Which business started off as Blue Ribbon Sports?

Nike
Launched as Blue Ribbon Sports on 25th January 1964, by Knight and business partner Bill Bowerman, it became Nike (named after the Greek goddess of victory) on 30th May 1971.

Who founded Nike?

Phil Knight
Bill Bowerman
Nike/Founders

Phil Knight, founder of shoe giant Nike, retired as chairman in June 2016 after 52 years at the company. Knight ran track at the University of Oregon and created Nike shoes with his former track coach, Bill Bowerman. In 1964, they each put up $500 to start what would become Nike, then called Blue Ribbon Sports.

What Nike milestone happened in 1964?

1964 – Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman found Blue Ribbon Sports. 1972 – Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase becomes the first athlete to sign an endorsement with Nike. 1979 – Nike introduces patented “Air” technology with new Tailwind shoe. 1980- Nike completes IPO with a price of 18 cents a share.

Who was the founder of Blue Ribbon Sports?

Nike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, was founded by University of Oregon track athlete Philip Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman in January 1964. The company initially operated as a distributor for Japanese shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger, making most sales at track meets out of Knight’s automobile.

Who is Blue Ribbon Sports of Portland Oregon?

“Blue Ribbon Sports of Portland, Oregon,” he says. He launches into his presentation of his paper from Stanford business school, describing the size of the market and the vast opportunity there would be for a Japanese shoe manufacturer to enter America. They could undercut Adidas, the dominant brand at the time.

When did Blue Ribbon Sports split from Nike?

Tiger claims to have discovered Blue Ribbon Sports selling their own version of the Tiger Cortez under a new line of shoes they called “Nike.” Either way, the two formally split in 1971 with a …

Where did Nike Inc start?

Nike, Inc., formerly called (1964–78) Blue Ribbon Sports, American sportswear company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. It was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman, a track-and-field coach at the University of Oregon, and his former student Phil Knight.