Rob Strasser

Robert Jay Strasser (5 October 1947 – 15 October 1993)[1] was a pioneering figure in the sports apparel industry, playing instrumental roles at Nike and Adidas. He was notably involved in the launch of the Air Jordan line at Nike and later helped rejuvenate Adidas as a significant competitor.[2]

Rob Strasser
Born(1947-10-05)October 5, 1947
DiedOctober 15, 1993 (1993-10-16) (aged 46)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Marketing and Management
Known forLeadership at Nike and Adidas

Career

Early career

Strasser was a graduate of Willamette University in Salem and the UC Berkeley School of Law.[1] He started his career as a lawyer in Portland, Oregon, where he represented Nike (under its original name, Blue Ribbon Sports) and drew the attention of its founder Phil Knight.[2][3]

Nike

Strasser joined Nike during its early years. His audacious and unconventional style was critical in shaping Nike's trajectory, most notably in the launch of the Air Jordan line. Strasser led Nike's strategic war against Adidas, Nike's key rival, and was instrumental in Nike's charge into European markets.[2][3]

In 1987, Strasser left Nike due to ideological differences with Phil Knight and partnered with Peter Moore in a consulting firm, Sports Inc.[2]

Adidas

Strasser's career took an unexpected turn when he was recruited by Adidas, the company he had once helped Nike to defeat. Tasked with rejuvenating the struggling brand, Strasser and Moore relocated Adidas's North American headquarters to Portland. Their strategy focused on reducing the brand to its iconic core, a move that resonated with consumers.[1][2]

Legacy

Despite Strasser's complicated relationships with both Nike and Adidas, his influence on Portland's economy and culture remains indisputable. His loyalty to the city helped shape Portland into a major player in the sportswear industry.[2][3]

Strasser was portrayed by Jason Bateman in the 2023 movie Air.[3]

References
  1. "Nike Exec Who Joined Adidas Dies at 46". AP NEWS. 31 Oct 1993. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  2. David Wolman (13 June 2016). "Meet the Man Who Reinvented Nike, Seduced Adidas, and Helped Make PDX the Sports Gear Capital of the World". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  3. Mark Zusman (8 April 2023). "The Man Who Saved Nike". Willamette Week. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
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