Nike, Inc.

Nike, Inc.
source
Name	Nike, Inc.
Founded	25 January 1964
Founders	Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight
Hq location city	Beaverton, Oregon
Hq location country	United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	John Donahoe (CEO), Mark Parker (Executive Chairman)
Industry	Apparel, Footwear, Sports equipment
Products	Athletic shoes, sportswear, sports equipment
Revenue	▲ US$51.22 billion (2024)
Num employees	c. 83,700 (2024)

Nike, Inc. is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Founded by track athlete Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman, the company has grown from a distributor for the Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka Tiger into one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, its iconic Swoosh logo and "Just Do It" slogan are embedded in global sports culture and consumerism.

History

The company's origins trace to 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, a partnership between University of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman. Initially operating as a distributor for the Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka Tiger, the partners began designing their own footwear, leading to the creation of the Nike brand in 1971. The famous Swoosh logo was designed by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for a fee of $35. A pivotal innovation came in 1979 with the introduction of "Air" cushioning technology by aerospace engineer Frank Rudy, first featured in the Nike Air Tailwind. The company's growth was propelled by the signing of basketball rookie Michael Jordan in 1984, leading to the revolutionary Air Jordan line. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it expanded globally, acquiring subsidiaries like Converse in 2003 and establishing dominance in markets from North America to Europe and Asia.

Products

The company's core product lines encompass performance and lifestyle athletic shoes, sportswear, and sports equipment. Its footwear innovations include proprietary cushioning systems like Nike Air and Zoom Air, and materials such as Flyknit. Key footwear models span categories from running, with the Nike Air Max and Nike Pegasus series, to basketball, led by the LeBron James and Kyrie Irving signature lines. Apparel ranges from performance gear for sports like soccer and tennis to the casual Nike Sportswear line. Equipment includes items for golf, featuring clubs and balls under the Nike Golf brand, and technology products like the Nike+ sensor platform. The company also produces a wide array of accessories, including bags and headwear.

Marketing and sponsorships

Marketing strategy has long centered on high-profile endorsements and memorable advertising campaigns. The 1988 "Just Do It" slogan, created by the Wieden+Kennedy agency, became a cultural phenomenon. It has historically sponsored legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Serena Williams. Current major endorsement deals include partnerships with Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Naomi Osaka. The company is a leading sponsor of major sports federations and events, including long-term kit supplier agreements with the National Football League, NBA, and numerous top Premier League football clubs like Liverpool F.C. and FC Barcelona. Its marketing often intersects with pop culture, collaborating with figures like Drake and designers such as Virgil Abloh on the Off-White collaboration.

Corporate affairs

The company is incorporated in the state of Oregon and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NKE. Its global headquarters, the Nike World Headquarters campus in Beaverton, Oregon, is known for its expansive facilities. Leadership has included long-time CEO Phil Knight, followed by Mark Parker, and current CEO John Donahoe. Its business model focuses on extensive outsourcing, with manufacturing contracted to numerous independent factories, primarily in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. The company operates a vast retail network including Nike Factory Stores, Nike Town flagship locations, and its Nike.com e-commerce platform, while also wholesaling to a global network of retailers.

Controversies

The company has faced significant criticism and controversy throughout its history. In the 1990s, it was the focus of widespread anti-sweatshop movements and protests over labor conditions in its Asian contract factories, leading to the creation of the Fair Labor Association. It has faced numerous lawsuits, including the 2019 NCAA scandal involving amateurism rules and the 2021 gender discrimination lawsuit, *Rathod v. Nike*. Environmental groups have criticized its environmental impact, though it has launched sustainability initiatives like the "Move to Zero" campaign. Its marketing and corporate stance on social issues, such as its support for Colin Kaepernick in a 2018 advertisement, have also generated intense public debate and consumer backlash.

See also

* Adidas * Puma SE * Under Armour * Sportswear (activewear) * List of largest companies by revenue

Category:Companies based in Oregon Category:Sportswear brands Category:Footwear companies