Nike was established in 1964 by Bill Bowerman, a University of Oregon track and field coach, and Phil Knight, his former professor. Initially called Blue Ribbon Sports, the company rebranded in 1971 to Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The brand quickly gained popularity with the debut of its first running shoe, the Nike Cortez, in 1972. Nike later gained number cultural relevance with the introduction of the Air Jordan line, 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, notwithstanding Virgil Abloh's OFF-WHITE, Dior, and sacai, helping establish it as a prominent leader in both athletic performance and modern fashion, combining technical innovation with stylish design.
