Stanford has hired former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its new athletic director, marking a shift from a more traditional hire to one with extensive business experience rather than just a typical sports administration background.

Former Nike and eBay CEO John Donahoe has been named as Stanford's athletic director after school officials viewed him as a "unicorn candidate" because of his business ties and history at the school.

John Donahoe will become Stanford’s eighth athletic director and replace Bernard Muir, who stepped down this year