Nike Inc. has agreed to pay $7.6 million to settle a race discrimination lawsuit by current and former African-American employees of its Niketown store [in Chicago]...Nike denied any wrongdoing or liability. The company and attorneys for the class said in a joint statement Monday that they settled to "avoid continued and protracted litigation."...At issue was whether Niketown systematically discriminated against these workers in hiring, promotions, benefits and workplace discipline, thus subjecting them to a hostile environment...Under terms of the proposed settlement and consent decree, the...store will be monitored...Other measures include diversity training for supervisors and managers...