By weaving together these interesting facts about Nike, we get a better understanding of how it has become one of the largest and most successful brands in the world. In 1983, Paul Knight sent her a golden Swoosh diamond ring, with an undisclosed amount of Nike stock as thanks. EARLY NIKE PROTOTYPES WERE MADE FROM FISH AND KANGAROO. Nike is a household name synonymous with sports and athletic apparel. Nike - Statistics & Facts | Statista Foot Locker made the decision to stop stocking Nikes more expensive ranges in 2003. Image by KimChi,Dr. Interestingly, Nike started small as a humble distributor of Japanese shoes called Blue Ribbon Sports, which Interesting Facts About Nike reveal. Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase endorsed Nike in 1972 after signing a contract with the company. Before the recent news of the model's return in its complete high-top glory, there was a spate of low-cut releases in the late 2010s, making for an arguably easier to wear silhouette. This inspired Nikes first shoe, the Waffle Trainer in 1974. Foot Locker focuses on selling more affordable Nike products and other brands that were more popular among their customers at the time. It seems that Nike was almost named Dimension Six. Nike even used the term Dimension 6 in marketing campaigns and events. History of Nike: Facts About Its 50th Anniversary - Business Insider We're the leading sports brand in the world because we keep athletes at the center of everything we do. The hope of this groundbreaking move was to create even more personalized and stylish experiences in footwear.Nikes Futuristic Approach:3D Printed Custom Shoes in 2020. 42 Fun Facts about Nike | Fact City Before being shot to death by a firing squad in Utah in 1977, convicted murderer Gary Gilmore's last words were, Lets do it. A decade later, Nike ad agency executive Dan Wiedenrecalled this storywhile trying to think of a slogan for a new campaign. 11. 24 Interesting Facts About Nike (Just Know It). Nike does have its own travelling brand ambassadors. Nike was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. The first shoes of the Nike company were made in a waffle iron in order to create the grooved pattern which helps athletes grip running tracks. Bowerman (above) was a University of Oregon track coach in the 1950s who disliked the design of track shoes. As an attribute of both Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and the chief god, Zeus, Nike was represented in art as a small figure carried in the hand by those divinities. It's time to hit the great outdoors! Many of the names of Nikes products have been taken from a sports team. Some of these materials are reused to make new Nike clothes. It's thought to derive from the Greek legend of the same name, depicted as the personification of victory. Nike designs its products in-house and then contracts with these factories to manufacture them. Jordan was rookie of the year, scored 28.2 ppg, named all star, and Nike sold $100 mill of shoes in 1984-85. This solution is called Nike Grind. [Hero Image Credit: Nike] The Peter Moore designed by Air Jordan I. 30 Interesting Facts about Nike that will Surely Amaze you Nike sneakers around the world. Nike denied being involved in the creation, design, or sale of the Satan Shoes. Others are used as construction and building materials, like the running tracks at Brillia Running Stadium in Tokyo. The company was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight and has since become one of the worlds most recognizable brands. Michael Jordan to Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the biggest names in sports, sponsored by the brand. Guess What Nike has even collaborated with NASA on special projects. Bowerman poured urethane into his familys waffle maker but forgot the non-stick spray and glued it shut. These two commercials are examples of excellence in the field of advertising which Nike is known for. Sometimes they kill for them. Source, 6. You guys might want to read your sources a little bit better. In 1971, Nike officially changed its name. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nike-Inc, American Studies at the University of Virginia - Nike History and Timeline. The Nike Swoosh originated in 1971 when the co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight, commissioned a graphic design student named Carolyn Davidson to create a logo for their new company. 