and our team is excited for the vision and leadership he brings.' At McDonald's, Gonda also served as chief communications officer, where he was in charge of communications, public affairs, sustainability, community engagement and philanthropy for the company's largest markets. He also served on the global senior leadership team for that company. 'Nike has always been more than a brand — it's a storyteller, a cultural force, and a catalyst for belief,' said Gonda. 'I'm deeply honored to join a company that has shaped how people see themselves and the world around them, and am humbled to help Nike tell the stories that matter, connect even more deeply with athletes and communities, and write the next ambitious chapter with Elliott and this team.' Prior to McDonald's, Gonda held senior leadership positions at Chobani and communications agency Weber Shandwick. He is an avid runner and has lived across the U.S. as well as in Kenya and China. Gonda's appointment is just the latest change at the sports brand. Last week the company said that its head of innovation, John Hoke, would be retiring from his position. Just weeks before that, it said Heidi O'Neill, president of consumer, product and brand, would also be exiting. Hill was lured out of retirement to rejoin Nike last October and has been instrumental in orchestrating massive changes within the organization, ranging from the executive team to distribution and pricing. In the company's third-quarter earnings call in March, Hill was vocal about how Nike needs to be more innovative and also reduce the amount of product available in the market. During the call, he said Nike's new priorities will be centered around five fields of play: running, basketball, football, training and sportswear; three countries: the U.S., China and the U.K., and five cities: New York, Los Angeles, London, Beijing and Shanghai. The company also revealed that it was returning to Amazon after a six-year hiatus and would be raising prices on both footwear and apparel in response to tariffs. These major moves are an answer to criticism that Nike had lost its edge to competitors such as Hoka and On, particularly in the footwear space. While the company is making some progress, there's still a lot of work to do. Net income in the third quarter was $794 million, down 32 percent from $1.2 billion in the year-ago period. Net sales in the period were $11.3 billion, down 9 percent from $12.4 billion, on a reported basis, compared to the prior year. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Maje Names Charlotte Tasset Ferrec CEO Nadja Swarovski Exits Family Company Amid Ongoing Corporate Shakeup Aeffe MD Exits Fashion Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Yahoo

