Nike (United States)

Nike (United States)
Name	Nike, Inc.
Type	Public
Founded	1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports); 1971 (as Nike, Inc.)
Founders	Phil Knight; Bill Bowerman
Headquarters	Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	John Donahoe; Mark Parker; Travis Knight
Industry	Footwear; Apparel; Sports equipment
Products	Athletic footwear; Sportswear; Sports equipment
Revenue	US$ (see Financial Performance)
Employees	Approx. 79,000 (2024)

Nike (United States) Nike, Inc., commonly known as Nike, is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops, and sells athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 and rebranded in 1971, Nike grew into a global brand tied to high-profile athletes and institutions such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo, and teams in the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Fédération Internationale de Football Association. The company is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon and has significant relationships with retailers including Foot Locker, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Amazon (company).

History

Nike traces roots to Blue Ribbon Sports, founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman in 1964; the company opened its first store and began importing Onitsuka Tiger shoes from Japan. In 1971 the Swoosh logo was created by graphic designer Carolyn Davidson and the company adopted the name inspired by the Greek goddess Nike (mythology). During the 1970s and 1980s Nike expanded via endorsements with athletes such as Steve Prefontaine, Michael Jordan and by entering markets alongside competitors like Adidas, Puma (company), and Reebok. The launch of the Air Jordan line in 1984 and the introduction of technologies such as Nike Air propelled global growth through the 1990s amid competition with New Balance, Fila, and Skechers (company). Nike navigated legal and market challenges into the 21st century while investing in direct-to-consumer channels and acquisitions including Converse (company) and Hurley International.

Products and Brands

Nike's flagship products include Nike-branded athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment featuring technologies such as Nike Air, Flyknit, and Dri-FIT. Subsidiaries and labels under its portfolio include Jordan Brand, Converse (company), Hurley International, and lifestyle lines that compete with Adidas Originals and Puma (company). Nike produces sport-specific lines for basketball, soccer, running, tennis, and golf with signature athlete collections like Air Jordan (with Michael Jordan), LeBron (with LeBron James), and CR7 (with Cristiano Ronaldo). The company sources manufacturing across suppliers in countries including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, partnering with manufacturers that also supply brands such as New Balance and Under Armour.

Marketing and Sponsorships

Nike's marketing strategy emphasizes athlete endorsements, high-profile campaigns, and event sponsorships. Historically notable campaigns and collaborations include "Just Do It", the partnership with Michael Jordan resulting in the Air Jordan franchise, and ambassadorships with athletes like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, and Eliud Kipchoge. Nike holds sponsorship agreements with clubs and federations such as FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., United States Soccer Federation, and national teams in FIFA World Cup cycles, while working with leagues like the National Basketball Association and National Football League for apparel deals. The company also invests in influencer and culture partnerships with entertainers and institutions including Travis Scott, Virgil Abloh during his tenure at Off-White, and collaborations with retailers like Foot Locker.

Corporate Structure and Leadership

Nike is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NKE. Corporate governance has included longtime executives and board members such as Phil Knight, Mark Parker, and current leadership including John Donahoe. Nike's executive teams oversee global business units and regional divisions, interacting with institutional investors like BlackRock and Vanguard (company). The company has engaged in mergers and acquisitions, governance adjustments in response to shareholder resolutions, and succession planning that involved leaders moving between Nike and related entities such as Converse (company) and technology firms.

Financial Performance

Nike reports revenues and earnings on a fiscal-year basis, competing financially with Adidas, Under Armour, Puma (company), and New Balance USA. Revenue drivers include direct-to-consumer retail, wholesale channels with partners like Foot Locker and Dick's Sporting Goods, and international markets including Greater China and Europe. Key financial events have included growth tied to successful product launches such as Air Jordan and technology rollouts like Nike Air, as well as impacts from supply chain disruptions in manufacturing hubs in China and Vietnam and macroeconomic trends affecting discretionary spend alongside peers.

Controversies and Criticism

Nike has faced controversies including labor and manufacturing practices highlighted in investigations involving factories in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, drawing scrutiny from advocacy groups and media outlets. The company has been criticized over contracts and conduct related to athlete endorsements and naming rights, including disputes involving Colin Kaepernick's campaign and reactions from political figures and organizations. Legal disputes have included intellectual property and antitrust matters with competitors such as Adidas and Converse (company), and regulatory inquiries involving trade and customs authorities in jurisdictions including the United States and European Union.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

In response to criticism and global sustainability movements, Nike has developed programs addressing labor standards, supply-chain transparency, and environmental initiatives. The company has set targets for materials innovation such as increased use of recycled polyester and sustainable alternatives aligned with objectives advanced by organizations like CDP (organization) and frameworks similar to those advocated by United Nations Environment Programme. Nike collaborates with non-governmental organizations and industry groups including Fair Labor Association to audit factories and implement remediation, while pursuing goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across operations and supplier networks.

Category:Companies based in Oregon Category:Sporting goods manufacturers of the United States