Nike has named LVMH executive Alexandre Arnault as the latest addition to its board of directors in a bold move that comes amid a major continuing turnaround effort at the Oregon-based sportswear maker.
The company announced the appointment on Wednesday with Arnault bringing a depth of experience from the world of luxury brands and lend toward Nike’s performance sports and lifestyle portfolio of products.
“Alexandre understands how some of the world’s most influential brands stay relevant, deepen consumer connections and drive long-term growth,” Nike president and CEO Elliott Hill said. “His experience across innovation, digital transformation and brand building will be an asset as we continue to strengthen our connection with consumers, sharpen our competitive edge and accelerate NIKE’s next chapter of growth around the world.”
Arnault, 34, is one of five children of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and has held substantial operating roles within his family’s business. He currently serves as the deputy CEO of Moët Hennessy, LVMH’s wines and spirits division, where he has worked since 2025 and previously held the position of executive vice president of product, Communications and Industrial at Tiffany & Co. for four years.
The attention now turns to helping with the group project of rebooting Nike’s struggling sales and its stock price, which sat near its 52-week low at its close at $35.78 on Wednesday. On Monday, the brand will be removed from the S&P 100, in another clear indicator of the company’s turbulent time in the marketplace.
Nike will stay in the broader S&P 500, but the looming downgrade removed it from being among the most stable and influential blue-chip companies in the United States.
“Alexandre has earned a reputation for helping iconic global brands evolve, innovate and grow in a changing, complex marketplace,” Mark Parker, executive chairman of Nike said. “As part of our commitment to strong governance and thoughtful board succession, we look for leaders with distinctive experiences, fresh perspectives and a proven ability to create long-term value. Alexandre’s leadership across some of the world’s most respected brands will make him a strong addition to our Board.”
What is unclear, for now, is what areas of Nike will see touches of Arnault’s insight. He could pitch in on the company’s planned move to drastically revamp its presence in China as it looks to trim more than 1,000 of its existing online distributors in January and shift its online presence to its own website, app and Tmall, JD.com and Douyin.
Nike has endured a crushing eight straight quarters of decline in China and the dismantling of the distributor network gives it tighter control over setting prices, wholesale agreements and realigning how it is branded in what is a critical region. An assist on helping tackle the Chinese market would be seen as a welcome boost, as the loudness of how urgent a reset at Nike is needed reaches its apex.
Arnault has been on the LVMH board since 2024 and is a trustee of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. He has previously served on the boards of Carrefour, Birkenstock and Moncler.
