Archive · 17 Aug 2025
Nike Reverses CEO Rejection, Offers Internship After Viral Post
A person applied to be the CEO of Nike by sending them an email.
Nike said no at first because the person had some unusual ideas like changing how the shoes look and where the company is based.
They said the person's ideas were too different from what they usually do.
But, after the person shared the rejection letter on the internet, many people online supported them and liked their ideas.
Nike then changed their minds.
They offered the person a temporary job to see if they could help the company with their fresh ideas.
An entrepreneur applied for Nike's CEO position but was initially rejected.
His application included unconventional proposals like tripling sales and moving HQ.
Nike cited concerns with his ideas and chose a 'traditional candidate'.
The entrepreneur's LinkedIn post about the rejection went viral.
Nike then offered him a six-month internship after being impressed with his creativity.
- Who
- Sam Byrne and Nike.
- What
- An entrepreneur applied for the CEO position at Nike and was initially rejected, but later offered an internship.
- When
- Recently.
- Where
- Nike headquarters (Oregon) and Liverpool, UK.
- Why
- Nike was impressed by Byrne's creativity after his rejection went viral and saw potential in his ideas.
Nike's Initial Concerns
Public Perception/Applicant's View
Innovation vs. Tradition
Nike's Initial Concerns
The company found some of the applicant's proposals 'high risk', 'unconventional' and 'not feasible'
Public Perception/Applicant's View
The applicant was attempting to disrupt the current system
- Applicant
- Sam Byrne
- Original application
- CEO of Nike
- Initial result
- Rejection
- Reason for rejection
- Unconventional ideas
- Offer after viral post
- 6-month internship