Industry News
Nike is over the action sports industry.
In 2012, Nike pulled out of surfing.
Last week, Nike confirmed that they’re getting completely out of the ski and snowboard industries. The big announcement came at the exact same time that their 2014/15 line of snowboard boots and outerwear was arriving in retail locations.
“Nike SB will focus its innovation, design and marketing resources on its biggest brand driver and growth opportunity, skateboarding. The current Holiday ’14 Nike Snowboarding collection will be the final at retail.” – Nike spokeswoman Jenna Golden told XGames.com
Rumors of Nike dropping skiing and snowboarding have been bouncing around since June 2014 when Nike’s financial numbers came out for the fiscal year. Nike has been growing in all of its key market except its action sports division… Does this say something about the ski and snowboard industry? Or is the ski and snowboard industry simply not a good fit for Nike?
“It’s been a pretty open secret. They’re going to honor and pay out everyone’s contracts that are in place. Sage is already getting some interest from other sponsors, and we’re certainly going to be taking some of those conversations.” – Steve Ruff, vice president of the Action Sports and Olympics division at Wasserman Media Group who represents Nike
Current Nike athletes include some huge industry names.
Skiers: Sammy Carlson, Gus Kenworthy, Jossi Wells, TJ Schiller
Snowboarders: Scotty Lago, Danny Kass, Sage Kotsenburg, Louie Vito
“We will continue to support Nike-sponsored snowboarders and skiers with promotional and competition gear through the end of their current contracts.” – Nike spokeswoman Jenna Golden
Sucks. Those boots were so nice.
Obviously you never rode in their snowboard boots. They made some of the best boots I have ever ridden and I have been riding over 15 years. Did I personally like that Nike came into snowboarding, no but they made quality shit and had one hell of a snowoboard team.
I totally agree! their boots were my favourite. I stocked up on them because I love riding in them so much.
Ah, please explain what Nike had to with this industry in the first place?
Nike’s too large of a company to focus on snow sports. Outdoor gear needs to be designed properly, b people who know what they are creating. Nike makes running shoes.
I don’t think NIKE ever had a place in the Ski and Board industry to begin with.
Just because your company is worth Billions doesn’t mean you know anything about the Ski market.
They should stick to track and field.