Nike pledges £900,000 through female-focused think tank endorsed by Serena Williams

Nike has launched an athletes think tank to create a space for the company to "listen and learn" as it builds on a commitment to support female athletes.

The think tank will help create more meaningful relationships with athletes. Founding members include tennis star Serena Williams and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Nike has said that it will later expand the think tank initiative and add more women to the group, extending the opportunity to create more long-term and actionable impact.

“Having female athletes be part of these conversations is critical to not just Nike's development as a company, but to sport development in general,” said fencer and Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, who was also part of the think tank.

During the conversations the athletes highlighted the importance of creating access to sport, from a financial perspective and inclusivity perspective.

The athletes included Ada Hegerberg, Angela Davis, Bebe Vio, Dina Asher-Smith, Deyna Castellanos, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Nafissatou Thiam, Sabrina Ionescu, Scout Bassett, Shalane Flanagan, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Simone Manuel.

Another aspect that emerged from the conversations was the importance of purpose and meaningful community efforts, with Nike choosing to invest £990,000 in 20 community organisations.

Whitney Malkiel, Global VP/GM of Nike Women said: “We initiated the Nike Athlete Think Tank to turn insights into action. Our greatest strength has always been our partnerships with the world’s best individual athletes. For the first time, we’ve united a collective of female icons that span across sports and countries to help us shape strategies that will improve the experience of all girls and women in sport.”