It may sound absurd, but this track and field legend actually reaped rich business benefits from her fallout with Nike! Well, the above statement might sound absurd, but it’s true. Sometimes, getting snubbed by big brands can turn into a blessing. And that is exactly what this US star has been experiencing after her fallout with Nike. During her pregnancy, she understandably missed much competition. Shockingly, much to her dismay, Nike, the brand she was in contract with back then, had a bizarre proposal. They asked the six-time Olympic champ to settle for a significant pay cut; not only that, they also refused to provide her with the expected maternity protection. As luck would have it… that dispute paved the way for her own business to prosper.

Who are we talking about? Yes, you guessed it right. She is none other than the most decorated woman track Olympian, Allyson Felix.

In a shocking turn of events, Nike asked Felix to accept a 70% pay cut. While this led to a huge fallout, Felix soon joined hands with Athleta, a brand focused exclusively on safeguarding women’s rights. The track & field legend got all her requirements sorted at Athleta, continuing with the brand. Now, this sounds like a perfect ending to the story. However, this was not it. Trying to protect the rights and look after the convenience of pregnant athletes, Felix came up with her own shoe brand, ‘Saysh.’ Today, ‘Saysh’ is one of the fastest-growing shoe brands in the world, designed for and by women. Surely, Felix cannot be more thankful to Nike for this!

In a recent interview with Access Hollywood, Allyson Felix was asked if her spat with Nike was a blessing in disguise. Without any hesitation, the Olympic gold medalist nodded in approval. “Yeah, absolutely. I think I’m absolutely where I’m supposed to be, and that, like, it helped me find my voice and just get the courage to say I don’t have to do this traditional way,” said Felix. The athlete also stated that after coming out of Nike and starting her own brand, she felt that she could finally do what she wanted, devoid of any hindrance. 

Felix then went on to detail her shoe brand. Stressing the unique form factor, the Olympian stated how the shoes were designed exclusively to fit a woman’s feet. Then, she spilled a surprising piece of information. “So what most women don’t know is that we’re wearing men’s sneakers. Most shoes are made off of the mold of a man’s foot, and at Saysh, we do things differently,” said Felix. She went on to explain how a woman has a wider forefoot and a narrow heel. Meanwhile, this is not the only step she has taken to ensure women’s convenience in sports. Felix is known for voicing her concerns for women’s safety in sports. 

Allyson Felix calls out crisis in women’s safety in sports

Allyson Felix, the most decorated track & field athlete of all time, is not only a champion on the track but also a fierce advocate for women’s rights, particularly in sports. Recently, she turned her attention to a pressing issue: the safety of female athletes. With violence against women in sports making headlines this year, Felix is determined to raise awareness – to spark a change. “There has to be a change in the culture. Something is not right, and it does make me worry,” she says, voicing her deep concerns for the safety of women athletes, especially in certain parts of the world.

Felix’s worry became more poignant after the tragic death of Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was killed by her boyfriend in Kenya. This tragedy, among others, has spurred Felix to prioritize this issue in her role as a newly elected member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. “The consequences have to be severe, but I think there has to be more than that,” Felix emphasized. Allyson advocates for a community-wide response to end the violence, pushing for safety measures that go beyond punishment.

As she continues her advocacy, Felix is unwavering in her fight for a safer environment for women athletes worldwide. She sees this as a crucial part of her legacy—one that extends beyond her incredible track achievements, influencing positive change both in and outside of sports.