1. The gender and racial parity agenda has a timeline of up to 2025. The headquarters are based in Washington County, Oregon, USA. He tried kangaroo leather, velvet, deer hide, and fish skin in early prototypes, using student track athlete Phil Knight as a guinea pig. 35 Cool Facts about Nike. Finding Great Bargains On Womens Clothing. The first sneaker to be sold with the logo and company name was a football cleat in 1971. To do this, they remix and repurpose mill end fabric to create usable material in production, as well as recycle and upcycle materials from post-consumer shoes. And thanks to its quality, variety, and superior design, Nike continues to be the go-to brand for many people. Nike products are made in factories that arent actually owned by the company itself. 5 Facts about Nike - TFE Times This ergonomic decision actually dates back to the mid 2000s, when the model (known as the Air Max CB '94 Low, by . The Slogan Just Do It Debuted in 1988. It wasnt until the players parents convinced him to follow Falks advice that he flew to the companys headquarters in Oregon to finalize a deal in 1984. Starting out as a small sportswear company, Nike has come a long way. THEIR EARLY ADS WEREN'T FOR EVERYBODY. Learn more about this corporate giant with these 50 facts about Nike. In 2016, Nike revolutionized the athletic shoe landscape with the historic debut of its first self-lacing shoe, the HyperAdapt 1.0. It is correctly pronounced ny-kee and the name comes from the Greek goddess of victory. Nike was founded in 1964 in Portland, Oregon as Blue Ribbon Sports. Nike was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. 80 Facts About Nike - Samford University History was made, and everyone knew about it. The Reuse-a-Shoe program collects old shoes for recycling. - Source 2. Sergei Bubka repeatedly and deliberately broke the world pole vault record by the smallest possible height so he could cash in on a Nike bonus with each new record. He was the first athlete to promote Nike. Zoom Air, one of Nikes most popular shoes, was introduced to the market in 1995 but was first given the name Tensile Air. 1-5 Nike Facts Image credit: en.wikipedia.org 1. Top 5 Facts about Nike Dunk sisterhood that you never knew before. Charlie Hunnam Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Actor The largest Nike store is situated on Oxford Street in London and is a grand total of 42,000 square feet. It was started by a man named Bill Bowerman, who was a university track-and-field coach. 4. The first ad was Move in 2002, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial. In 1999, Nike broke the mold and became the first brand to fully embrace online shopping. The Star Has Dyslexia and a Serious Fear of Germs. This is how Nikes Reuse-A-Shoe program was born. Nike, Inc. [note 1] is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. For much of his college and early professional career, Michael Jordan favored Adidas sneakers. The company has stayed ahead of the competition and maintained its position as a leading sportswear brand due to its commitment to innovation. Source, 16. Less than a year later, he accepted a $90 million offer from Nike. The campus consists of over 10 buildings, which make up nearly 3 million square feet for engineering, research, and innovation. Nike runs stores in more than 160 countries around the world and has over 70.000. Nike was pleased with the end result. 5 Facts about Nike Posted on September 16, 2017 by TFE Times Articles Culture 5 about facts Nike 1 of 5 The Nike company got their name from the Greek goddess of victory. In 1978, Nike created a new advert for their Air Max shoes, and for the first time ever, a Beatles song was used in a commercial. The idea stuck, however, and Nikes Waffle Trainer became a hit in 1974. Five Fun Facts About the Fearless Nike Air Mowabb Often made by tire companies, sneakers were clunky,cumbersome, and prone to making feet bleed after long runs. Nike is one of the world's most popular retailers of athletic clothing and footwear, but there are many things about the company which the average person doesn't know. Part of Nikes success is owed to endorsements by such athletes as Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Roger Federer, and Tiger Woods. One of the worlds largest and most successful manufacturers of athletic footwear and apparel is Nike. That is correct. Nike was not the first choice of the founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Early Nike employees characterized the office atmosphere as being like a fraternity, with the mostly male staff inclined to call one another buttfaces and partake in tequila fountains. Nike and the running community suffered greatly when Prefontaine tragically passed away at the age of 24 in a car accident. Casey Neistat was commissioned by Nike to make a commercial with the theme Make it Count. Footwear for Nike is manufactured mainly in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, but many of the shoes have also been made in the USA. While Knight didnt love it, Blue Ribbon eventually settled on the logo and paid Davidson the agreed-upon fee of $35 for the work. By the early 21st century, Nike had retail outlets and distributors in more than 170 countries, and its logoa curved check mark called the swooshwas recognized throughout the world. 