The former leader returns to the athletic sportswear and apparel company, which has seen sluggish sales in the past year.

After losing market share in recent years, Nike faces near-term challenges such as the sales momentum among competitors.

In hiring Hill, Nike signaled its intent to bring the company back to its glory days—a feat Barron’s believes it can do. We ...

Shares of Nike Inc. climbed 6% Friday after the sneaker and sportswear giant announced a change in CEO. But analysts say the incoming chief executive, company veteran Elliott Hill, has his work cut ...