1. Nike Inc

2. Nike Inc. • Began in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbon Sports • Founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman • Where did the “swoosh” come from?

3. Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight • Founded Blue Ribbon Sports-U.S. distributer of Onitsuka Shoes (Asics) • Purchased 300 pairs, selling them out of the trunk of his car. • Hired Jeff Johnson as the first full time employee • Came up with the name “Nike” for the company’s name

4. The Swoosh • Developed by Carolyn Davidson- a student from Portland State University • Paid $35.00 by Phil Knight • Would equal about $244.60 • Knight proclaimed “I don’t love it, but it will grow on me.” • Davidson was later given a diamond ring of the swoosh and an undisclosed amount of Nike stock.

5. Since then… • Nike is the largest sports company in the world • Phil Knight- 6th richest man in the world at $5 billion • 8th most recognized brands in the U.S. among Coca-Cola, Walt Disney, and Apple Inc. • Adidas (Nike’s main competitor) was 15th