Nike Gets Into the Jet Design Business

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Named for the Greek goddess of victory, the Nike Corporation has been on a winning streak that has lasted nearly five decades.  Although the company was originally founded in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbin Sports, it did not become Nike until 1971.  Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike is now one of the world’s largest sports clothing and sneaker suppliers.  Each year, the company brings in billions of dollars, and in 2014 Nike was dubbed “the world’s most valuable brand among sports businesses.”  Other than clothing and accessories, Nike also produces a wide array athletic equipment which includes golf clubs and basketballs.

Recently; however, Nike has ventured into completely new territory.  According to recent reports, Nike has teamed up with the global design company, Teague, to create the ideal jet for sports teams who spend a considerable amount of time on the road.  The jet’s goal is “to expressly carry a basketball team from coast-to-coast without compromising their performances.” Teague’s creative director, Phillip Steiner, says that “Most airplane design projects are about packaging individuals as efficiently as possible.” However, taking a new approach to designing an aircraft specifically for sports teams “provides a really interesting perspective.”

The “Nike jet concept” will provide athletes with luxurious accommodations including seats that fold into beds which can comfortably hold players as tall as seven feet.  Taking a more holistic approach to traveling, the Nike jet will remove the usual amount of rows and seats to include separate zones for massages, healing, and nutrition. The jet will also feature individual monitors which will allow players to view their personal performance information, as well as sensors that allow athletes to track their physical well-being.  Reviewing game film can also be easily done while riding this athlete-friendly jet which will feature a large viewing area for teams to gather.  Thanks to Teague and Nike’s new design, the jet will also have a section dedicated to socializing.  The visionary companies have taken the jet’s usual storage area and turned it into a place where teams can gather to celebrate victories.

Given the jet’s incredible design and superb attention to the needs of professional athletes, it is clear that Nike and Teague’s teamwork has created a masterpiece.  Living up to it’s motto and theme of handwork and dedication, it appears that Nike has just done it again.

(Photo by Getty Images)

Written by Camille Moore

Camille has a master's degree from Saint Joseph University's Writing Studies program, and she currently works as the Writing Center Assistant Director at a small university in western Pennsylvania. Camille's writing has been published on several websites, and she enjoys writing articles and short stories in her spare time. You can follow Camille on Twitter @CamealAshley.