Nike

Nike, Inc. is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, and a major manufacturer of sports equipment. Founded on January 25, 1964, as Blue Ribbon Sports by University of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman, the company originally imported Japanese running shoes from Onitsuka Tiger. In 1971, after growing to about 20 employees and $300,000 in annual revenue, BRS began designing its own shoes and rebranded as Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The iconic Swoosh logo was created by Portland State University student Carolyn Davidson for just $35; she later received a diamond ring and company shares in 1983.

Nike went public in 1980 and by that year had become the world's top sportswear company. Key milestones include the 1984 signing of Michael Jordan, which launched the Air Jordan line, the 1988 "Just Do It" campaign, the 1990 opening of the first Niketown store in Portland, and the 2003 acquisition of Converse for $309 million. The company operates through three main segments: footwear (largest, ~$29 billion in FY2025 revenue), apparel, and equipment. Notable products include the Air Jordan 1 (1985), Air Max 1 (1987), Flyknit Racer (2012), and Vaporfly carbon-plated marathon shoe (2017). Sub-brands include Jordan Brand, Converse, Nike ACG, Nike SB, and NikeLab.

Nike's brand identity centers on the Swoosh and the "Just Do It" tagline. The company's mission is "to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world." Its marketing strategy focuses on athlete endorsements, cultural influence, and innovation-driven storytelling. Nike has shaped global sports culture for over 60 years through partnerships with athletes like LeBron James, Serena Williams, and teams worldwide. The company has faced controversies over sweatshop labor in Asian factories and ended its relationship with NBA star Kyrie Irving in 2022 after an antisemitic post. As of 2025, Nike employs over 79,400 people globally, operates more than 1,034 retail stores, and contracts with over 700 factories primarily in Asia. [edit]