Nike has been a round for five decades. FN takes a look back at the celebrities, athletes and everyday people who helped to define the brand.
This article was originally published in April 2022.
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Diff’rent Strokes, 1979
Image Credit: © Columbia/Tri-Star / Courtesy: Everett Collection Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman in “Diff’rent Strokes,” Bridges in a pair of Nikes.
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“Americathon,” 1979
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection A pair of Nikes in a tandem lineup in the 1979 film.
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The Barbara Walters Special, 1980
Image Credit: © ABC / Courtesy: Everett Collection John Derek in a pair of Nike sneakers while being interviewed by Barbara Walters with Bo Derek.
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John McEnroe, 1981
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Tennis player John McEnroe practicing before a match at the 1981 US Tennis Open in Flushing, New York.
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Richard Simmons, 1981
Image Credit: Jim Britt / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection Richard Simmons in “The Richard Simmons Show.” The fitness instructor wore plenty of the brand’s athletic shoes.
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“The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid,” 1981
Image Credit: © NBC / Courtesy: Everett Collection ‘Mean’ Joe Greene and Henry Thomas in the 1981 sports film.
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“Rocky III,” 1982
Image Credit: © United Artists/MGM / Courtesy: Everett Collection Carl Weathers in a pair of Nikes, running with Sylvester Stallon in the 1982 film.
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“E.T.”, 1982
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection Henry Thomas in E. T., 1982. The actor wore the Nike Cortez sneaker in the movie.
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Boston Marathon, 1982
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing A runner races toward the finish link during the annual Boston Marathon held on Patriots Day, April 19, 1982. The runner is wearing the Nike Tailwind running shoe.
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The Boston Marathon, 1982.
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing A runner races toward the finish link during the annual Boston Marathon held on Patriots Day, April 19, 1982. The runner is wearing the Nike Tailwind running shoe.
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Boston Marathon, 1982
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Participants take a break during the annual Boston Marathon held on Patriots Day, April 19, 1982. The runners are wearing the Nike Tailwind running shoe and other sport brand apparel and accessories.
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Boston Marathon, 1982
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Participants take a break during the annual Boston Marathon held on Patriots Day, April 19, 1982. The runners are wearing the Nike Tailwind running shoe and other sport brand apparel and accessories.
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U.S. Open, 1982
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Attendees in Nike sneakers at the 1982 U.S. Open.
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Tom Cruise, 1983
Image Credit: Courtesy: Everett Collection. Tom Cruise in the sports film “All the Right Moves,” 1983.
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“Flashdance,” 1983
Image Credit: (c) Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection Jennifer Beals (right) in “Flashdance,” 1983.
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New York, 1983
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Vitas Gerulaitis performs onstage during a Special Olympics benefit concert at Pier 84 in New York City on July 23, 1983.
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U.S. Open, 1984
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Guests attend the 1984 US Open Championship games in Queens, New York on August 31, 1984.
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John McEnroe, 1984
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing John McEnroe plays tennis during the U.S. Open tournament at the National Tennis Center in the Flushing, Queens, neighborhood of New York City on September 5, 1984.
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John McEnroe, 1984
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing McEnroe plays tennis during the U.S. Open, September 5, 1984.
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“The Breakfast Club,” 1985
Image Credit: ©Universal/courtesy Everett Collection Emilio Estevez and Anthony Michael Hall in “The Breakfast Club,” 1985.
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“The Goonies,” 1985
Image Credit: © Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection From left: Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan (aka Jonathan Ke Quan) and Sean Astin in “The Goonies,” 1985.
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“Back to the Future,” 1985
Image Credit: (c) MCA/Universal Pictures - Courtesy: Everett Collection. Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future,” 1985.
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“Back to the Future Part II,” 1989
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future II,” 1989
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Neil Patrick Harris, 1989
Image Credit: © Fox / Courtesy: Everett Collection Neil Patrick Harris in the TV show “Doogie Howser M.D.” 1989.
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Keith Haring, 1988
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Artist Keith Haring and guest pose for photographs with a motorcycle, custom painted in Keith Haring’s design. The artist wears Nike’s 1986 Penetrator sneakers.
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“Big,” 1988
Image Credit: Courtesy: Everett Collection. Tom Hanks and Jared Rushton in “Big,” 1988.
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“Dream Team,” 1989
Image Credit: (c)Universal Pictures. Courtesy: Everett Collection. Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Stephen Furst and Peter Boyle in “Dream Team,” 1989.
