Stanford has hired former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its new athletic director, marking a shift from a more traditional hire to one with extensive business experience rather than just a typical sports administration background.

Former Nike and eBay CEO John Donahoe has been named as Stanford's athletic director after school officials viewed him as a "unicorn candidate" because of his business ties and history at the school.

Former Nike CEO John Donahoe will take over as the athletic director at Stanford, where he earned his graduate degree. His first day on the job will be Sept. 8. Donahoe, 65, comes to the position with decades of management experience.

Stanford tapped veteran executive John Donahoe, former Nike CEO and longtime supporter, to succeed Bernard Muir as athletic director.

Stanford has officially announced the hiring of former Nike CEO and Stanford Graduate School of Business alum (’86) John Donahoe as their new athletic director (Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics),

Stanford announced the hiring of former Nike CEO John Donahoe on Thursday. Donahoe is an alumnus of Stanford's Graduate School of Business and has been named the school's next Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics, where he will step into the role on Sept. 8.

Former Nike CEO John Donahoe has been appointed Stanford University’s new athletic director, marking a bold shift toward executive leadership in collegiate sports. A Stanford MBA and Dartmouth graduate,

Here is a sampling of the social media reaction to the hire: Attorney and Stanford alum Chris La Puma: “Former Nike CEO and investment banker. Seems like the right athletics director for these times.”

Nike co-founder and fellow Stanford alum Phil Knight said in a statement that “Stanford has made an excellent choice for its new athletic director in John Donahoe.”