Nike
Nike, Inc. · United States
Nike is the world's largest sportswear brand, selling athletic footwear, apparel and equipment worldwide. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, it is owned by the listed company Nike, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon, which also owns Jordan Brand and Converse.
| Founded | 1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports); Nike since 1971 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Phil Knight, Bill Bowerman |
| Owner | Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) |
| Headquarters | Beaverton, Oregon, United States |
| Chief executive | Elliott Hill (since October 2024) |
| Revenue | 46.3 billion dollars (fiscal 2025) |
| Website | nike.com |
What is Nike?
Nike designs and markets athletic footwear, apparel and equipment for sport and lifestyle use. The parent company Nike, Inc. reported revenue of 46.3 billion dollars for the fiscal year 2025, which ended in May 2025. Its brand portfolio comprises Nike, Jordan and Converse. Elliott Hill is president and chief executive (since October 2024), Mark Parker is executive chairman and co-founder Phil Knight is chairman emeritus.
History
Phil Knight, a former University of Oregon runner, and his coach Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 to distribute Onitsuka Tiger shoes from Japan. After the partnership with Onitsuka ended, the company adopted the name Nike, after the Greek goddess of victory, in 1971 and introduced the Swoosh logo. Nike went public in 1980. Its 1984 deal with rookie Michael Jordan created the Air Jordan line, which became a separate division in 1997. The company bought Converse in 2003 and over time sold Cole Haan, Bauer and Umbro.
Products and positioning
- Running, basketball, football and training footwear
- Icons such as Air Force 1, Air Max, Dunk and Blazer
- Performance and lifestyle apparel
- Equipment and accessories
Footwear accounted for roughly two thirds of sales in 2023, apparel for around a quarter.
Business model and distribution
Nike sells through wholesale partners, its own stores and its own digital channels. In 2019 it stopped selling directly on Amazon to focus on direct relationships with consumers, and North America remains its largest region.
Nike and technology
Nike has invested in data and digital capabilities through acquisitions including the consumer analytics firm Zodiac (2018), the predictive analytics company Celect (2019) and the data integration start-up Datalogue (2021). In December 2021 it acquired RTFKT, a studio for virtual sneakers and digital collectibles, and its Nike Virtual Studios team works on digital products.
Why it matters
As the largest company in sportswear, Nike shapes product trends, athlete marketing and the balance between wholesale and direct-to-consumer selling across the industry. Shifts in its channel strategy have direct consequences for retailers worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Nike?
Nike is owned by Nike, Inc., a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Co-founder Phil Knight is chairman emeritus and Elliott Hill has been chief executive since October 2024.
Where does the name Nike come from?
The company was renamed Nike in 1971 after the Greek goddess of victory. Before that it traded as Blue Ribbon Sports, a distributor of Japanese Onitsuka Tiger shoes.
