Sometimes, shooting your shot leads to the most unexpected outcomes. That’s exactly what happened to entrepreneur and investor Sam Byrne, who boldly cold-applied for the position of Nike’s CEO. At first, the global sportswear giant turned him down, but thanks to his fearless approach and the way he shared the story online, Nike ended up circling back with an unexpected opportunity.
Byrne revealed on LinkedIn that he emailed Nike directly, applying for the top job. Unsurprisingly, his application was rejected. But the response he received was far from a standard “no.” Nike admitted they admired his ambition, though his unconventional proposals raised eyebrows.
Among his suggestions were bold claims such as, “Give me a week and I’ll triple sales by removing all white midsoles,” “Make 110s, £110 again,” and “Only ever make OG colourways.” He even offered to merge Nike with his own startup, Block P, suggested relocating the company’s headquarters from Oregon to 36 Renshaw Street in Liverpool, and asked to be paid in store credit and unreleased sneakers.
While the brand appreciated his vision, HR noted that his ideas were too risky and concluded they would move forward with a more traditional candidate.
Not one to take rejection personally, Byrne posted the email exchange on LinkedIn, and it quickly went viral. The boldness of his move captured attention far and wide, and surprisingly, Nike came back to him with an offer.
While it wasn’t the CEO role he initially applied for, the company extended a six-month internship, impressed by his creativity, cultural insight, and passion. In their follow-up email, Nike explained that the internship was designed as a trial period, with the possibility of a more permanent leadership role if he proved as unstoppable in Oregon as he was in Liverpool.
They wanted him to share expertise in Liverpool’s 110 culture, consult on heritage product strategy, and explore collaborations between Nike and Block P. The email even ended with the words, “Bring your ideas — and your 110s,” while informing him that his flight tickets were booked and his desk was ready.
His post didn’t just earn Nike’s attention, it sparked a flood of reactions online. LinkedIn users encouraged him to seize the moment, with some cheering, “Shooters shoot. Dream big,” while others joked that step one of becoming CEO and moving Nike’s headquarters to Liverpool was already complete. A few even suggested countering the offer and demanding the actual CEO role.
Byrne’s story is a reminder that rejection isn’t always the end — sometimes it’s the beginning of something bigger. His boldness and authenticity turned a flat “no” into an open door, proving that fortune really does favor the bold. Now the big question remains: should he accept Nike’s invitation, or pass it up for something even greater?
