Home / Sports / Allyson Felix hid pregnancy from Nike for contract
Allyson Felix hid pregnancy from Nike for contract
25 Feb
Summary
- Felix hid pregnancy during Nike contract renegotiation.
- Nike offered 70% less due to perceived age and new athletes.
- Felix's advocacy led Nike to improve maternity policies.
Olympic champion Allyson Felix disclosed that she concealed her pregnancy from Nike during contract negotiations, fearing a significantly reduced offer. Initially, the company proposed a contract 70% lower than her previous earnings, which Felix attributed to her age and emerging younger athletes.
To protect her career, Felix hid her pregnancy, training in secret and wearing loose clothing. She sought maternal protections in her contract instead of a higher salary. When Nike failed to include these protections, Felix used her platform, publishing an op-ed in The New York Times.
Her public stance prompted Nike to revise its maternity policies, establishing protections for athletes. This shift allows female athletes to have children without jeopardizing their careers, a change Felix views as crucial for future generations.
