Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨        Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

  

¨        

  

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only

(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x       Definitive Proxy Statement

         

¨        Definitive Additional Materials

         

¨        Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-11(c) or § 240.14a-12

         

 

NIKE, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

x   No fee required.

 

¨   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I)(4) and 0-11.

 

  (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

  (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

  (5)   Total fee paid

 

¨   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1)   Amount Previously Paid:

 

  (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

  (3)   Filing Party:

 

  (4)   Date Filed:


LOGO

 

NIKE, Inc.

One Bowerman Drive

Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453

 

August 15, 2003

 

To Our Shareholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of NIKE, Inc. to be held at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, on Monday, September 22, 2003, at 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time. Registration will begin at 9:00 A.M.

 

I believe that the annual meeting provides an excellent opportunity for shareholders to become better acquainted with NIKE and its directors and officers. I hope that you will be able to attend. Highlights of the meeting will be available on videotape by calling 1-800-640-8007 following the meeting.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend, the prompt execution and return of your proxy card will both assure that your shares are represented at the meeting and minimize the cost of proxy solicitation.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Philip H. Knight

Chairman of the Board,

President, and Chief Executive Officer


Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

September 22, 2003

 

To the Shareholders of NIKE, Inc.

 

The annual meeting of shareholders of NIKE, Inc., an Oregon corporation, will be held on Monday, September 22, 2003, at 10:00 A.M., at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, for the following purposes:

 

  1.   To elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year.

 

  2.   To approve an amendment to the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

  3.   To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants.

 

  4.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

All shareholders are invited to attend the meeting. Shareholders of record at the close of business on July 25, 2003, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. You must present an admission ticket enclosed in this Proxy Statement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

LINDSAY D. STEWART

Secretary

 

Beaverton, Oregon

August 15, 2003

 

Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting, please sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, or vote by telephone or over the internet following the instructions on the proxy.


PROXY STATEMENT

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of NIKE, Inc. (“NIKE” or the “Company”) for use at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on September 22, 2003, and at any adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The Company expects to mail this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy to shareholders on or about August 15, 2003.

 

The Company will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain officers and employees of the Company, without extra compensation, may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone. The Company has retained ADP Investor Communications Services, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from nominees and brokers at an estimated fee of $5,000 plus related out-of-pocket expenses. Copies of proxy solicitation materials will be furnished to fiduciaries, custodians and brokerage houses for forwarding to the beneficial owners of shares held in their names.

 

All valid proxies properly executed and received by the Company prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions specified in the proxy. Where no instructions are given, shares will be voted FOR the election of each of the named nominees for director, FOR approval of the amendment to the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan, and FOR ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants. A shareholder may choose to strike the names of the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy and insert other names.

 

A shareholder giving the enclosed proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by affirmatively electing to vote in person at the meeting or by delivering to John F. Coburn III, Assistant Secretary of NIKE, either an instrument of revocation or an executed proxy bearing a later date.

 

VOTING SECURITIES

 

Holders of record of NIKE’s Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) and holders of record of NIKE’s Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”), at the close of business on July 25, 2003, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, 97,816,966 shares of Class A Stock and 165,916,126 shares of Class B Stock were issued and outstanding. Neither class of Common Stock has cumulative voting rights.

 

Each share of Class A Stock and each share of Class B Stock is entitled to one vote on every matter submitted to the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. With regard to Proposal 1, the election of directors, the holders of Class A Stock and the holders of Class B Stock will vote separately. Holders of Class B Stock are currently entitled to elect 25 percent of the total Board, rounded up to the next whole number. Holders of Class A Stock are currently entitled to elect the remaining directors. Under this formula, holders of Class B Stock, voting separately, will elect four directors, and holders of Class A Stock, voting separately, will elect nine directors. Holders of Class A Stock and holders of Class B Stock will vote together as one class on Proposals 2 and 3.

