'WHAT IF?'

'WHAT IF?'
Nike's New Spring Ad Campaign 'What If?' Highlights the Talents of Nike's
World-Class Athletes Competing in Sports Other Than Their Own 


BEAVERTON, Ore., Feb. 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tonight at 7 p.m. EST, Nike
launches its "What If?"Spring advertising campaign, featuring a montage of
sport highlights with Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Randy Johnson, Marion
Jones, Brian Urlacher, Michael Vick and Serena Williams.  These seven
world-class athletes step outside of their own sport todisplay their tremendous
talents in sports such as boxing, baseball, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics and
bowling. 

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO
           http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-a
       http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-b
           http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-c )


The six-week campaign provides consumers with images of athletes including Andre
Agassi as a member of the Boston Red Sox fielding a ground ball and throwing out
a speedy runner at first base, Lance Armstrong battling toe-to-toe with Fitz
Vanderpool in the ring and Marion Jones speeding toward the vault and executing
a perfect flip.

"Nike athletes such as Michael Vick and Brian Urlacher prove each time they hit
the field how powerful talent, speed and desire can be," said Nancy Monsarrat.
Director of Nike's U.S. Advertising. "The 'What If' campaign asks the question,
'What if Lance Armstrong was given a pair of boxing gloves instead of a bike as
a child?"  "Our belief is that a passionate athlete's drive to win would
translate into success in any sport."

"I bounced around from football to baseball to basketball and finally got into
endurance related sports like swimming,running and cycling," said Lance
Armstrong.

"You're the only person out there in gymnastics," said Marion Jones. "All the
pressure is on you and you have to perform at a given moment in front of
thousands and thousands of people and particularly in front of judges, or what
they call a jury. It's interesting, I'd get a kick out that."

To create the realistic vignettes, elite coaches and trainers worked with the
Nike athletes to ensure authenticity to the last detail.  In addition, Nike
secured participation from athletes from each of the respective sports to appear
with the seven stars.  Serena Williams is partnered with AVP Tour Professional
Nancy Mason as she hits a powerful crosscourt spike playing against Jenn
Meredith and Carrie Busch; and Randy Johnson bowls against the legendary and
recent US Open winner, Pete Weber.

The "What If?" campaign was directed by Ulf Johansson.  Mike Byrne and Hal
Curtis of Wieden and Kennedy were the Creative Directors for the ad.  All of the
sequences were shot in Los Angeles. The campaign includes a 90-, 60- three and
15-second executions that will run from late February through early April. The
company is targeting sports broadcasts and youth-oriented television shows on a
variety of broadcast outlets.  Consumers interested in seeing all of the spots
can visit Nike.com.

About Nike, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer
and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and
accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned
Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes
athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading
designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan(R), which designs,
markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; and Hurley
International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and
youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-a

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-b

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040225/SFW068-c

http://photoarchive.ap.org/

DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc.



CONTACT:  Rob Aldinger, [phone], or Nate Tobecksen,

[phone], both of Nike, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.nike.com/

Web site:  http://www.nikebiz.com/

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