Female athletes are calling out Nike over its alleged involvement in a study about transgender participation in women’s sports, igniting a debate over fairness and athlete safety.

According to the Christian Post, Women's sports advocates have launched a campaign urging Nike to support biological women in competitive sports, following reports that the brand funded a study involving transgender-identifying athletes.

The controversy erupted after a New York Times article reported that Nike had funded a research study evaluating the athletic capabilities of transgender youth before and after hormone therapies and surgeries.

Joanna Harper, a researcher from Oregon Health & Science University, told the Times she is overseeing the five-year project. She did not respond to requests for comment from The Christian Post.

In response to mounting questions, a Nike executive later told OutKick that the study had not moved ahead. According to the company, “the study was never initialized” and “is not moving forward,” though the executive admitted there may have been “gaps in the information chain.”

Athletes Remind Nike of Its Signature Motto

In connection with the reported study, XX-XY Athletics, a brand that promotes fairness in women’s sports, released an ad campaign earlier this month featuring several female athletes asking Nike to reconsider its position on transgender inclusion in female-only competitions.

Riley Gaines, a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky, appeared in the campaign. Gaines has become known for her advocacy after her controversial tie with Lia (Will) Thomas, a trans-identifying athlete, in the 200-meter NCAA championship in 2022.

During that event, officials awarded the fifth-place trophy to Thomas for photo opportunities while informing Gaines she would receive hers by mail. In the ad, Gaines said, “If I had a chance to talk to Nike, I would tell them to ‘just do it.’ That’s your slogan, isn’t it, Nike? Just do it. When I say it, I mean the right thing. And that’s defending women and biological reality.”

Volleyball Injury Becomes Central to Debate

Another athlete featured in the ad was Payton McNabb, a former North Carolina high school volleyball player. McNabb shared her story of suffering a serious injury during a 2022 match when a ball spiked by a trans-identifying athlete struck her head.

According to the Independent Women’s Forum, the impact left her with neurological symptoms, including partial paralysis and memory issues. McNabb stated in the ad that dreams of playing college volleyball were destroyed as a result of the incident, saying, “But those were all taken away from me by a man.”

Professional golfer Lauren Miller also joined the campaign, urging Nike to consider the broader implications of their choices. “If we let men and boys continue to invade, women’s sports will be erased,” she said.

Collegiate Teams Withdraw Over Player Inclusion

The ad and calls for action also referenced instances of college teams withdrawing from competition to avoid facing trans-identifying athletes. One such case involved Blaire Fleming, a male athlete who identifies as female and currently plays women’s volleyball at San Jose State University.

Several programs, including the University of Wyoming, reportedly chose to forfeit rather than compete against a team with Fleming on the roster. Their decisions have added fuel to the ongoing debate on how transgender participation impacts fairness in women’s sports.

Although Nike initially remained quiet, questions about the company’s role in the study persisted until the comments made to OutKick confirmed confusion within the company about the project’s status. While officials now say the study will not continue, advocates remain skeptical and demand clearer policies and direction from the brand.

Brand Under Pressure to Clarify Its Position

XX-XY Athletics has continued promoting the campaign, focusing on awareness around issues that female athletes say threaten the integrity of women’s sports. The group sees Nike’s influential platform as pivotal in shaping industry norms and public opinion.

Critics suggest that by not taking a firm position, Nike risks compromising the values of fairness and safety that women’s sports were designed to protect. The brand’s longstanding slogan has become a rallying cry for athletes who say action, not ambiguity, is what’s needed now.

As the conversation evolves, athletes and advocacy groups continue to push for transparency and greater support for biological women competing under policies that they say should reflect physical realities.