Nike CEO Criticizes Executive Order Banning Some From Entering U.S.

   By Sara Germano 
 

Nike Inc. (NKE) Chief Executive Mark Parker condemned a travel ban issued by President Donald Trump, a rare political statement from the world's largest sportswear maker.

In an email to employees sent late Sunday, Mr. Parker wrote that the executive order barring entry to visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries contrasts with the company's value of diversity.

"This is a policy we don't support," he wrote, according to a copy of the message reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. "Nike stands together against bigotry and any form of discrimination."

The letter from Mr. Parker, 61, didn't mention President Donald Trump by name. It was a rare internal communication from the CEO on political matters, according to people familiar with the matter.

President Donald Trump late Friday suspended the entire U.S. refugee program for four months and banned for 90 days entry into the U.S. of nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Mr. Parker acknowledged four-time Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah, a Nike-sponsored athlete who was born in Somalia but has British citizenship and resides with his family in Portland, Ore., near Nike's campus. Mr. Farah, who is currently training overseas away from his wife and four children, posted a statement on Facebook early Sunday condemning the travel ban. It remains unclear what, if any, challenges Mr. Farah may face in returning to the U.S.

A Nike spokesman declined to comment on how many, if any, employees are affected by the travel restrictions.

Mr. Parker previously hosted former President Barack Obama to the company's Beaverton campus in 2015 as part of Mr. Obama's efforts to advance the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. Mr. Trump formally withdrew the U.S. from the pact last week.

Write to Sara Germano at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 29, 2017 20:50 ET (01:50 GMT)

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