 

 


PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

A Board of 13 directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees were elected at the 2002 annual meeting of shareholders, except for Alan B. Graf, Jr., who was elected as a director by the Board of Directors in November 2002. Directors will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

Jill K. Conway, Alan B. Graf, Jr., John E. Jaqua, and A. Michael Spence are nominated by management for election by the holders of Class B Stock. The other nine nominees are nominated by management for election by the holders of Class A Stock.

 

Under Oregon law, if a quorum of each class of shareholders is present at the Annual Meeting, the nine director nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast by holders of Class A Stock and the four director nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast by holders of Class B Stock will be elected directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of the vote. Unless otherwise instructed, proxy holders will vote the proxies they receive for the nominees listed below. If any nominee becomes unable to serve, the holders of the proxies may, in their discretion, vote the shares for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors.

 

Background information on the nominees as of July 15, 2003, appears below:

 

Nominees for Election by Class A Shareholders

 

Thomas E. Clarke — Dr. Clarke, 52, a director since 1994, joined the Company in 1980, and serves as President of New Business Ventures of the Company. He was appointed divisional vice president in charge of marketing in 1987, corporate Vice President in 1989, General Manager in 1990, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1999. Dr. Clarke previously held various positions with the Company, primarily in research, design, development and marketing. Dr. Clarke holds a Doctorate degree in biomechanics.

 

Ralph D. DeNunzio — Mr. DeNunzio, 71, a director of the Company since 1988, is President of Harbor Point Associates, Inc., New York, New York, a private investment and consulting firm. Mr. DeNunzio was employed by the investment banking firm of Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated from 1953 to 1987, where he served as President from 1977 to 1986, as Chief Executive Officer from 1980 to 1987 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1986 to 1987. Mr. DeNunzio served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the New York Stock Exchange from 1969 to 1972 and was President of the Securities Industry Association in 1981. In 1970, Mr. DeNunzio headed the Securities Industry Task Force, which led to enactment of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970

 

2


and establishment of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. He is also a director of FDX Corporation and Harris Corporation.

 

Richard K. Donahue — Mr. Donahue, 76, a director since 1977, is Vice Chairman of the Board. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1990 until 1994. He has been a partner in the law firm of Donahue & Donahue, Lowell, Massachusetts, since 1951. From 1961 to 1963, Mr. Donahue was an assistant to President John F. Kennedy. Mr. Donahue is a former President of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the New England Bar Association. He is a member of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Mr. Donahue is a trustee of the Joyce Foundation and is a director of Courier Corp.

 

Delbert J. Hayes — Mr. Hayes, 68, a director since 1975, served as Executive Vice President of NIKE from 1980 to 1995. Mr. Hayes served as Treasurer and in a number of other executive positions with the Company from 1975 to 1980. Mr. Hayes was a partner with Hayes, Nyman & Co., certified public accountants, from 1970 to 1975. Prior to 1970, Mr. Hayes was a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse for eight years.

 

Douglas G. Houser — Mr. Houser, 68, a director since 1970, is an Assistant Secretary of the Company and has been a partner in the Portland, Oregon law firm of Bullivant, Houser, Bailey since 1965. Mr. Houser is a trustee of Willamette University and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and has served as a member of the Board of Governors and Treasurer of the Oregon State Bar Association and as a Director of the Rand Corporation, Institute for Civil Justice Board of Overseers.

 

Jeanne P. Jackson — Ms. Jackson, 51, a director since November 2001, is Founder and CEO of MSP Capital, a private investment company. Ms. Jackson was CEO of Walmart.com from March 2000 to January 2002. She was with Gap, Inc., as President and CEO of Banana Republic from 1995-2000, also serving as CEO of Gap, Inc. Direct from 1998-2000. Since 1978, she has held various retail management positions with Victoria’s Secret, The Walt Disney Company, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Federated Department Stores. Ms. Jackson is a Trustee of the United States Ski and Snowboard Team, and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Harvard Graduate School of Business. She is also a director of McDonald’s, Nordstrom, and Williams-Sonoma.

 

Philip H. Knight — Mr. Knight, 65, a director since 1968, is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of NIKE. Mr. Knight is a co-founder of the Company and, except for the period from June 1983 through September 1984, served as its President from 1968 to 1990, and from June 2000 to present. Prior to 1968, Mr. Knight was a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand and was an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Portland State University.

