There's no recognized clinical "Nike phobia," but the term might refer humorously to strong negative reactions to Nike products (like the clunky "Fear of God" sneakers) or, in the game NIKKE: Goddess of Victory, to the cybernetic "Nikke" units causing psychotic breaks in users due to complex tech, reflecting a fear of advanced machine integration. In mythology, Nike is the Goddess of Victory, so a "Nike phobia" could also be an ironic term for fearing success or winning, though this is less common.
Nike doesn't stand for an acronym; the name comes from Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, symbolizing speed, strength, and triumph, which aligns with the company's focus on athletic achievement, while the "Swoosh" logo represents the goddess's wing and motion. The company, founded as Blue Ribbon Sports, officially changed its name to Nike, Inc. in 1971.
Yes, Nike still supports the LGBTQIA+ community through ongoing commitments to employee groups, athlete partnerships, storytelling, and community grants, emphasizing inclusion in sports year-round, though they shifted away from a large, public-facing Pride apparel collection in 2024 to focus on deeper, programmatic support and employee initiatives.
Nike's Weaknesses – Internal Strategic Factors
- Nike requires that animal products are obtained in humane and responsible ways including Angora rabbit wool. This requirement precludes the use of live plucking. - Raw hides / leather used in products will not be produced from cattle raised in the Amazon, Cerrado, or Gran Chaco biomes, as defined by IBGE.
Competition and the Need for Innovation
In the U.S., challengers like On Running, Hoka, and Lululemon are capturing market share in key athletic categories, forcing Nike to play defense. Nike CEO Elliott Hill, who returned last year after a prior stint at the company, has made product innovation a top priority.
The reasons for the drop? Well, the immediate cause is that Nike had an earnings call the day before and it told investors that its second-quarter sales were down 10 percent. That was much worse than expected, and the market reacted the way markets are supposed to.
No, Nike phased out kangaroo leather (k-leather) in its footwear by the end of 2023, replacing it with synthetic alternatives like their Flyknit material, marking a significant shift in the industry following pressure from animal welfare groups. The move to animal-free materials for iconic boots, like the Tiempo line, was completed in 2024, with other major brands like Adidas, Puma, and New Balance also ending k-leather use.
With yearly donations to Athlete Ally and Stonewall, we help co-create programs aimed to end systemic oppression and drive inclusion in sports across the globe. Building upon those programs, we create spaces, opportunities, and platforms for equal representation empowering the LGTBQ+ community.
While sweat itself doesn't smell, those bacterial waste products do. Shoes are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria because they trap sweat and moisture, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive.
Nike running sneakers tend to be crafted from softer materials and have a good amount of flexibility, so the break-in period is minimal—as little as two or three runs, Campbell says. However, it's always best to follow a more formal break-in process, which may vary from person to person.
In Greek mythology and ancient religion, Nike (Ancient Greek: Νίκη, lit. 'Victory') is the personification of the abstract concept of victory. She was the goddess of victory in battle, as well as in other kinds of contests.
She joined the Olympian gods, led by Zeus, in their struggle against the Titans. As Zeus's charioteer, she had the vital task of ensuring his swift and precise movements during battle. Nike's primary role in Greek mythology, as a symbol of victory, is closely connected to her standing as a constant ally of Zeus.
Yes, Michael Jordan still makes significant money from Nike, earning hundreds of millions annually through his stake in the hugely successful Jordan Brand, a partnership that generates billions in revenue for Nike and provides Jordan with a percentage of every sale, far exceeding his NBA career earnings. The Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike, consistently brings in billions in sales, with Jordan's royalties growing each year.
With its classic hoops design, the Nike Dunk Low Premium channels '80s vintage back onto the streets while its padded, low-cut collar looks sleek and feels great. This product contains pigskin. This product is in Men's US sizing.
Reportedly, Nike just wasn't prepared to meet the financial terms of the Uniqlo contract. But according to other reports, Federer's team didn't start shopping around for alternative deals until Nike had confirmed that they wouldn't be renewing his contract (per his preferred terms).
The Kangaroo Protection Act prohibits the sale and manufacturing of products made from kangaroo skin and carries fines of up to $10,000. This audio is auto-generated.
The Aftermath
Nike decided to stop selling directly on Amazon because it intended to regain control over its brand image and combat the proliferation of counterfeit goods. However, this move may have inadvertently empowered unauthorized sellers.
As alluded to already, pundits have framed Nike's troubles as a failure of brand marketing. The argument goes that the company abandoned long-term brand-building efforts in favour of short-term performance marketing tactics in their push to DTC.
These Nike Air Force 1 sneakers are iconic, durable, and timeless. They're Nike's best-selling shoes ever, and they're on sale right now for nearly 40% off.
Be True is part of Nike's commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, a company-wide effort to create more inclusive spaces in sport since 2012.
The biggest apparel brand in the world
U.S.-based Nike is the world's leading brand in athletic footwear and apparel and the world's most valuable clothing brand in general.
To get 25% off Nike, become a Nike Member, sign up for emails/app notifications, add your birthday to your profile, and wait for the exclusive birthday month promotion, though sometimes Nike offers sitewide codes (like START23 or GOBIG22 in the past) or extra discounts during major sales events, so check the Nike App and website for current offers.