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“Look Who’s Talking,” 1989
Image Credit: © Columbia TriStar / Courtesy: Everett Collection John Travolta in “Look Who’s Talking,” 1989.
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Will Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” 1990-1996
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Smith in a pair of Nike Air Jordans for a promo still. His character frequently wore the brand and the show became a vehicle for early ’90s fashion.
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Will Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” 1990-1996
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Smith in a pair of Air Jordans with co-star Joseph Marcell.
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Will Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” 1990-1996
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Smith in a pair of Nike Air Jordans with the tag still on them.
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Will Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” 1990-1996
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Smith in a pair of black-and-white leather Nikes.
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“Home Improvement,” 1991
Image Credit: © Touchstone Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection From left: Taran Noah Smith, Tim Allen, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachery Ty Bryan in the pilot episode of “Home Improvement,” 1991.
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Special Ed, 1991
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Rapper Special Ed modeling a look that includes a pair of Nike sneakers, 1991.
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Spike Lee, 1991
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing John Singleton (L) and Spike Lee attend the New York Premiere of “Boyz N the Hood” at the Loews Astor Plaza in New York City on July 9, 1991. Lee wears the 1991 Nike Air Huarache sneakers.
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Model in Nikes, 1992
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Urban Sportswear Spring 1993 Advances.
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“White Men Can’t Jump,” 1992
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes on the court in the 1992 basketball film.
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Spike Lee, 1992
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Jeffrey Tweedy and Spike Lee pose for portraits while celebrating the release of Lee’s first fashion collection, part of an overall merchadise line titled 40 Acres and a Mule Products, in New York City on June 8, 1992.
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Dustin Hoffman, 1993
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Chris Evert Lloyd, Dustin Hoffman and Andre Agassi attend the Volvo Celebrity Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles, California on August 3, 1993.
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DKNY Collection, 1993
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing DKNY’s “A League of Their Own” baseball inspired sportswear collection, shown with Nike sneakers. Designer Donna Karan poses with models on set.
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Spike Lee, 1993
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Director Spike Lee poses with a model in his Spring 1993 collection. Director Spike Lee poses with a model in his Spring 1992 40Acres and A Mule sportswear collection advance. Spike Lee wears Nike “Air Raid Got Skeeels” sneakers.
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Spike Lee, 1993
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Director Spike Lee poses with a model in his Spring 1993 collection. Director Spike Lee poses with a model in his Spring 1992 40Acres and A Mule sportswear collection advance. Spike Lee wears Nike “Air Raid Got Skeeels” sneakers.
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“Forrest Gump,” 1996
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Tom Hank’s titular character running in a pair of Nike Cortez sneakers in the blockbuster film.
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Richard Simmons, 1994
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection The fitness instructor in Nike sneakers.
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“The Indian in the Cupboard,” 1995
Image Credit: ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Rishi Bhat and Hal Scardino in “The Indian in the Cupboard,” 1995.
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Tiger Woods and Carl Lewis, 1997
Image Credit: AP Images Tiger Woods, right, and sprinter Carl Lewis at the Nike/Toyota Golf Challenge, a new theme park in downtown Tokyo, Thursday, Nov. 6, 1997.
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Michael Jordan Jumpman Team 1 and Nike Activewear and Sneaker Launch and Fashion Show at Niketown, 1997
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Closeup of Michael Jordon’s, Air Jordan XIII sneaker during a fashion show at NikeTown in New York on September 9, 1997.
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Michael Jordan Jumpman Team 1 and Nike Activewear and Sneaker Launch and Fashion Show at Niketown, 1997
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Michael Jordan on stage during the Jordan Jumpman brand activewear and sneaker launch at Niketown on September 9, 1997.
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Michael Jordan Jumpman Team 1 and Nike Activewear and Sneaker Launch and Fashion Show at Niketown, 1997
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Nike designer Tinker Hatfield on stage during the launch of Michael Jordan’s Jumpman brand activewear and sneakers at Niketown on September 9, 1997.
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Michael Jordan Jumpman Team 1 and Nike Activewear and Sneaker Launch and Fashion Show at Niketown, 1997
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Commentator Ahmad Rashaad, Jumpman Team 1 members (L-R)Vin Baker, Ray Allen, Eddie Jones, Michael Finley, basketball player Michael Jordan and Derek Anderson, launch the Michael Jordan Jumpman brand activewear and sneakers at Niketown on September 9, 1997.
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Michael Jordan Jumpman Team 1 and Nike Activewear and Sneaker Launch and Fashion Show at Niketown, 1997
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Rapper Jonathan”Q Tip” Davis in Michael Jordan’s Jumpman activewear and Nike Air Jordan XIII sneakers at NikeTown in New York on September 9, 1997.