02-06-2025

Yahoo

Nike Rounds Out Management Team With New Head of Communications

Nike has reached through the Golden Arches for its next head of communications. On Monday, the sports giant named Michael Gonda, former chief impact officer for North America at McDonald's, to become its executive vice president and chief communications officer. He will assume the position formerly held by KeJuan Wilkins, who left Nike in March, about six months after Elliott Hill became chief executive officer. More from WWD Supreme and Nike Spruce Up Their Air Force 1 With Leopard Print Pony Hair Costume Designer Tanja Caldwell Talks Keisha and Justin's Love for Sneakers and Jordans on Netflix's 'Forever' Is the Dirty Sneaker Trend Washed Up? Wilkins reportedly resigned for personal reasons and Gonda will officially join Nike on July 7 and report to Hill. In this position, Gonda will lead global communications for Nike, overseeing all facets of the communications strategy, including storytelling, corporate and brand reputation, issues management, and employee engagement. He will also become a member of the company's senior leadership team. This rounds out Hill's executive team that will be charged with moving the company forward, according to sources. The leadership team includes Venkatesh Alagirisamy, chief supply chain officer; Thomas Clarke, chief growth initiatives officer; Muge Erdirik Kogan, executive vice president and chief technology officer; Matthew Friend, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Nicole Graham, chief marketing officer; Treasure Heinle, executive vice president and chief human resources officer; Rob Leinwand, executive vice president and chief legal officer; Phil McCartney, executive vice president and chief innovation, design and product officer; Ann Miller, executive vice president of sports marketing; Amy Montagne, president of Nike, and Craig Williams, president of geographies and marketplace. 'Michael is a deeply strategic, emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven leader who understands the power of storytelling to move both brands and people,' said Hill. 'His vision for driving impactful communications, his instinct for building high-performing teams, and his ability to form authentic connections will help Nike amplify the voice of sport and athletes around the world in bold and meaningful ways. I'm confident he's the right leader for us as we put Nike back at the center of sport, and our team is excited for the vision and leadership he brings.' At McDonald's, Gonda also served as chief communications officer, where he was in charge of communications, public affairs, sustainability, community engagement and philanthropy for the company's largest markets. He also served on the global senior leadership team for that company. 'Nike has always been more than a brand — it's a storyteller, a cultural force, and a catalyst for belief,' said Gonda. 'I'm deeply honored to join a company that has shaped how people see themselves and the world around them, and am humbled to help Nike tell the stories that matter, connect even more deeply with athletes and communities, and write the next ambitious chapter with Elliott and this team.' Prior to McDonald's, Gonda held senior leadership positions at Chobani and communications agency Weber Shandwick. He is an avid runner and has lived across the U.S. as well as in Kenya and China. Gonda's appointment is just the latest change at the sports brand. Last week the company said that its head of innovation, John Hoke, would be retiring from his position. Just weeks before that, it said Heidi O'Neill, president of consumer, product and brand, would also be exiting. Hill was lured out of retirement to rejoin Nike last October and has been instrumental in orchestrating massive changes within the organization, ranging from the executive team to distribution and pricing. In the company's third-quarter earnings call in March, Hill was vocal about how Nike needs to be more innovative and also reduce the amount of product available in the market. During the call, he said Nike's new priorities will be centered around five fields of play: running, basketball, football, training and sportswear; three countries: the U.S., China and the U.K., and five cities: New York, Los Angeles, London, Beijing and Shanghai. The company also revealed that it was returning to Amazon after a six-year hiatus and would be raising prices on both footwear and apparel in response to tariffs. These major moves are an answer to criticism that Nike had lost its edge to competitors such as Hoka and On, particularly in the footwear space. While the company is making some progress, there's still a lot of work to do. Net income in the third quarter was $794 million, down 32 percent from $1.2 billion in the year-ago period. Net sales in the period were $11.3 billion, down 9 percent from $12.4 billion, on a reported basis, compared to the prior year. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Maje Names Charlotte Tasset Ferrec CEO Nadja Swarovski Exits Family Company Amid Ongoing Corporate Shakeup Aeffe MD Exits Fashion Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Boogie Fland shocks college basketball with NIL power move

Yahoo

21-05-2025

Yahoo

Boogie Fland shocks college basketball with NIL power move

Boogie Fland isn't just running it back. He's cashing in. After testing the NBA Draft waters, the former McDonald's All-American stunned the college basketball world by announcing his return—not to Arkansas, but to Florida. And while his decision boosts the Gators' title odds, it also signals a seismic shift in college sports: NIL is now the game within the game. Advertisement According to CBS Sports, Fland is set to receive a reported $2 million NIL package, placing him among the highest-paid college athletes in the country. That figure isn't just headline-worthy—it's history-making. For Florida fans, it's a statement that the Gators are not just building a contender, they're building a brand. Fland, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 15.1 points and 5.7 assists in just 18 games last season before a hand injury cut his year short. Despite limited action, his efficiency and poise on the court caught national attention—and apparently, deep-pocketed NIL investors too. Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) controls the ball during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesEric Canha-Imagn Images Now paired with Ivy League standout Xaivian Lee, Florida's backcourt suddenly looks like one of the most dynamic in the country. Head coach Todd Golden, fresh off an NCAA Tournament title, isn't just stacking talent—he's stacking momentum. Fland's NIL deal confirms what many suspected: Florida isn't rebuilding. They're reloading. Advertisement The implications are massive. Fland's return to college over a potential pro payday reflects how NIL has shifted the power dynamic. With millions on the table and prime-time exposure in a major conference, elite players like Fland no longer have to choose between the spotlight and the salary. Expect the O'Dome to be buzzing this season—not just with fans, but with scouts, brands, and cameras. Boogie bet on himself. Florida just made sure he got paid. Related: Former NBA veteran takes over at Notre Dame in historic NIL move Related: NFL QB sends strong message after losing NIL millions

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Nike Rounds Out Management Team With New Head of Communications

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Nike Rounds Out Management Team With New Head of Communications

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