Fri Apr 25 16:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Nike Denies Funding Youth Transgender Athlete Study Despite Public Claims

**NEW YORK, NY** – A controversy is brewing over a purported Nike-funded study on the effects of hormone therapy on young transgender athletes. Initial reports from OutKick, citing Dr. Kathryn Ackerman and researcher Joanna Harper, claimed Nike was financially supporting research into the topic, focusing on athletes as young as 12. Both Ackerman and Harper have repeatedly stated Nike’s involvement, with Ackerman mentioning funding as recently as 2025. The *New York Times* also reported on Nike’s alleged funding in a recent article.

However, under mounting public pressure, Nike has now issued a statement claiming the study was “never initialized and is not moving forward.” The company offered no further clarification on the timeline of the decision, whether any funds were ever disbursed, or who made the decision to halt the project. This response has left key questions unanswered, including the accuracy of Ackerman and Harper’s claims.

While Nike maintains no one was “wrong” in reporting the study, the company attributed the discrepancy to “gaps in the information chain.” OutKick’s attempts to reach Dr. Ackerman and individuals at Nike’s Sport Research Lab for further comment yielded limited results, with Nike directing inquiries to its media relations department.

The *New York Times* stands by its reporting on Nike’s involvement. The lack of concrete information from Nike regarding the study’s status leaves the public with more questions than answers about the company’s alleged role in researching the effects of hormone therapy on young transgender athletes.

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