Foot Locker has hired former VP of Nike North America Ann Freeman, previously known as Ann Hebert, as the president of its North America operations.
News of the hire was announced today when Dick's Sporting Goods confirmed it has completed its acquisition of the retail chain. In a press release from Dick's Sporting Goods, it confirmed that Freeman was formerly a longtime executive at Nike.
Freeman worked at Nike for more than 25 years before stepping down in 2021, after it was discovered that her son Joe was using a credit card under her name for his reselling business, West Coast Streetwear. While an internal investigation by Nike showed Freeman did not violate any company policies, both parties decided it was best for her to depart from the company. Then, in August 2022, footwear company Allbirds announced it brought Freeman on its board of directors, which was the first time the former Nike VP took on the surname publicly.
"I am thrilled to join and lead Foot Locker North America at such a transformative moment," Freeman, the new president of Foot Locker North America, said. "Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build on Foot Locker's rich heritage and deliver innovative experiences to a variety of footwear consumers—from athletes to sneaker enthusiasts and everyone in between. I look forward to working with the talented Foot Locker team as we accelerate growth, enrich our brand partnerships, and inspire the next generation of consumers."
