Stanford late Thursday named former Nike CEO John Donahoe its next athletic director, a seemingly unlikely hire, but one the university said is a perfect fit given the ongoing turmoil in college sports. The move also further cements the university’s ties with Nike co-founder Phil Knight, a Stanford alumnus and a major donor.

Stanford tapped veteran executive John Donahoe, former Nike CEO and longtime supporter, to succeed Bernard Muir as athletic director.

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.