1 Boweman Drive |Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Contact: Richard Todd
Public Relations Specialist
(800) 806- 6453
[email protected]
BACKGROUNDER
Nike History:
In 1964, Nike was founded as Blue Ribbons Sports and initially operated as a distributor for the
Japanese shoemaker, Onitsuka Tiger. In 1971, it officially became Nike Inc. The company was
created by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. The name Nike comes from the Greek goodness of
victory Nike’s fist employee, Jeff Johnson came up with the name.
Nike’s first shoes were created inside a waffle iron. Bowerman’s idea for this unique way of
making shoes came in 1971 when him and his wife were making waffles for breakfast. This
sparked an idea for a grooved pattern on the sole of trainers to help athletes grip running tracks.
It became known as the, “Nike Waffle Trainer” which became very popular.
Nike Today
Today, Nike has grown into one of the elite sports brands in the word. Currently Nike’s largest is
not in the United States, but on London’s Oxford Street. To build the entire store, it costs 10.5
million dollars The store was built by using the theme of a town square, and the store spans three
levels which and roughly 42,000 feet. The relatively brand started with an 1000 dollar
investment and is now worth more than 10 billion dollars.
Nike’s Difference
Nike’s success has stemmed off staying synonymous with pop culture throughout the decades of
their existence. Nike’s customers have their choice of many different clothing and shoe products
such as sporting jackets, polo shirts, t-shirts, running sneakers, casual sneakers and much more.
Apparel and Accessories
Nike also has a variety of different basketball sneakers that includes the Hyperdunks which are
known for their light material to give basketball players light feet while running, the Air Visi’s
and the Prime Hypes.
(more)