Ask a former NIKE Basketball employee...

- I appreciate the concerns about confidentiality.  It's not my intention to reveal any propietary information or trade secrets.  Just trying to share my experiences and knowledge.   

Here is a chronological list of my positions:

- Retail Concept Shop Specialist
- Footwear Focus Group Member
- Basketball Sports Marketing Intern (Texas)
- Basketball Sports Marketing Intern (Oregon)
- Hoops Specialist (NIKETOWN)
- Test Coordinator
 
- Viewing shoes that haven't released yet is going to be difficult unless you work for a store with a NIKE account.  Reps used to give clinics where they would show samples of advance product, but it's my understanding that the focus now is what's currently in the store as opposed to what's coming out.  There used to be a lot of threads about sample sales as recently as a few years ago, but that seems to have stopped.  Does anyone out there know if those still happen?  The only place I've seen samples in person within the past five years is on the hash walls in NIKE Outlets and Clearance Stores.  Reps also used to be allowed to sell their sales samples (usually size 9 and 13) to approved mom and pop stores (like Active Athlete in Houston) but I don't know if NIKE still does that.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help in this area.

 

 
 
What is the best way to land a retail job just at the local nike outlet?
It looks like everything is via online as for as applications. Is it strictly that way to make hiring decisions, or is it imperative to reach out to the store manager. From what the Nike website looks like, perhaps they filter out the applications then send it over to store manager to sort on who to pick.

Maybe a silly question I know, but I am serious. Looking for a part time job thats all. 
 
- The pay was competitive, but I was never at a really high pay level.  I relocated across the country for an internship to see if I could make it on campus and land my dream job.

- I'll search my archives to see if I can find more pictures of my collection.

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e9415ceee8ca0f9c35f43a3c25b62fd4bfa8f0a_r.jpg
 

I got these OG AJ III from a guy in NIKE Netherlands who assured me they were worn by Scottie Pippen.
 
- I assume the employment applications for NIKE retail are online now, but I would definitely recommend speaking to a manager in person.  Just introduce yourself, leave a physical copy of  a cover letter and/or  resume, and thank them for their time.  You have to promote yourself in a courteous, appropriate manner.
 
Being a former Nike Basketball employee can you justify the price hikes in basketball shoes? -i.e. the basketball + technology and the "elite" shoes.  I mean what are we paying for the technology, the testing process, the material of the shoes or what?  
 
Looking at your employment dates, this may be hard to answer, but do you remember any specific conversations about customer complaints regarding quality?
 
As far as athletes go, who was the coolest/most down to earth to work with? And on the flipside of that, who was the most arrogant or not open to suggestions? Just wondering.

Thanks man, this is a great thread!
 
- My exposure to customer complaints about quality was limited to weartester feedback.  Our R&D team was in a unique position, in that we were able to address the issues before the shoe was launched.  There were times that I saw shoes taken directly off of testers' feet (including mine) and dissected to explore a problem.  Once a shoe is released to the public, NIKE is very good about replacing shoes due to a manufacturer defect or intended wear during the warranty.  I also handled customer complaints (both legit and janky) as a retail specialist.

- I really don't know what to say about the price hikes.  $250 seems excessive for the elites.  After reviewing the procuct description, the only differences I can see between the elites and the general release are the carbon fiber shank and Pro Combat padding.  I personally think consumers (i.e. young males) are buying these for a status symbol to show they can afford them, not play in them.  I did the same thing as a high school student in the 80's.
laugh.gif
  The other price increases across footwear categories seem to be justifiable.
 
I've had the fortune pleasure to visit the Nike Campus (class trip and professor knew several workers) and I have wanted to return since. I have several internship, degrees, met people and kept in touch, and even have a friend who recently interned this past fall. It seems like I have done everything and get no call backs for positions. Is there any way to tweek my resume a certain "Nike" way to become better noticed?
 
Originally Posted by CWK

- When I was with NIKE, several years ago, releases weren't really a source of controversy yet.  I didn't work in that area first hand, so I can't speak from personal experience.  For what it's worth, I think they're making progress with the new policies in an effort to create a safer environment at stores.  I'm not sure what really could be done to eliminate resellers entirely, but I wear a size 16 and I haven't been able to purchase a new shoe on the release date in a long time.  The secondary market is just an annoying reality of supply and demand economics. 

