In This Article
In short: A federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Portland alleges that an underage elite high school athlete was sexually assaulted in a Beaverton hotel room during Nike’s Elite Program over the July 4 weekend. The suit names Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation as defendants and alleges they failed to provide reasonably safe conditions. The allegations have not been proven in court. Goldberg & Loren attorney George Goldberg represents the plaintiffs.
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What the Lawsuit Alleges
A newly filed federal lawsuit alleges that an elite high school athlete was raped in a Beaverton, Oregon hotel room while attending a Nike-backed event, according to reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive.[1]
The lawsuit was filed by the parents of the alleged victim, who is a minor and is not named in court records. The alleged assailant, another program participant, is also not named in the court records.
According to the lawsuit, both the alleged victim and the alleged assailant took part in the Nike Elite Program at Nike’s headquarters over the July 4 weekend. Every account below reflects what the complaint alleges. None of these allegations has been tested or proven in court.
What Is the Nike Elite Program?
The Nike Elite Program is described on its website as a program for 40 of the country’s top high school track athletes, made up of 20 male and 20 female participants. According to the lawsuit, the program is operated in partnership with the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation.
What the Complaint Says Happened
The following is a summary of the plaintiffs’ allegations as stated in the complaint. They are unproven claims, not established facts:
- The lawsuit says the plaintiff, the alleged assailant, and other participants gathered around 10 p.m. on July 5 in a Beaverton hotel room provided by Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation.
- After the other participants left, the complaint alleges, the alleged assailant violently assaulted the alleged victim and choked her when she tried to call for help.
- The lawsuit alleges that Nike and National Scholastic Athletics Foundation staff later found the alleged victim in a hotel hallway, urged her to characterize the encounter as consensual, and required her to make a written statement. It alleges one of her parents was not allowed to review or read that statement.
- The alleged victim was treated at a local hospital, according to the lawsuit.
- The complaint alleges the assailant was expelled from the program and sent home, and that the plaintiffs later learned the assailant had prior “disciplinary issues” and was already in the process of being removed from the program when the alleged assault occurred.
- The lawsuit alleges that Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation did not warn other athletes or their parents about the assailant.
The complaint alleges that Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation were negligent by failing to provide “reasonably safe conditions,” and it seeks economic and non-economic damages.
Reported to Police
According to the lawsuit, the alleged assault was reported to the Beaverton Police Department. A department spokesperson said police are investigating the complaint.
What the Defendants Have Said
Nike, which typically does not discuss active litigation, declined to comment, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive. The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As of this writing, the defendants have not filed a response to the allegations, and the claims remain unproven.
The Family’s Legal Team
George Goldberg of Goldberg & Loren represents the plaintiffs. Speaking to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Goldberg described the family as people who “put their faith and trust in the system,” and referred to the alleged victim as an “innocent girl who came here to be part of something that might have been the start of a very amazing life, and hopefully it doesn’t derail her too much.”[1]
Support and Resources for Survivors
If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse or assault, help is available and confidential. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673 (RAINN).
Survivors of sexual abuse may also have the right to pursue a civil claim, separate from any criminal case, against those responsible and, in some situations, the organizations that failed to keep them safe. If you have questions about your options, our team offers free and confidential consultations. You can reach the Portland office of Goldberg & Loren at (971) 339-8080 or learn more on our Portland sexual abuse attorney page.
Sources:
[1] Kish, Matthew. “Lawsuit alleges sexual assault during Nike-backed event for elite high school athletes.” The Oregonian/OregonLive, September 2026.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It summarizes allegations contained in a civil complaint and in published news reporting. The allegations described have not been proven in court, and every defendant is presumed not liable unless and until liability is established through the legal process. Nothing here should be read as a statement of opinion on the merits of the case.
