Nike and Obama Foundation to Build Sports Community Center In Chicago

January 17, 2020 

Nike is teaming up with Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation to build an athletic facility at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. With Nike providing $5 million in funding, the public facility will tap into the “powerful transformative abilities of sport."

The Obama Presidential Center will be the first U.S. presidential centre to include a community recreation facility. The other three buildings on campus will be a museum to tell the story of President Obama’s presidency, a forum for public meetings and a library in partnership with the Chicago Public Library.  

In addition, the campus will have new gardens, a two-acre playground, paths for jogging and strolling, children’s recreation areas and a public plaza for community gatherings and performances.  

“[Barack] Obama has said it wouldn’t be his presidential centre if there wasn’t a place to play some hoops,” says Jorge Casimiro, Nike’s Chief Social and Community Impact Officer. “We wanted to make sure it had a building in the centre focused on recreation, play and athletics.” 

“Our approach to these community partnerships is grounded in the knowledge that kids who move will move the world. And for those facing the steepest barriers, the benefits of play and sport have an especially powerful ripple effect.” 

Nike has worked with Barack and Michelle Obama since a 2013 announcement that supported Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative with a $50 million investment over five years.  

Following this Casimiro says, “The Obama Presidential Centre will be a reminder to people of all ages that their potential is unlimited.”