BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2009-- NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today introduced an innovative new padded base layer called Nike Pro Combat with a superior lightweight, articulated fit that allows today’s basketball player to be protected and feel unstoppable.

LeBron James and Amar’e Stoudemire, among others, will wear elements of the Nike Pro Combat collection when they take the court this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. James and several of his USA Basketball teammates, including Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, began testing Nike Pro Combat last summer in Beijing as they battled for the gold medal.

Nike Pro Combat is ergonomically designed to provide basketball-specific protection to athletes without restricting mobility on the court for maximum performance. The Nike Pro Combat Deflex short provides padding over the hip and thigh; the Nike Pro Combat Deflex top provides ribcage protection; and the Nike Pro Combat Deflex elbow pad provides protection to that joint. All three pieces are designed to integrate seamlessly into the basketball uniform as a lightweight extension of the body.

“Today’s basketball players have evolved along with the faster style of play we’re seeing globally,” said Nike Sport Apparel and Innovation Creative Director Todd Van Horne. “Nike Pro Combat is a breakthrough solution for basketball players engaged in battle in the blocks and perimeter. Its patented energy absorbing foam redistributes the impact of collisions on the court and provides the ultimate base layer protection.”

Each Nike Pro Combat piece is comprised of several shock-absorbing, dual-density EVA foam nodes connected by a PE foam grid over the areas being protected, allowing for unrestricted mobility and sustained protection. Even when the body is flexed and the nodes begin to separate, the grid fills that void so that the body remains protected.

Every piece in the Nike Pro Combat collection is made with Nike Dri-FIT performance fabric to help wick moisture and provide superior air permeability.

Nike recently introduced a Nike Pro Combat collection for American Football with several Nike-partner schools at the end of the collegiate football season.

The Nike Pro Combat collection for American Football will debut at retail in the U.S. beginning in June 2009. The Nike Pro Combat collection for basketball will debut at retail globally beginning in October 2009.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Imagery and information about Nike Pro Combat is available at www.NikeMedia.com.

NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near 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; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit nikebiz.com.

For more information, including multi-media materials, please visit: www.nikemedia.com.

Source: NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc.
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