No. 8: Mark Parker, CEO of Nike
No. 8 Mark Parker, CEO Nike, Inc.
With total revenue over $18 billion dollars, the worlds most notable athletes sporting its goods and the most recognized logo in the world, Mark Parker is at the helm of an empire. After taking over the regins of Nike, Inc. from William Perez- who did a two year stint after Co-Founder Phil Knight stepped away at CEO in 2004- Mark Parker has grown Nike’s presence in the sports world profoundly. Parker started out as a footwear designed in Nike’s R&D Department in New Hampshire. He worked his way up to be co-president of the Nike brand, before becoming Nike’s CEO.
With a solid foothold in basketball, track and football, Parker made an effort to gain a share of athletic appearal for the world’s most popular sport- soccer. In March 2008, Parker and Nike aquired United Kingdom soccer apparel maker Umbro for $600 million. This gave Nike a stronger share in the European soccer market- a market that Nike serverly trailed. It also put Nike as the majority owner for the United Soccer League- North America’s lower division of soccer. In addition to soccer, Nike has established itself with other less popular sports such as handball, cricket, cycling and rugby.
Nike's presence in soccer increases
Parker is also committed in increasing Nike’s environmental presense. Coming out with the first ever, “Green Shoe” in 1998, that was named “Trash Talk.” It was basically a comfortable, quality shoe made up of scraps of older tennis shoes. Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns debuted the shoes at the All-Star Game that year. The Jordan XX3 that were last year were also made being enivornmentally conscious- with materials that produced less toxins and curbed waste.
Nike has come a long way since its first professional sponsor of Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase. Nike sponsors some of the most well-known athletes, including but not limited to, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Tiger Woods, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Tom Brady, LaDainian Tomlinson and hundreds of others in many sports (Complete list of Nike sponsors). Notable college institutions and major league teams are also under contract with Parker’s Nike. With this many athletes all wearing and playing in the apparel it is no wonder why Parker’s decisions influence the world of sports.
Nike's top two baseball sponsors display their Nike sweatbands.
