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Nike is recognized as "the" brand for promoting superior athletic performance and is worn and endorsed by the world's best athletes and teams. Nike has endorsed such athletes as Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Michael Vick, Serena and Venus Williams, Lance Armstrong, Terrell Owens, and Michael Johnson. It is widely know that the "swoosh" signifies greatness and athletic domination. I will attempt to inform the reader of the financial situation of one of the fastest growing, and most prolific companies in the world today.
The Nike "swoosh" found its origin at Portland State University when founder Philip Knight met Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at the University. Mr. Knight offered Carolyn a couple bucks an hour if she would agree to do some design work for his small company. Mr. Knight was pressed for time and he decided on one of her designs saying "I don't love it, but it will grow on me."# Davidson submitted her bill for $35 for the design, and the two did little work over the next several years. However, in 1983 Davidson was invited to a catered lunch where she was given a gold ring with a "swoosh" and a diamond imbedded in it. Mrs. Davidson would also receive another gift compliments of Mr. Knight. It was an envelope containing an unnamed, but substantial amount of stock. "The stock has split three times since I received it, so I can definitely say design has grown on Philip Knight. It is also relatively safe to say that the "swoosh" has grown on the rest of the world.
From Nike's birth on the track at the University of Oregon in 1971, to the current net income that tops 12.3 billion,# the industry has become second to none and would be both a pleasure to work for and a pleasure to invest in. I believe investing in Nike would be a ...