Nike is doubling down on internal talent. The Oregon-based sportswear giant has announced a major executive restructuring, headlined by the appointment of César García as the new Global Vice President and General Manager for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
Internal Talent at the Forefront
García, a Spanish national who joined Nike in April 2001, will relocate to Hilversum, Netherlands, to lead the EMEA division. He succeeds Carl Grebert, who is retiring after nearly 30 years with the company. García most recently headed Nike’s global product marketing, operations, and data science units.
Greater China Leadership Transition
In addition to the EMEA appointment, Nike confirmed that Angela Dong will step down as President of Greater China on March 31. Cathy Sparks, a 25-year Nike veteran and current VP of APLA (Asia-Pacific and Latin America), will take over the leadership of the Chinese market.
Mixed Financial Results for FY2026
The leadership changes come as Nike navigates a challenging financial landscape. For the first half of the 2026 fiscal year:
- Net Profit: Reported at $1.519 billion, a 31% decline compared to the previous year.
- Total Revenue: Reached $2.147 billion, a slight 1% increase.
- Wholesale vs. Direct: Wholesale revenue surged by 8% ($7.5 billion), while Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) sales fell by 9%, largely due to a 14% slump in digital commerce.
Despite the global profit dip, the EMEA region remains a bright spot with a 3% revenue increase, while Greater China saw a significant 17% decline.