14 Things You Might Not Know About Nike | Mental Floss Nike had never produced a golf club or golf ball until they signed Tiger Woods in 1995. Based in Beaverton, Oregon, NIKE, Inc. includes the Nike, Converse, and Jordan brands. After NBA superstar Kobe Bryants retirement game, teammate Nick Young asked him to sign Youngs Adidas shoes. Kobe instead threw Youngs shoes in the trash shoes because he is signed to Nike. 4 Minutes Read Updated: February 9, 2023 Did you know that before 1971, Nike was actually called Blue Ribbon Sports? KickassFacts - Fact Encyclopedia. Nastase was one of the earliest sports stars to sign an endorsement deal with Nike. Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) was founded in 1964 by two guys who wanted to revolutionize . Nikes decision to sign a deal with Michael Jordan in 1996 is widely lauded as one of the greatest athlete endorsements in history. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 1. Nike aired a commercial featuring Kenyan tribesmen in 1989 to promote their hiking shoes. 20 Mind-Blowing Nike Facts That You Probably Didn't Know - Factvrse The company invests heavily in research and development, introducing numerous groundbreaking technologies over the years. With a jaw-dropping value of over $150 billion, Nike is the crme de la crme of sports companies worldwide. Interesting Article: Sports a Tool for Peace. Throughout its existe. 23. When Knight felt Blue Ribbon needed a stronger brand identity, he reached out to a student at Portland State University, where he had been teaching accounting. Interested to learn more about Nike? The most visible was hosting Dimension 6 at Comic-Con. Former athletes or individuals with a strong passion for sports and fitness are targeted for this position. 5. In 1996, Nike Signed a Deal with Michael Jordan which is Widely Considered to be the Most Successful Athlete Endorsement of All Time. As of 2020, Nike was the Worlds Largest Supplier of Athletic footwear and Apparel. The intention was to motivate individuals to take action in their communities and advance equality for all. 16. When the shoes started to appear on land all over the world, they helped oceanographers map the currents of the Pacific Ocean. Instead, contractors own the factories and Nike pays them to produce the goods. Five Facts You Need To Know About the Nike Air Trainer 1 and over 1Mio. 1-5 Interesting Facts About Shoe 1. Nike was one of the first major brands to introduce sustainability into its business model which is one of the cool facts about Nike, launching initiatives such as waterless dyeing techniques and using more sustainable materials for its products, through better energy efficiency practices and renewable energy projects. The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "Nike" and take you straight to the corresponding statistics. Bam Margera, while sponsored by Nike, hated wearing the shoes to skate so much, that he used other shoes and cut out a Nike symbol to paste over them so he could skateboard properly. Whether you already possess a pair or plan to buy in future, here are some interesting facts about the brand that is a family of technologically advanced, aesthetically designed, comfortable and high-performance shoes. 5 Facts about Nike - Page 2 - TFE Times Apparells for Basketballs unique demands are catered for by Nike Basketball. For the company, the Agents are an important part of Nikes marketing strategy as they help to build brand awareness and loyalty among consumers. Updates? Carolyn Davidson designed the iconic swoosh logo of Nike in 1971. It was founded on January 25th, 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. A team of over 1,000 employees manage its global supply chain. The Air Max2 CB 94 is a lot of shoe to wear. from this deal, Nike to further stamped its authority as a leading player in the sportswear industry. They are just a few of the many athletes who have become emblematic of Nikes presence in the world of sports and athletics. (III) Greater China $8290M. Bill Bowerman, one of Nikes co-founders, actually poured rubber into a waffle iron to create the first pair of shoes in 1971. Nike has its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, but also has offices and manufacturing facilities in many other countries such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Brazil, among others. Source. Nike released a pair of shoes to commemorate St Patricks Day and named them Black and Tans. It was first featured in a TV commercial in 1988. Interesting facts about Nike. In 1971, the