Oregon's Hayward Field was transitioning to an artificial surface, and Bowerman wanted a sole which could grip to grass or bark dust without the use of spikes. In 1971, Bowerman used his wife's waffle iron to experiment on rubber to create a new sole for track shoes that would grip but be lightweight and increase the runner's speed. In 1967, due to increasing sales, BRS expanded retail and distribution operations on the East Coast, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In 1966, BRS opened its first retail store at 3107 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. In its first year in business, BRS sold 1,300 pairs of Japanese running shoes grossing $8,000. But I saw Bowerman made them from the waffle iron, and they were mine'.

There was no support and they were too tight.

In fact, I didn't like the way they felt on my feet. Bill Bowerman made the first pair of shoes for me. I don't care what all the billionaires say. According to Davis, 'I told Tom Brokaw that I was the first. Īccording to Otis Davis, a University of Oregon student-athlete coached by Bowerman and Olympic gold medalist at the 1960 Summer Olympics, his coach made the first pair of Nike shoes for him, contradicting a claim that they were made for Phil Knight.

The company initially operated in Eugene, Oregon as a distributor for Japanese shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger, making most sales at track meets out of Knight's automobile. Nike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), was founded by University of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman, on January 25, 1964. See also: Nike timeline Bill Bowerman (left) conversing with Phil Knight (second from left) and two other members of the Oregon track team, 1958 Nike Factory Store in Wisconsin Nike Kicks Lounge in Harbour City, Hong Kong Nike ranked 89th in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue. Previously, in 2017, the Nike brand was valued at $29.6 billion. In 2020, the brand alone was valued in excess of $32 billion, making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses. Nike sponsors many high-profile athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized trademarks of ' Just Do It' and the Swoosh logo.Īs of 2020, it employed 76,700 people worldwide. In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates retail stores under the Niketown name. Nike also owned Bauer Hockey from 1995 to 2008, and previously owned Cole Haan, Umbro, and Hurley International. Nike markets its products under its own brand, as well as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Blazers, Air Force 1, Nike Dunk, Air Max, Foamposite, Nike Skateboarding, Nike CR7, and subsidiaries including Air Jordan and Converse (brand).

The company takes its name from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The company was founded on January 25, 1964, as 'Blue Ribbon Sports', by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$46 billion in its fiscal year 2022. (stylized as NIKE) is an American athletic footwear and apparel corporation headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, United States.

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