- Yes, NIKE Basketball and Brand Jordan do share R&D.  Although each brand has a separate developers and designers, they often collaborate.  And footwear testers play in both brands.  The higher profile products, such as Air Jordans or statement level NIKE shoes are frequently tested in more controlled environments like the Bo on campus (these are called "dynamic" session) or they are assigned to trusted, veteran individuals or teams.  This makes sense because technologies such as Hyper, Lunar, and Flywire are utilized by both brands.
Click to expand...
It actually does not need to be that way.  Why can't Nike have a form that gets delievered to you if you sign up for it that allows you to prepurchase releases before they go to the factory to be made?  That way, everybody that really wants a pair is guaranteed to get them.  Its really not that hard. 

Do they intentionally try to create the frenzy they create?



  
 
Originally Posted by HOVKid

Originally Posted by CWK

- When I was with NIKE, several years ago, releases weren't really a source of controversy yet.  I didn't work in that area first hand, so I can't speak from personal experience.  For what it's worth, I think they're making progress with the new policies in an effort to create a safer environment at stores.  I'm not sure what really could be done to eliminate resellers entirely, but I wear a size 16 and I haven't been able to purchase a new shoe on the release date in a long time.  The secondary market is just an annoying reality of supply and demand economics. 

- Yes, NIKE Basketball and Brand Jordan do share R&D.  Although each brand has a separate developers and designers, they often collaborate.  And footwear testers play in both brands.  The higher profile products, such as Air Jordans or statement level NIKE shoes are frequently tested in more controlled environments like the Bo on campus (these are called "dynamic" session) or they are assigned to trusted, veteran individuals or teams.  This makes sense because technologies such as Hyper, Lunar, and Flywire are utilized by both brands.
Click to expand...
It actually does not need to be that way.  Why can't Nike have a form that gets delievered to you if you sign up for it that allows you to prepurchase releases before they go to the factory to be made?  That way, everybody that really wants a pair is guaranteed to get them.  Its really not that hard. 

Do they intentionally try to create the frenzy they create?



  
Click to expand...
I think we all know the answer to that. 
 
Thanks CWK for sharing; being an ex Swoosh employee, I'd like to ask a few questions.

1) How do you feel about the current state of Nike's lines across the board of hybridizing and bastardizing rehashed retroes? Do you think creativity is dead @ HQ and they are just playing it safe using mix and match?

2) Why is it so hard to reproduce a retro faithfully, right down to the colur scheme? I understand for cost cutting purposes and maintaining profit margin but from a veteran employee be honest please don't painted midsoles & less than underwhelming faux alien pleather sadden/anger/annoy/frustrate you?

3) Did any of the people on campus predict/guess that retroes would be as big as they are now? And that eventually JB would stale and complacent?

You must be glad to have been with them in the heyday of most of their tech launches... full footbed Max Air, early Shox, TN, Tempo, Unlimited, Air Force Max, etc, etc....

Sorry, I'm at work and just throwing some ??? on screen. Thanks in advance if you can reply.
 
-If the opportunity came about would you work for Nike again????
-When a ugly shoe comes about is anyone ever truthful and says that is an ugly shoe?  The reason that I asked that is because some of the stuff Jordan Brand comes out is ridiculous and they don't want to go against him : because of who he is and you have a chance to be around M.J. on a daily basis.  I guess I am trying to say like the Charlotte Bobcats, everyone in the front office is a bunch of yes men, for fear of getting let go.
 
how hard is it to become a sales rep for nike or obtain any other jobs concerning distribution or corporate?
 
Originally Posted by 160jordansdeep

Originally Posted by HOVKid

Originally Posted by CWK

- When I was with NIKE, several years ago, releases weren't really a source of controversy yet.  I didn't work in that area first hand, so I can't speak from personal experience.  For what it's worth, I think they're making progress with the new policies in an effort to create a safer environment at stores.  I'm not sure what really could be done to eliminate resellers entirely, but I wear a size 16 and I haven't been able to purchase a new shoe on the release date in a long time.  The secondary market is just an annoying reality of supply and demand economics. 

