Nike1

Nike, Inc. (pronounced /ˈnaɪkiː/; NYSE: NKE) is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton,Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area. It is the world's leading supplier ofathletic shoes and apparel^[3] and a major manufacturer of sports equipment with revenue in excess of US$18.6 billion in its fiscal year 2008 (ending May 31, 2008). As of 2008, it employed more than 30,000 people worldwide. Nike and Precision Castparts are the onlyFortune 500 companies headquartered in the state of Oregon, according to The Oregonian.

The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman andPhilip Knight,^[1] and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. The company takes its name from Nike (Greek Νίκη pronounced [nǐːkɛː]), the Greek goddess of victory. Nike markets its products under its own brand as well as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Skateboarding and subsidiaries including Cole Haan, Hurley International, Umbro andConverse. Nike also owned Bauer Hockey (later renamed Nike Bauer) between 1995 and 2008.^[4] In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates retail stores under the Niketown name. Nike sponsors many high profile athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized trademarks of "Just do it" and the Swoosh logo.