Nike. Bill Bowerman, a former sports trainer at the University of Oregon in Eugene, founded Blue Ribbon Sports in June 1964, together with Philip Knight. The company first distributed Onitsuka Tiger branded trainers (today: Asics) before they made themselves in 1971 under the name Nike The sports goods manufacturer quickly recognised that the success of the Nike brand is closely paired with sporting successes. Nike has always managed to contract the best of a sport and is still the largest and most successful sporting goods manufacturer. Let yourself be impressed by the variety and quality of the Nike brand.