1962: Philip H. Knight
founds Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) to impo rt Japanese running shoes.
1963: BRS takes its
first delivery of 200 shoes from Onitsuka Tiger Co.
1964: BRS becomes
partnership between Knight and William Bower man.
1966: The company's
first retail outlet opens.
1968: Company is
incorporated as BRS, Inc.; the Bowerman-desig ned Cortez shoe becomes a big
seller.
1971: BRS begins
manufacturing its own products overseas, thro ugh subcontractors; the Swoosh
trademark and the Nike brand are intro duced.
1972: At the U.S.
Olympic Trials, the Nike brand is promoted f or the first time; company enters
its first foreign market, Canada.
1978: Company changes
its name to Nike, Inc.
1979: First line of
clothing is launched and the Nike Air shoe cushioning device debuts.
1980: Nike goes public.
1981: Nike
International, Ltd. is created to spearhead oversea s push.
1985: Company signs
Michael Jordan to endorse a version of its Air shoe, the "Air
Jordan."
1988: Cole Haan, maker
of casual and dress shoes, is acquired; "Just Do It" slogan debuts.
1990: First Nike Town
retail outlet opens in Portland, Oregon.
1994: Company acquires
Canstar Sports Inc., the leading maker of skates and hockey equipment in the
world, later renamed Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
1995: Company signs
golfer Tiger Woods to a $40 million en dorsement deal.
1996: The Nike
equipment division is created.
1999: Company begins
selling its products directly to consumer s via its web site.
2003: Converse Inc. is
acquired for $305 million.
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