Nike is being investigated for alleged discrimination against white employees.

The federal regulatory agency responsible for combating workplace discrimination has chosen a high-profile target in its efforts to eliminate diversity practices in companies: Nike. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation to determine whether Nike has discriminated against white employees in recruiting, layoffs, and other decision-making processes in its efforts to achieve workforce diversity. The agency has issued a subpoena lawsuit against Nike in a federal court in Missouri and added that it has been seeking information on the company's diversity initiatives since 2018. Nike denies violating anti-discrimination laws and expressed surprise at the EEOC's move. "This feels like a surprising and unusual escalation," a Nike spokesperson said, adding that the company has been cooperating sincerely with the investigation. "We have shared thousands of pages of information, provided detailed written responses to the EEOC's inquiries, and are providing more information."