Name Nike was Adopted after the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike. You might not believe that the famous Nike swoosh logo only cost the company $200 when adjusted for inflation. Unknowing to Nike the Black and Tans were a British paramilitary group that terrorized the Irish, Killing and injuring hundreds of people in Ireland during the 1920s. The NikeTown chain stores, the first of which opened in 1990, pay tribute to these and other company spokespersons while offering consumers a full range of Nike products. The companys initial mission was to provide quality running shoes at more affordable prices than what were being offered by its competitors. When the Nike Swoosh logo was created in 1971, the designer billed $35 for it. We hope you enjoy our articles while reading them. For instance, the Just Do It campaign. Davidson did design work for Nike for 4 years after that, and then she worked from home as a graphic designer for 30 years. Nike was founded on January 25, 1964, as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. (II) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa $11,456M. This fund supports grassroots organizations that promote physical activity and sports for young people. Nikes design and technology in athletic shoe and apparel is industry-leading. U.S. Customs almost destroyed Nike in the 1970s by issuing them a retroactive $25 million bill on imported shoes. Chumbawamba turned down a $1.5 million offer from Nike (reportedly in 30 seconds) to use their signature song Tubthumping in a FIFA World Cup commercial. They became one of the largest suppliers and leading innovators in the sporting goods retail industry. Jan 24, 2014. Take a look at some facts behind the Swoosh. Nikes dominance across global sports spectrums is evident through the endorsements of popular soccer celebrities Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and basketball royalty LeBron James, which are Interesting Facts About Nike. 20 Most Successful Startups of All Times. In time, he claimed seven NCAA titles, a fourth-place Olympic finish in 1972 (5K), and American records from 2,000 meters through 10,000 meters. Nike is iconic with a history spanning several decades. Source, 11. The result was 12 pairs of the Moon Shoe. One of the largest and most well-known athletic shoe manufacturers in the world today is Nike. One of the Interesting Facts About Nike include that Nikes Headquarters is Located in Oregon, USA. (I) North America $17,179 Million. 32 Interesting Facts About Nike - KickassFacts.com The Air Jordan 1 was made famous by basketball player Michael Jordan; however, Jordan hated the colors red and black when he first saw the shoes. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of about US$40 billion in its fiscal year 2021. Conclusion for Interesting Facts About Nike : 24 Interesting Facts About Skechers This Iconic Brand, 25 Interesting Facts About New Balance (Sneakerheads Rejoice), 25 Fun Facts About Louis Vuitton That Will Intrigue You, 26 Facts About Luke Hemmings That Will Shock You, 20 Random Facts About Sirius Black That You Never Knew, 21 Fun Facts About Yawning You Didnt Know, 25 Amazing Facts About Teeth You Probably Didnt Know. 19. Working with him was Phil Knight, who used to be his student. From small beginnings to future sustainability goals, we can see that Nike continues to evolve as a company but still keeps its athletic roots at its heart. Nikes rise to fame is one of the most fascinating tales in the sports industry. The name Blue Ribbon Sports came from the fact that Knights first shoe order from Japan was actually a blue ribbon placed around the shoebox. Get the best reports to understand your industry. Many hardcore fans of the brand mispronounce the name Nike. This program encourages consumers to give their old and worn-out shoes back to Nike. Jordans first deal with Nike was in 1984, and hes since earned over $1 billion from his endorsements with Nike alone. Bowerman and Knight decided to start designing and manufacturing their own shoes instead of being just distributors. In 1998, Nike recalled 38,000 pairs of shoes and donated to Muslim communities because their shoe used an Air logo that resembled the word Allah. Source, 18. Even after his death, Prefontaine remained a significant figure in the history of Nike and the running sport. 1. Many authoritative publications, such as Forbes and Fortune Magazine, have heavily recognized this commitment to success. In 2019, Nike Launched its First Space-Themed Shoe Collection in Collaboration with NASA. Nike Football (Soccer) provides on and off-field soccer wear and equipment, including cleats, jerseys and training gear. Knight also seemed to enjoy when staff would argue over sports, encouraging raised voices.