Nike can choose to pay pregnant athletes — and these days, it often does. Nike declined to answer our question whether it contractually guarantees women won’t be penalized for pregnancy. As recently as this year, Nike refused a request for contractual pregnancy protection for an elite runner. Why should these women be paid if they aren’t competing during pregnancy? Nike-sponsored athletes can continue to make appearances on behalf of the company, even if they aren’t racing.

Source: New York Times May 14, 2019 22:24 UTC