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Nike Sports Apparel and Sneaker Collection Fashion Show at Chelsea Piers, 1997
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Models pose on stage in sports apparel from Nike during a fashion show at Chelsea Piers in New York on March 27, 1997.
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Nike Sports Apparel and Sneaker Collection Fashion Show at Chelsea Piers, 1997
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Sprinter Michael Johnson in Nike sports apparel and sneakers poses on stage, with Nike vice president of marketing during a fashion show at Chelsea Piers in New York on March 27, 1997.
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Nike Sports Apparel and Sneaker Collection Fashion Show at Chelsea Piers, 1997
Image Credit: Fairchild Publishing Models pose on stage in sports apparel from Nike during a fashion show at Chelsea Piers in New York on March 27, 1997.
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1992 Summer Olympics
Image Credit: AP Images Michael Jordan, right , a member of the US Olympic basketball team and Sergej Bubka, a member of the CIS track and field team are all smiles during a news conference for Nike in Barcelona Saturday, July 25, 1992.
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John McEnroe, 1985
Image Credit: Mega McEnroe after a match in 1985.
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“Charlie’s Angels,” 2000
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection Cameron Diaz in “Charlie’s Angels.”
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Young hip-hop star ‘Lil Bow Wow runs down the NBA
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES: Young hip-hop star ‘Lil Bow Wow runs down the NBA All Star Game court while crews shoot film footage for his new movie “Like Mike” during the Slam Dunk competition, 09 February 2002, in the First Union Center, in Philadelphia, PA as part of the the All Star Game weekend. AFP PHOTO/ Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Tiger Woods, 2004
Image Credit: AP Images Tiger Woods watches the ball after an iron shot in a round two match at the Accenture Match Play Championship World Golf Championships held at the La Costa Resort and Spa on February 27, 2004 in Carlsbad, California.
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Maria Mutola, 2004
Image Credit: AP Images Maria Mutola (MOZ) during a news conference prior to the 30th Prefontaine Classic, Friday, June 18, 2004, in Eugene, Ore.
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Serena Williams, 2004
Image Credit: AP Images Serena Williams models new custom apparel from Nike that features the latest in cooling technologies only days before the start of the US Open, Friday, Aug. 27, 2004, in New York.
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Michelle Wie, 2005
Image Credit: AP Images Golfer Michelle Wie, 15, at a news conference announcing that she is turning professional Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005 in Honolulu.
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Ronaldinho, 2005
Image Credit: AP Images In this image released by NIKE on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005, Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho holds one of his new signature soccer shoes. Ronaldinho will wear real gold in his soccer boots in Barcelona’s game against Real Zaragoza on Saturday. Nike has developed a special gold and white version of the shoes Ronaldinho normally wears. It will feature real 24-carat gold applied to the Nike logo.
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Ronaldo, 2006
Image Credit: AP Images Brazilian soccer superstar Ronaldo presents together with German Soccer Association’s (DFB) team manager Oliver Bierhoff (R) his new shoe for the FIFA World Cup 2006 in the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday 10 January 2006.
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Maria Sharapova, 2006
Image Credit: AP Images Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova poses in Miami Wednesday March 22, 2006, as she shows off the new custom Nike apparel she will debut in at the NASDAQ 100 Open later this week.
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Kobe Bryant, 2008
Image Credit: AP Images Nike Inc. President and CEO, Mark Parker shakes Kobe Bryant’s hand after receiving a Hyperdunk shoe during a news conference Monday, April 7, 2008, in Beaverton, Ore. Parker and Kobe introduced the Nike Hyperdunk to the media at Nike’s world headquarters.
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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, 2008
Image Credit: AP Images Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the “Grapple in the Apple” event presented by Nike held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, August 2008.
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Kobe Bryant, 2007
Image Credit: AP Images Kobe Bryant during a visit to the Philippines as part of the popular sports apparel Nike’s “Supernatural Asia Tour 2007” in September 2007.
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North Carolina women’s basketball team, 2007
Image Credit: AP Images Members of the North Carolina team, from left, Meghan Austin, Jessica Breland, Heather Claytor and Iman McFarland take their loss to Tennessee hard after losing 56-50 in the women’s semifinal basketball game at the Final Four Sunday, April 1, 2007, in Cleveland. Tennessee defeated North Carolina 56-50 and will take on Rutgers in the championship game on Tuesday.
