Nike was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman in Eugene, Oregon, before rebranding as Nike, Inc. in 1971.
The company generates over $51 billion in annual revenue, selling footwear, apparel, and equipment to athletes and consumers across more than 190 countries worldwide.
Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker NKE today.
About Nike
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Athletic Footwear & Apparel |
| CEO | Elliott Hill |
| Website | nike.com |
| Headquarters | Beaverton, OR, USA |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Status | Public (NYSE: NKE) |
Nike Founders
Phil Knight
Co-Founder & Former Chairman
Bill Bowerman
Co-Founder & Head Coach, University of Oregon Track
Nike History
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1964
Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman found Blue Ribbon Sports in Eugene, Oregon, initially distributing Onitsuka Tiger shoes from Japan.
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1971
The company rebrands as Nike, Inc. and introduces the Swoosh logo, designed by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for $35.
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1984
Nike signs Michael Jordan and launches the Air Jordan line, reshaping athlete endorsement strategy across the sports industry.
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1988
Nike launches its "Just Do It" campaign, one of the most recognized advertising slogans in history, accelerating global brand awareness.
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2020
Nike pivots to a direct-to-consumer model, cutting wholesale partnerships and accelerating its digital sales platform past $9 billion in annual revenue.
FAQs
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Who made the Nike logo?
The Nike Swoosh was designed in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University. Nike co-founder Phil Knight paid her $35 for the design. Davidson later received Nike stock as additional compensation. -
Who owns Nike?
Nike is publicly traded on the NYSE. Co-founder Phil Knight and the Knight family hold a significant controlling stake. Institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street as the largest outside investors. -
Is Nike an American company?
Yes. Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, USA. It was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman and is incorporated in the state of Oregon. -
When did Nike come out?
Nike was founded as Blue Ribbon Sports on January 25, 1964. It rebranded as Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange on December 2, 1980.