Nike
Nike was founded on January 25, 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, under the name “Blue Ribbon Sports.” Bowerman, a track coach, and Knight, a track athlete, sold their proprietary waffle-iron fashioned rubber-sole running shoes out of Knight’s car during track meets at Hayward Field. The company officially became Nike, Inc. in 1971, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The company's headquarters, located in Beaverton, Oregon, pay homage to the company starting in Oregonian cities like Eugene and Springfield.
Nike’s history as a sports shoe company has been punctuated by several popular shoes with significance expanded to popular culture. The Nike Cortez shoe was released in 1972 during the Mexico Olympics and has since been released in several colorways and regained popularity when featured in the film “Forest Gump.” In 1982, the Air Force 1 was released as the first basketball shoe to feature air in the sole. Air Force 1s continue to be one of the most popular Nike shoes today. In 1984, the Air Jordan 1 was produced exclusively for Michael Jordan. The shoe’s logo, a silhouette of Michael Jordan, known as the “Jumpman” logo is synonymous with the shoe. The first Nike Air Max was released. In 1987 and featured a visible air pocket. There have been many other Nike shoe releases over the years, but the three mentioned have had a sustaining place in pop culture to this day.
Nike’s advertising and sponsorship have also been a cultural touchstone since the company’s inception. From partnering with and sponsoring Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Serena Williams and more to advertising campaigns, logos, and slogans like “Just Do It,” Nike has cemented their place as one of the most famous companies worldwide.
Nike
Nike Slam-Dunks Q1 Earnings Estimates
Nike, Inc. (NKE) reported financial results Thursday for its first fiscal quarter ended Aug. 31 that smashed…
Stocks Rally As Nike Wins, Finish Line Lags
Nike wins the race with its earnings, while Finish Line lags and stocks stage a rally.
Nike and Walmart Pledge to Use 100% Renewable Energy
Nike and Walmart, two of the world's largest retailers, have pledged to source 100 percent of their…
Nike’s Stock Jumps With Sales, Profit Gains
The athletic company drove profits up 22.6 percent to $1.18 billion in the first quarter.
Analysts’ Take on Nike’s Two Cents
Two notable analyst firms expect Nike to beat EPS consensus estimates by the same amount, but how they arrive…
Renewed Fears Over China’s Economy Slams Stocks
Worries that China's economic slowdown is deepening caused stocks to tumble, while the Johnson Redbook retail…
Adidas, Gildan and H&M Make Dow Jones Sustainability Indices List
Adidas, Gildan and H&M are among the best-in-class apparel companies when it comes to sustainability—the…
Nike Experiences Exponential Growth on Instagram
Nike is leaving other footwear brands in the dust not only in sales, but also in gaining new Instagram…
Report: Sport Footwear Sales Slowed by Sluggish Running Category
July 2015 was the hottest month globally on record, but consumers didn’t take refuge from the heat by shoe…
Maria Sharapova to Launch Celebrity Tennis Event in Los Angeles
Porsche has signed on as the presenting sponsor.
Nike Opens Women’s Fitness Studio in Mexico City
Nike is working with a community of female athletes in Mexico to empower women to become stronger and fit…
Brooks-sponsored Runner Nick Symmonds Nixes Nike; Aims to Speak at SxSW
Brooks-sponsored runner Nick Symmonds walks away from world championships but hopes to talk marketing at next…
Kids Foot Locker Taps NFL Star “Gronk” for Back-to-School Campaign
New England Patriot’s tight end Rob Gronkowski stars in Kids Foot Locker’s new television spot for the…
Outdoor Footwear Sales Increased 17% Last Year
Outdoor footwear brands are doing something right. The NPD Group reported that outdoor footwear dollar sales…
Adidas Makes $200M Offer to Houston Rockets’ James Harden
Adidas invites James Harden to join its roster.