How NIKE Makes Money

NIKE Inc. (NKE) is a global footwear and apparel company that designs, develops, markets, and sells athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. Although primarily designed for athletic use, many of its products are worn for casual or leisure activities.

Key Takeaways

NIKE's Industry

The majority of NIKE's products are manufactured by independent contractors and sold either directly to consumers through NIKE retail outlets and digital platforms, or by independent distributors, licensees, and sales representatives. NIKE is based in Oregon with many global rivals, including Adidas AG (ADDYY), ASICS Corp. (7936), Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), Puma SE (PUMSY), and Under Armour Inc. (UAA). NIKE operates through three segments: NIKE Brand; Converse; and Corporate.

NIKE’s Financials

NIKE announced in March financial results for Q3 of its 2024 fiscal year (FY), the three months ended Feb. 29, 2024. The company posted a net income of $1.2 billion, down 5% from the year-ago quarter. Revenue stayed flat year over year (YOY) with $12.4 billion. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), a profitability metric NIKE uses for its business segments, dropped 5% YOY to $1.4 billion. The NIKE Brand segment comprises over 95% of the company's total revenue.

NIKE breaks out revenue, but not profits, for its major product lines and distribution channels. The share of revenue generated by product lines in Q3 FY 2024 was: Footwear (68%); Apparel (28%); Equipment (4%); and Other. A negligible amount is attributable to Other, which includes revenue from licensing businesses of the Global Brand Divisions and Converse segments, and to foreign currency hedge gains and losses accounted for in the Corporate segment. NIKE reports revenue and EBIT for its business segments.

History and Leadership

NIKE’s identity was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory and the company was first founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. During the 1970s, NIKE moved from importing Japanese shoes to creating its own footwear. By 1971, the company's Swoosh was created by Carolyn Davidson. In 2024, the company has headquarters in the U.S., China, and the Netherlands with John Donahoe serving as NIKE's President and CEO.

Recent Developments

In 2023, Football Australia and Nike executed a 10-year contract extension for a third decade, the longest of Nike’s federation and club partnerships in Australia. In Feb. 2024, NIKE partnered with NFL clubs to increase opportunities for Native American and Indigenous youth.

Does NIKE Pay Shareholders Dividends?

Yes, owners of NIKE stock receive dividends. In May 2024, NIKE declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.370 per share on the Company’s outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock payable on July 1, 2024.

How Many Employees Does NIKE Have?

In 2023, NIKE employed over 83,700 workers.

What Is NIKE's Commitment to Sustainability?

The company is committed to a 100% renewable electricity policy by 2025 in NIKE corporate offices, distribution centers, Air MI, and retail locations. Additionally, the company strives to divert 100% of its waste from landfills.

The Bottom Line

NIKE enjoyed an estimated sales of more than $22 billion in 2023. The company holds the largest market share for sneakers globally. NIKE was founded in 1969 and has headquarters in the U.S., China, and the Netherlands.