Nike to Develop Line of Snowboards

Nike Inc. said it plans to design and develop a line of snowboards, snowboard boots and bindings with Salt Lake City-based Marker International, effective immediately. The largest U.S. seller of athletic shoes said it expects to show its line of snowboard equipment to retailers in early 1999, and have them on the market later that year. Its new line of snowboard clothing is expected to be available this fall. Nike’s agreement is part of its plan to move into the $40-billion international athletic equipment market, which includes athletic eye wear, watches, skates and inflatable balls. The market is more than twice the size of the athletic footwear market, and it’s larger than the $36-billion global athletic clothing market, analysts said. The snowboards and snowboard boots will be sold under the Nike brand, while the bindings’ brand hasn’t been determined, said Marker Chairman, President and Chief Executive Henry Tauber. Nike’s sales force will distribute the products. About 1.2 million to 1.4 million snowboards are sold annually worldwide, retailing at about $300 apiece, Tauber said.