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Nike, Inc. (pronounced 'nye-kee') (IPA: /naɪki/) (NYSE: NKE),
headquarted in the USA near Portland, Oregon, is the world's leading
supplier of athletic shoes, apparel and sports equipment. The
company takes its name from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Nike
markets its products under its own brand as well as Nike Golf, Nike
Pro, Air Jordan, Team Starter, and subsidiaries including Bauer,
Cole Haan, Hurley International and Converse.
Origins and History
Bowerman's Waffle RacerNike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports
(BRS), was founded by University of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight
and his coach Bill Bowerman in January 1964. The company initially
operated as a distributor for Japanese shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger,
making most sales at track meets out of Knight's car. Many top
Oregon runners began wearing the shoes, and the shoe's popularity
grew quickly. The company's first self-designed product was based on
Bowerman's "waffle" design in which the sole of the shoe was
inspired by the pattern of a waffle iron.
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