Did You Know These Facts About Nike? (20 Amazing Facts). Are you a passionate athlete or a casual fan of sports? Do you have a favorite sports team or athlete?
Did You Know These Facts About Nike
No matter your level of interest, you’ve likely heard of the company Nike. The swoosh and “Just Do It” slogan are among the most recognizable in the world. But how much do you really know about this popular sportswear brand? We here at foot mood shoe have compiled 20 surprising facts about Nike so read on and learn more about it.
1. The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports
Nike started out as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. The two were University of Oregon track coaches and they decided to start their own venture to sell sports shoes manufactured by Japan’s Onitsuka Tiger. In 1971, the company was renamed Nike after the Greek goddess of victory.
2. Philip Knight didn’t come up with the swoosh logo
The iconic Nike swoosh logo was designed in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, who was a graphic design student at Portland State University. Phil Knight found Davidson’s work impressive and decided to award her with 500 USD for creating the logo.
3. Nike has more than 700 stores worldwide
Nike’s retail stores are spread in more than 30 countries all over the world, with more than 700 stores worldwide. The company is also present in more than 10,000 independent retailers and it online store allows customers to purchase from anywhere in the world.
4. The company employs more than 76,000 people
Nike is a global company employing more than 76,000 people across the world. A majority of its employees are stationed in the United States, China, and Vietnam and look to bring innovation and passion into the company’s products.
5. Nike’s first endorser was Ilie Nastase
In 1972, Nike signed on World No.1 tennis player Ilie Nastase as its first endorser. The deal was a successful move as it elevated the brand’s profile among the sports superstars of the time and is considered one of the first steps to becoming the global brand it is today.
6. Nike’s success was due to celebrity culture
Nike’s rising success in the 1980’s and 1990’s was mainly due to its use of celebrity endorsements. The company has endorsed numerous talent, ranging from basketball superstars Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, to tennis player Roger Federer, to golfer Tiger Woods.
7. ‘Just Do It’ is one of the most recognizable taglines in history
The slogan “Just Do It” is now among the most recognizable taglines in the world. It was first coined in 1988 by advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy and was used to promote various Nike products. It was even voted the 11th best advertising slogan of all time by Advertising Age magazine in 2011.
8. Nike was the first company to mass-produce shoes with air cushioning technology
Nike has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to shoes as it was the first to incorporate air cushioning technology on its products. The technology allowed athletes to perform better by providing comfort and increased cushioning.
Did You Know These Facts About Nike
It first started out with the Air Jordan shoes in 1985 and it’s still present in Nike’s current footwear range.
9. Nike’s first self-lacing shoes were released in 2016
Nike’s first self-lacing shoes were released in 2016 with the launch of its HyperAdapt 1.0 range. The shoes became an instant hit and were quickly sold out due to its innovative technology. The company has also launched other models of self-lacing shoes since then and the technology is also featured in some of their basketball shoes.
10. Nike has released several special edition shoes
Nike is no stranger to releasing special edition shoes for its athletes and celebrities. For example, its Jordan brand featured various shoes to commemorate former NBA player Michael Jordan’s accomplishments. The company has also released special shoes for the likes of golf star Tiger Woods, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers.
11. The company has built several Olympic stadiums
Nike is a major sponsor of the Olympic Games and has built several stadiums for various games. The company built the Stade de France stadium for the 1998 World Cup and the Olympic Stadium in Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games. It also built the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii for the 1989 International Special Olympics.
Did You Know These Facts About Nike
It has also gained recognition for its inspiring campaigns like “Better for It” and its ‘Be True To Your Street’ ad. Nike’s breach of controversies has not deterred its mission to provide athletic wear for the world.
12. Nike shed light on female athletes in ‘Better for It’ campaign
Nike’s “Better for It” campaign released in 2015 was designed to inspire female athletes around the world. It featured several female athletes in the campaign and showcased their stories to motivate other women to take up an active lifestyle.
13. Nike created special football boots for the 2019 Women’s World Cup
In 2019, Nike released special football boots for the Women’s World Cup, as part of its campaign to show its support for female athletes. The boots featured unique designs and were created by female fashion designers as a gesture of appreciation and recognition.
14. Nike was the official sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Nike was the official sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia. The company made sure that all teams participating in the tournament were dressed in its official kit and the players wore special Nike shoes.
15. Nike had a dispute with rappers over its ‘Be True To Your Street’ campaign
In 2000, Nike released its “Be True To Your Street” ad campaign, which started a dispute with several rappers such as Jay Z.
The artists argued that the company was using their words and styles without providing them any compensation. Although the situation was eventually resolved, the dispute cast a negative light on the company.
16. Nike was accused of using child labor in the 1990’s
In the 1990’s, Nike was accused of using child labor in its factories in developing countries such as Pakistan, China, and India. The scandal became a national issue and caught the attention of various human rights organizations. Many campaigned to boycott Nike but the company eventually managed to improve the rights and wages of its employees.
17. Nike made the world’s first all-synthetic football shoes in 2018
Nike’s Hypervenom shoes released in 2018 were the world’s first all-synthetic football shoes. The shoes were designed to improve the performance of footballers by providing them with lightness, precision, and agility. They also featured an upper made of recycled plastic bottles.
18. Nike created a special shoe for the 2020 Olympics
In 2020, Nike released the ZoomX Vaporfly, a special shoe designed to help athletes set world records at the Tokyo Olympics. The shoe was created using new ZoomX foam technology that improved cushioning and provided athletes with a stronger response and energy return.
19. Nike’s online store was launched in 1999
Nike launched its online store in 1999 to give customers access to its range of sneakers and clothing no matter where they were. Since then, the company’s e-commerce venture has become one of the most successful store of its kind and is a major source of revenue for the company.
20. Nike was named ‘Marketer Of the Year’ in 2018
In 2018, Nike was named “Marketer Of the Year” by advertising and media agency Adweek, for its innovative marketing strategy. The company was honored for its use of digital marketing campaigns, clever product launches, and empowering messages to promote its products.
Did You Know These Facts About Nike
Nike is one of the most successful sportswear companies in the world. From signing on its first endorser to becoming the official sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nike has come a long way. The company has managed to create innovative products like self-lacing shoes and special football boots for the Women’s World Cup.
FAQs
What was the original name of Nike?
The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964.
Who was the first endorser of Nike?
Nike’s first endorser was professional tennis player Ilie Nastase in 1972.
How many retail stores does Nike have worldwide?
Nike has more than 700 stores worldwide.
How many people does Nike employ globally?
Nike employs more than 76,000 people worldwide.
Who designed Nike’s iconic swoosh logo?
The swoosh logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson, who was a graphic design student at Portland State University in 1971.
When did Nike launch its ‘Just Do It’ slogan?
The slogan ‘Just Do It’ was first coined by advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy in 1988.
What was the campaign launched by Nike to inspire female athletes?
Nike’s “Better for It” campaign released in 2015 was designed to inspire female athletes around the world.
