Nike

Nike originally named Blue Ribbon Sports was founded by University of Oregon track runner Philip Knight and coach Bill Bowerman on January 25th, 1964. Both Philip and Bill would distribute athletic products for Onitsuka Tiger by selling the products from the back of there automobile. By 1971 the relationship between Onitsuka Tiger, and Blue Ribbon Sports began to change as Blue Ribbon Sports was preparing to launch there own line of footwear. Carolyn Davidson worked diligently designing and creating the well-known Swoosh, registered and patented in 1975 the well known symbol of Nike became official , profits began to quadruple. Nike was beginning to become a household name. Children to adults everyone had to have a pair of Nike athletic shoes or apparel and Colleges and Universities were purchasing Nike sports equipment. Wieden and Kennedy created the first commercial ads which aired in 1982 during the New York Marathon and the words "Just Do It," were coined.

Today Nike continues its success sponsoring Colleges and Universities including most recently the University of Florida, to High profile Basketball players such as LeBron James, Jason Richardson to Utah Jazz Mehmet Okur. New York Yankees Derek Jeter, Philadelphia Phillies Jimmy Rollins to Chicago White Sox A.J. Pierzynski. From Pro Golf , Cycling, and Boxing to sponsoring National teams, Nike sets the pace for other sports manufacturers spanning the globe in athletic shoes, apparel and sports equipment. With over 30,000 employees worldwide Nike continues to " Just Do it." The three words that everyone worldwide recognizes as Nike a household name.