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 Continues Wholesale Push, But Will It Be Enough to Fix Its Flailing Stock Price?
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Athletic Brands Jockey for Position in Wake of World Cup Fever
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Nike Slapped With Class Action Over Customer Data Breach
A plaintiff claimed that the brand failed to secure and safeguard consumers' personally identifiable…
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Jordan Brand Celebrates UCLA Women’s Basketball March Madness Championship Win
Russell Westbrook narrated a video about the team's success.
Nike’s Futuristic Foamposite Is Coming Back in a Familiar Colorway for the First Time After 14 Years
The sneaker's Phoenix Suns-inspired style gets its first-ever reissue.
Palace Delivers Its Biggest Nike Collab Yet With a Shiny Silver Gradient Air Max 95
Two chances to purchase will come in the next two weeks.
Nike’s Remastered Air Max 95 Big Bubble Is Getting a New Pink Colorway This Spring
After a quick sell out of Air Max Day's "Pink Foam" restock.
Nike’s Classic Air Max Just Got a New Pink Denim Style and It’s Available Now in Time for Spring
The Air Max 90 gets draped in denim.
Nike Celebrates the WNBA’s 30th Anniversary With an Assortment of Sneakers Including the Air Force 1
The Dunk Low and Sabrina 3 are also included.
Kobe Bryant’s Fourth Nike Sneaker Gets a Massive Collection Calling Out All the Teams That Didn’t Draft Him
Plus, a sneaker for the Hornets, who decided to trade Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Denim Sneakers Are Hardly New — but They’re Suddenly Everywhere
Levi's is collaborating with Nike more often, and in-line denim sneakers are popping up across the board.
Nike’s Classic Air Force 1 Is the Latest Sneaker to Get a Cow Print Pony Hair Update
The new style arrives at retail this summer.
A Tom Sachs Nike Sneaker That’s Been Awaited for Years Is Finally Being Released
The "Bricolage" colorway of the General Purpose shoe surfaced in 2022.
As Converse Continues to Struggle, Nike CEO Elliott Hill Shrugs Off Sale Speculation
The CEO said on Tuesday that the brand will "remain an important part of the Nike, Inc. family."