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Game. Set. NYC, 2009
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal attend Game. Set. NYC.
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Game. Set. NYC, 2009
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Serena Williams at the 2009 Game. Set. NYC.
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Nike Ad, 2015
Image Credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection Rafael Nadal, Madison Keys, Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer,Genie Bouchard, Pete Sampras in attendance for 20th Anniversary Of Iconic Nike Street Tennis Ad, Washington Street, West Village, New York, NY August 24, 2015.
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Kanye West, 2008
Image Credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File Kanye West performs at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2008 in a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes, which were later acquired for $1.8 million by social investing platform Rares.
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The Jonas Brothers, 2009
Image Credit: Eric McCandless / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection JONAS L.A. (aka Jonas, Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, (Season 2), 2009-2010.
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Gossip Girl, 2010
Image Credit: Giovanni Rufino / © The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection GOSSIP GIRL, (from left): Katie Cassidy, Chance Crawford, ‘Goodbye Columbia’, (Season 4, ep. 405, aired Oct. 11, 2010).
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Mick Jagger, 2011
Image Credit: WWD/Fairchild Publishing Mick Jagger at the L’Wren Scott Spring 2012 ready-to-wear show in 2011.
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Zayn Malik, 2013
Image Credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection Zayn Malik on stage for NBC Today Show Concert with One Direction, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY August 23, 2013.
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Zayn Malik, 2012
Image Credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection Zayn Malik at talk show appearance for NBC Today Show Concert with One Direction, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY March 12, 2012.
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Dwayne Johnson, 2013
Image Credit: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie in “Pain & Gain,” 2013.
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Serena Williams, 2016
Image Credit: Ben King /© EPIX /Courtesy Everett Collection Serena Williams during the filming of “Serena.”
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Trainwreck, 2015
Image Credit: Mary Cybulski/©Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collectio LeBron James and director Judd Apatow on the set of “Trainwreck.”
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Michael B. Jordan in Creed, 2015
Image Credit: Barry Wetcher/©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in “Creed.”
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“Atlanta,” 2016
Image Credit: Guy D'Alema/©FX/courtesy Everett Collection Brian Tyree Henry and Donald Glover in “Atlanta.”
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Blackkklansman, 2018
Image Credit: David Lee /© Focus Features /Courtesy Everett Collection Director Spike Lee and John David Washington on the set of “Blackkklansman.”
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Virgil Abloh and Serena Williams, 2019
Image Credit: Courtesy of Nike/MEGA Abloh and Williams teamed up in 2019 on the tennis star’s Nike collaboration.
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Billie Eilish, 2022
Image Credit: Courtesy of Nike/MEGA The star reimagined the Nike Air Force 1 using recycled material. “The challenge and opportunity with this collection was to respect the originals, but make them my own,” says Eilish. “It was also important for me to mix in environmentally preferred materials where we could and present them in a way that felt fresh.”
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Billie Eilish, 2022
Image Credit: Courtesy of Nike/MEGA For the AF1, Eilish chose a synthetic nubuck material, which uses 80% recycled materials.
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J Balvin, 2020
Image Credit: Orli Arias/Courtesy Photo J Balvin in the Air Jordan I x J Balvin sneakers
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‘Ted Lasso,’ 2020
Image Credit: Courtesy of AppleTV+ A still of Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in AppleTV+ “Ted Lasso.”
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HUSTLE_UNIT_060_06765
Image Credit: Scott Yamano/Netflix HUSTLE. (L-R) Jordan Hull as Alex Sugerman, Queen Latifah as Teresa Sugerman, Juancho Hernangomez as Bo Cruz and Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman in Hustle. Cr. Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2022.
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‘Air,’ 2023
Image Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video/Ana Carballosa Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in “Air,” which told the story of how Nike landed a deal of a lifetime by signing Michael Jordan.
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Caitlin Clark, 2025
Image Credit: Getty Images Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever wore a pair of custom Nike Kobe sneakers while playing against the Chicago Sky during the Fever’s home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Kim Kardashian, 2025
Image Credit: Courtesy of Nike In February 2025, Nike revealed that it was partnering with Skims, the intimates and loungewear company cofounded by Kim Kardashian, to create a new brand targeted to women called NikeSkims.
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‘Forever,’ 2025
Image Credit: Elizabeth Morris/Netflix In Netflix’s “Forever, Lovie Simone plays Keisha Clark and Michael Cooper Jr. stars as Justin Edwards. The show’s costume designer Tanja Caldwell told FN that their shared love for sneakers and Nike was a central element of their love story.