Nike Inc. is an American multinational company dedicated to the design, development, manufacture and marketing of balls, footwear, clothing, equipment, accessories and other sporting goods. It is one of the largest suppliers of sports equipment, with revenues of more than 24,100 million US dollars and a total in 2012 of about 44,000 employees. The brand alone has a value of 15,900 million US dollars, which makes it the most valuable brand among sports corporations. The company was founded on January 20, 1964 as Blue Ribbons Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, and officially became Nike Inc. on May 30, 1971. Nike markets its products under its own brand as well as under Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike +, Air Jordan, Nike Skateboarding, Hurley International and Converse, Nike CR7, among others. Nike also owned Bauer Hockey (Nike Bauer) between 1995 and 2008, and previously owned by Cole Haan and Umbro. In addition to sportswear and manufacturing equipment, the company owns Niketown stores. Nike is a sponsor of many high level athletes and sports teams from around the world, with the famous slogan "Just do it." And the logo, called Swoosh, created by Carolyn Davidson, outlining a wing of Nike, Greek goddess of the victory.
