Elliott Hill started at Nike as an intern in 1988 but steadily scaled its ranks, banking on values of grit and hard work ingrained in him as the son of a single mom in a working class Texas neighborhood.

Nike Inc. destituyó al director ejecutivo John Donahoe, y trajo al ejecutivo Elliott Hill en un intento por devolver a la marca deportiva en crisis a sus días de gloria.

Nike says Elliott Hill will replace John Donahoe as CEO in October. Nike has struggled to turn around its business over the last year.

Nike's new CEO is expected to double down on the company's efforts to repair relations with retailers to energize sales, reversing a strategy under outgoing chief John Donahoe that focused on selling directly through its stores and website.

The company looks to shake things up as demand for its trainers falters in international markets.

In his first message to employees, Nike's new CEO, Elliot Hill, acknowledged that the company faces challenging times.

Nike on Thursday announced it would replace CEO John Donahoe with his former colleague, Elliott Hill, sending the stock soaring on the news. Hill, 60, is returning to Nike four years after retiring from the sneaker giant.