Nike Joins Saucony, Brooks In Supporting Athletes' Right To Organize In USATF Dispute

Nike on Friday came out "in support of athletes' right to organize, at a time when elite U.S. track stars are considering a strike," according to Sara Germano of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Nike execs on Thursday held a conference call with Track & Field Athletes Association President Adam Nelson. The group, which represents 139 athletes, last week asked such sponsors as Nike, Brooks Running and Saucony "to continue their financial support of athletes if collective action prevented athletes from participating in competitions, possibly even the U.S. national track and field championships in June." The group is "pushing for greater say in how the sport's national governing body, USA Track & Field, runs its meets and applies rules." Nike, the "principal sponsor of the USATF," joins Saucony, Brooks and Oiselle Running "in recognizing the athletes association as the representative body for professional track athletes." Nelson said that he "also spoke with" USATF CEO Max Siegel (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/5).