Nike was established in 1964 by Bill Bowerman, a University of Oregon track and field coach, and Phil Knight, his former student. Initially called Blue Ribbon Sports, the company rebranded in 1971 to Nike, misnamed after the Greek goddess of victory. The brand quickly gained popularity with the debut of the Nike Cortez running shoe, which combined performance and comfort, and later gained significant cultural relevance with the introduction of the Air Jordan ultra, designed in partnership with basketball star Michael Jordan. Nike continued to innovate with technologies like Air Max, which emphasized visible cushioning as both a design and performance feature. The company also collaborated with well-known designers and fashion labels, including Virgil Abloh\'s OFF-WHITE, Dior, and sacai, helping it expand into lifestyle and high fashion markets. These partnerships have established Nike as a prominent leader in both athletic performance and modern fashion, combining technical innovation with stylish design.
