Nike Spot With Daisuke Matsuzaka Debuts in Japan as Pitcher Takes Mound in Boston This Week

JUST DO IT: Enjoy the Pressure, Will Run Exclusively in Japan

TOKYO, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nike (NYSE: NKE) announced that a new 30-second broadcast commercial featuring Japanese star and Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will begin airing today on television exclusively in Japan to mark the athlete's professional debut this week in the U.S. The commercial, "JUST DO IT: Enjoy the Pressure", captures the excitement of fans and the intensity of media attention worldwide leading up to Matsuzaka's first start.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO )

Matsuzaka, who signed a free-agent contract with the Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox this year, has been a star in Japan since he burst onto the scene by pitching a no-hitter in the final game of Japan's national high school baseball tournament. Matsuzaka's career has been defined by his ability to succeed under enormous media scrutiny and fan expectations. In 2006, Matsuzaka led Japan to the title of the inaugural World Baseball Classic(TM) capturing MVP honors along the way. The 26-year old right hander is scheduled to make his U.S. professional debut on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals in a game that is expected to garner immense media attention in both Japan and the U.S.

The new commercial, which characterizes the many pressures that face the young Matsuzaka, features imagery of fans around the world preparing for Matsuzaka's first U.S. start. The commercial opens with a pair of Japanese kids waking up in the middle of the night to watch Matsuzaka take the mound. It will be 3:10 a.m. Friday morning in Japan when Matsuzaka takes the mound Thursday night in Boston. Throughout the commercial there are shots depicting the throngs of Japanese and American media that Matsuzaka faces on a daily basis, fans of opposing teams that will have to face the young pitcher throughout the season and Boston Red Sox fans with high expectations for their newest star.

The commercial, produced by Wieden & Kennedy Japan, ends in the Boston Red Sox locker room where Matsuzaka takes a deep breath in front of his locker before flashing his famous smile and heading to the mound.

Nike will introduce a Matsuzaka signature fielding glove, the M18, at select retailers throughout Japan beginning in July.

ABOUT NIKE, INC. (NYSE: NKE)

Based near Beaverton, Oregon, Nike 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; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group.

SOURCE NIKE, Inc.

Released April 4, 2007