- Yes, NIKE Basketball and Brand Jordan do share R&D.  Although each brand has a separate developers and designers, they often collaborate.  And footwear testers play in both brands.  The higher profile products, such as Air Jordans or statement level NIKE shoes are frequently tested in more controlled environments like the Bo on campus (these are called "dynamic" session) or they are assigned to trusted, veteran individuals or teams.  This makes sense because technologies such as Hyper, Lunar, and Flywire are utilized by both brands.
Click to expand...
It actually does not need to be that way.  Why can't Nike have a form that gets delievered to you if you sign up for it that allows you to prepurchase releases before they go to the factory to be made?  That way, everybody that really wants a pair is guaranteed to get them.  Its really not that hard. 

Do they intentionally try to create the frenzy they create?



  
Click to expand...
I think we all know the answer to that. 
Click to expand...

I was surprised it was asked.. 
laugh.gif
  Reebok would LOVE to create a frenzy over a release.  

Do you think Nike would have pulled the Adi shoe with the chains on it?  Hell no... 
 
just want to know your opinion about unauthorized pairs/grey shoes those flew around market these days (mostly air jordan lines) , how that hell happen? and what is ur opinion as former nike employee about those shoes? is it still count legit or not?


thanks for the answer I really appreciate ^^
 
Can I get a Swoosh account invite?
nerd.gif
Just kidding mods

Spoiler [+]
Pm me if you have it and want to help out.
smile.gif

All jokes aside, Was there an Athlete that was gonna get his own signature shoe line but for whatever reason didn't?
 
Originally Posted by CWK






- I have a few favorite moments.  I got to tour Tinker's design studio.  I received an unexpected giant shipping carton of TWELVE Jordan player exclusives at one time.  I was a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics on campus.  I dated an olympic gold medalist and she was taller than me (6'8").  The business and personal conversations with designers, developers, and non-employees like Russ Bengston from SLAM.
Click to expand...
name?
 
Originally Posted by NikeDealer

Originally Posted by 160jordansdeep

Originally Posted by HOVKid

It actually does not need to be that way.  Why can't Nike have a form that gets delievered to you if you sign up for it that allows you to prepurchase releases before they go to the factory to be made?  That way, everybody that really wants a pair is guaranteed to get them.  Its really not that hard. 

Do they intentionally try to create the frenzy they create?



  
Click to expand...
I think we all know the answer to that. 
Click to expand...

I was surprised it was asked.. 
laugh.gif
  Reebok would LOVE to create a frenzy over a release.  

Do you think Nike would have pulled the Adi shoe with the chains on it?  Hell no... 
Click to expand...
Hopefully the people that make "fakes" keep getting better.  That way we can just get whatever we want and not have to pay reseller prices.  Most of the sneakers that are desireable aren't used for sports anyway, just fashion.  Its not like they need to be able to stand up to that much wear and tear.







  
 
- Kara Wolters.

- I added my two cents to the last big thread about counterfeit shoes.  To my knowledge, these shoes are assembled without permission by factory workers and then sold illegally to resellers.  Technically, any shoe produced without authorization from NIKE, even at one of their factories, is considered counterfeit.  It violates federal trade laws and copyrights, and it funds organized crime and terrorist activities.

- If I could work for NIKE in my hometown, earning a livable salary, and still have time for my wife and daughter, I would consider it.  But I'm really happy educating kids.

- I would say it's harder to get hired by NIKE than other companies because of the fierce competition among candidates.  Even for the college internships I worked there were thousands of applicants per position.

- The biggest athlete I met was probably Kobe Bryant.  I was shooting around after a WNBA practice and he walked in with Shaq and Rick Fox and the rest of the Lakers.  His shoe contract was almost up and he was wearing some adidas prototypes. I mentioned that I had seen his player exclusive Flighposite samples and asked him when he was coming over to the Dark Side.  He was cool - just laughed and said he couldn't talk about it.  Then Mike Dunleavy informed me it was a closed practice and pointed to the door.
embarassed.gif


- Regarding hype surrounding releases:  As Rock stated, other companies would KILL for even a little bit of the attention that NIKE generates.  I try to keep up with other brands, but I really couldn't tell you model names and colorways of shoes from adidas, Reebok, or anyone else right now.  That being said, I don't know if NIKE would have attached shackles to a pair of shoes - that was a lot of really negative publicity.

- Don't get me started about ugly shoes.  In my opinion, all of the Brand Jordan mashups are awful.  But I'm not their target demographic - and their business model is obviously working.  Sourcing the original components for a retro is  time consuming and expensive.  I do wish they would do more basic releases in original colorways.
 
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