Nike Appoints Tim Cook as Its “Lead Independent Director”

According to Nike’s website, the company today has appointed Apple CEO Tim Cook as lead independent director. While it’s unclear exactly what this means at the moment, Cook has been on Nike’s board of directors since 2005. Cook’s promotion to lead independent director comes as Nike chairman Phil Knight retires from the board of directors and is replaced by Mark Parker. Parker is also Nike’s President and CEO. All of the changes are effective immediately. Nike and Apple have also long worked together, with Apple including a Nike Running app on its devices for years now. In addition to his new role as lead independent director, Cook is also chair of the board’s Compensation Committee and is a member of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee.