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Nike Skateboarding, also known as Nike SB, is the Nike brand for its line of shoes, clothing, and equipment for skateboarding.

History
In 1997, Nike produced their own line of skate shoes, but were unable to sell to many specialist skate shops as the market was already strongly in favour of companies such as DC, Globe and Vans and Nike wasn't associated as a skateboarding brand among a skateboarding community; heavily influenced by branding.

In 2002, Nike came out with the SB brand. The first shoe model released were Nike SB Dunk Lows, with padded tongues and collars with the "Zoom Air" insoles and were more similar to their competitor's styles than their previous attempts. Initial Nike SB Dunk sales were mediocore, and so four new models were relased including Nike SB Angus, Nike SB FC, Nike SB Delta Force and Nike SB URL; however these models likewise to the Dunks did not succeed in the skateboarding shoe market.

In 2004, Nike SB signed Paul Rodriguez as a figurehead to the brand. In March of that year, Nike released the Nike Dunk SB collection, due to the increased popularity of skateboarding in California. Differing from the old SB Dunk range in that there were a variety of changes made, designed specifically for skateboarding. The collection included increased padding and Zoom Air insoles. The quality of shoe material and design was enhanced with modifications including triple stitching, which is a standard in the skateboarding shoe industry as these shoes experience intense wearing/damage.

In 2005, Nike SB gave Paul Rodriguez his own pro model shoe named the Nike SB Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Low. That year, one of Nike SB's spokespersons, Lance Mountain, decided to release the Nike Blazer SB, a version of the Nike Blazer basketball shoe from the early 1970s. They named it the Nike SB Blazer and added a few new features such as the padded collar and Zoom Air insoles. Lance rode for Adidas in 2005 and then joined the Nike SB team in 2007.

In addition to yearly releases, a variety of special edition Nike Dunk SBs were released. The Nike Dunk SB Low Pro Tiffany was released in 2005 and was part of the "Team Manager Series". The Nike Dunk SB Low Pro Tiffany was heavily nticipated an became a popular piece within the shoe collection. In fact demand for this model exceeded supply, and the Nike Dunk SB Low Pro Tiffany would become a sought after shoe in which several suppliers would no longer be able to get hold of.

Nike SB released their first video entitled "Nothing But The Truth" in 2007. The video consisted of most of the Nike SB skaters which were either signed or sponsored, and generated a lot of attention from video sharing sites due to the face it was professionally produced and edited and featured many famous skaters. In 2009, Nike SB gave rider Stefan Janoski his own pro model: the Zoom Stefan Janoski SB, and signed Eric Koston who had left Lakai Footwear earlier in the year. In addition, a video featuring the Nike SB Amateur team called "Debacle" was released later in the year 2009. Nike SB sponsors several pro skaters such as Theotis Beasley, Shane O'neill, Lewis Marnell, Lance Mountain, Stefan Janoski and Gino Iannucci.

In 2010, Omar Salzar was signed for Nike SB.

Collection
Along with Air Jordans, Nike Skateboarding shoes have emerged as a collector's item, particularly in rare styles and colors. Certain pairs can demand upwards of $1000 on EBay or in boutique stores such as Sole Control in Philadelphia and Flight Club in New York City or at Primitive in Reseda. Collectors often prefer the radical colors and designs associated with known figures such as the Spider-Man SB's or the WhatTheDunks.

Pros

 * Corey Kennedy- Born in Lake Stevens, Washington. Kennedy is sponsored by the skate companies: Girl, RVCA, Spitfire, and Royal Kennedy.


 * Gino Iannucci- Born September 9, 1973 in Long Island New York. Iannucci is sponsored by the skate companies: Chocolate, Diamond, and Mighty Healthy.


 * Lance Mountain- Born June 13, 1964 in Alhambra California. Mountain is sponsored by the skate companies: Flip, Independent, Spitfire, and Bones Bearings.


 * Paul "P-Rod" Rodriguez- Born December 31, 1984 in Simi Valley, California. P-Rod is sponsored by skate companies: Plan B, Silver, FKD Bearings, Primitive, Nixon, Markisa Wallets, as well as Mountain Dew. P-Rod has his very own shoe and apparel line with Nike SB.


 * Theotis Beasley- Born February 16, 1991 in Hawthorne, California. Beasley is sponsored by the skate companies: Baker Skateboards, Thunder, Spitfire, Bones Bearings, Altamont, Active, Dakine, Flik Griptape, Ashbury, and Markisa, as well as Skull Candy and Mountain Dew.


 * Chet Childress - Born November 29, 1974 in Portland, Oregon. Childress is sponsored by the skate companies: Black Label, Independent, Independent Genuine Parts, OJ Wheels, Poler, Stumptown Coffee.


 * Erik Kotson - Born April 29, 1975 in Los Angeles, California. Kotson is sponsored by the skate companies: Girl Skateboards, Independent,  Spitfire,  Oakley,  Fourstar,  Diamond.


 * Justin Brock - Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Brock is sponsored by the skate companies: Real, Thunder,  Spitfire,  HUF,  CCS,  Quiksilver,  Roughneck, Hardware.


 * Omar Salazar - Born November 10, 1983 in Sacramento, California. Salazar is sponsored by the skate companies: Alien Workshop, Independent, Spitfire, Sun Diego.


 * Stefan Janoski - Born July 18, 1979 in Vacaville, California. Janoski is sponsored by the skate companies: Habitat, Venture, Liberty Boardshop, Bones Bearings.


 * Brian Anderson- Born June 12, 1976 in San Francisco, California. Anderson is sponsored by the skate companies: Girl, Fourstar, Independent, Spitfire, CCS


 * Daryl Angel- Born April 17, 1988 in San Jose, California. Angel is sponsored by the skate companies: Habitat, Royal, Spitfire Wheels, Nike SB, Bones Bearings, Diamond, Mob Grip


 * Ishod Wair- Born in Borderntown, New Jersey. Wair is sponsored by the skate companies: Real, Thunder, Spitfire, Fourstar, Stance, Reign Skateshop, Anthony's Cookies


 * Matt Beach- Born September 20, 1977 in Portland, Oregon. Beach is sponsored by the skate companies: Skate Mental, Cal's Pharmacy,  Team T


 * Shane O'Neill - Born January 3, 1990 in Melbourne, Australia. O'Neill is sponsored by the skate companies: Nike Sb, Monster, Skate Mental, Fourstar, Spitfire, Thunder, Diamond, Fkd, Grizzly grip, Street Machine.


 * Daniel Shimizu- Born March 10, 1981 in Los Angeles. Shimizu is sponsored by the skate companies: Bummer high, Insight Clothing, & Hi Fi wheels.


 * Grant Taylor- Born October 31, 1991 in Atlanta. Taylor is sponsored by the skate companies: Allen Workshop, Independent, Volcom, Stratosphere Skateshop, & Spitfire.


 * Lewis Marnell- Born December 3, 1982 in Melbourne, Australia. Marnell is sponsored by the skate companies: Almost, Volcom, Thunder, & Spitfire.


 * Peter Hewitt- Born in California. Hewitt is sponsored by the skate companies: Anti-Hero, Spitfire, & Independent.


 * Wieger Van Wageningen- Born March 10, 1982 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Wageningen is sponsored by the skate companies: Nike SB, Enjoi, WESC, Swiss, Independent, 100% Skateshop.

Amateurs

 * Youness Amrani- Born in Hasslet, Belgium. Amrani is sponsored by the skate companies: Nike SB footwear and apparel, Almost Skateboards, Switch Skateshop, Venture and Area 51 Skatepark.


 * Clark Hassler- Born January 29, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. Hassler is sponsored by the skate companies: Enjoi, Independent and Nike SB

Nike SB Apparel
The Nike SB (skateboarding) company also produces an extensive line of clothing and apparel, apart from the team itself and the company’s well known shoe line. Nike SB apparel includes shirts, jackets, sweaters, pants, bags, hats, and other accessories. This line of clothing is inspired by designer Paul Rodriguez, skateboarders, and skate culture in the United States. Nike SB apparel is sold online and in retail stores across North America.

Market Competitors
Nike SB has numerous competitors in the skateboarding industry. Some popular ones Include: Adidas, Enjoi, Vans, Quiksilver, DC, Globe, Volcom, Circa, RVCA, KR3W, Spitfire, Independent Truck, Girl, Diamond, Nixon, Zoo York and a host of others.

Minor Threat advertisement Issue
In June 2005 Nike received criticism from Ian MacKaye, owner of Dischord Records, guitarist/vocalist for Fugazi & The Evens, and front-man of defunct punk band Minor Threat, for appropriating imagery and text from Minor Threat's 1981 self-titled album's cover art in a flyer promoting Nike Skateboarding's 2005 East Coast demo tour.

Nike SB wrote a letter an apologized for what had happened, stating that the skateboarders, designed the advertisement because of the respect and love they had for the band. Nike had all posters removed.

Other Criticisms
Michelle Pezer, co-owner of Antisocial skateboard once said that she will not supply Nike products at her shop, because Nike, with its huge was trying to get into something it wasn’t part of in the beginning(the skateboard business).

Also, Steve Guisinger, a member of a campaign to stop large sporting goods companies from entering the skateboarding market, also felt that Nike was using its “sneaky” business strategy to lure consumers in order to gain market share.

Stores
Nike SB sells their products to a wide range of customers worldwide, mostly concentrated in North America. There are about ninety-nine Nike SB stores in both U.S and Canada.

Current Shoe Models

 * Abington 1 1, 4 , 5 (May 2005)
 * Classic (January 2005)
 * Delta Force (July 2004 - February 2006)
 * Dunk 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 (March 2002)
 * E-Cue (June 2003 - February 2005)
 * FC (December 2003 - May 2009)
 * Harbor (April 2007)
 * Janoski (May 2009)
 * Janoski Mid (2011)
 * P-Rod 5 (February 2005 - December 2006)
 * P-Rod II 1, 2(March 2007 - June 2009)
 * P-Rod III (August 2009 - August 2010)
 * P-Rod IV (August 2010)
 * P-Rod 2.5 (February 2010)
 * P-Rod 5 (2011)
 * Regime (April 2006 - September 2007)
 * Omar Salazar (March 2010 - 2011)
 * Omar Salazar LR (November 2011)
 * Team Edition (June 2005 - August 2007)
 * Team Edition 2 (December 2011 - 2012)
 * Trainer (November 2005 - July 2006)
 * Trainer 2 (January 2008 - May 2009)
 * Tre (March 2006 - January 2008)
 * Tre A.D.(March 2008)
 * URL (December 2002 - July 2004)
 * Veloce (January 2009)
 * Verona 1 (May 2007 - July 2008)
 * Bruin (August 2009)
 * Future Primitive (November 2010)
 * Koston One (June 2011)

1 Premium

2 High

3 Mid

4 Low

5 Elite