 

3


Charles W. Robinson — Mr. Robinson, 83, a director since 1978, is Chairman and President of Robinson & Associates, Inc., Santa Fe, New Mexico, a venture capital firm, and M Ship Co. and CBTF Co., San Diego, California, both boat and ship design companies. From January 1978 to January 1979, Mr. Robinson was Vice Chairman of the Board of Blyth, Eastman, Dillon & Co., Inc. and from March 1977 to December 1977, was Senior Managing Director of Kuhn Loeb & Co., Incorporated. Mr. Robinson served as Under-secretary of State for Economic Affairs from 1974 to 1976, at which time he was appointed Deputy Secretary of State. From 1964 to 1974, Mr. Robinson was President of Marcona Corporation. Mr. Robinson is also a trustee of The Brookings Institution and member of the President’s Circle of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

John R. Thompson, Jr. — Mr. Thompson, 62, a director since 1991, was head coach of the Georgetown University men’s basketball team from 1972 until 1998. Mr. Thompson serves as Assistant to the President of Georgetown for Urban Affairs. Mr. Thompson was head coach of the 1988 United States Olympic basketball team. He is a past President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and presently serves on its Board of Governors.

 

Nominees for Election by Class B Shareholders

 

Jill K. Conway — Dr. Conway, 68, a director since 1987, is currently a Visiting Scholar with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Program in Science, Technology and Society. Dr. Conway was a Professor of History and President of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, from 1975 to 1985. She was affiliated with the University of Toronto from 1964 to 1975, and held the position of Vice President, Internal Affairs from 1973 to 1975. Dr. Conway holds numerous Honorary Doctorates from North American universities. She is also a director of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Company.

 

Alan B. Graf, Jr. — Mr. Graf, 49, a director since November 2002, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FedEx Corporation, a position he has held since 1998, and is a member of FedEx Corporation’s Executive Committee. Mr. Graf joined FedEx Corporation in 1980 and was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for FedEx Express, FedEx’s predecessor, from 1991 to 1998. Mr. Graf also serves as the Chairman of the Board of FedEx Custom Critical. He is also a director of Kimball International, Inc. and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

 

John E. Jaqua — Mr. Jaqua, 82, a director since 1968, served as Secretary of NIKE from 1969 to 2002, and has been a principal in the law firm of Jaqua & Wheatley, P.C., Eugene, Oregon, since 1962. Mr. Jaqua has served as President of the Oregon State Bar Association and as a State Delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association.

 

4


A. Michael Spence — Dr. Spence, 59, a director since 1995, is a partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners. He was the Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University from 1990 to 1999. From 1984 to 1990 he was Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. He was professor of economics and business administration at Harvard University from 1977 to 1986. He is the author of three books and numerous articles on economics and business. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and was for six years Chairman of the National Research Council Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy. Dr. Spence received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2001. Dr. Spence is also a director of Exult, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Siebel Systems, Inc., and Torstar Corporation.

 

Board of Directors and Committees

 

The Board currently has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a Finance Committee, a Corporate Responsibility Committee, and a Compensation Committee, and may also appoint other committees from time to time. Each committee has a written charter; all such charters, as well as the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, are available at the Company’s internet website (www.nikebiz.com) and will be provided in print to any shareholder who submits a request in writing to NIKE Investor Relations, One Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453. There were five meetings of the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year. Each director attended at least 75 percent of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which he or she served, except for Mr. Thompson who attended 45 percent.

 

Pursuant to proposed rules of the New York Stock Exchange, in order for a director to qualify as “independent,” the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with the Company that would impair the director’s independence. The proposed rules permit the Board to adopt categorical standards under which relationships will be deemed immaterial without any specific Board determination. Accordingly, the Board has determined that commercial or charitable relationships below the following thresholds will not be considered material relationships that impair a director’s independence: (i) if a NIKE director or immediate family member is an executive officer of another company that does business with NIKE and the annual sales to, or purchases from, NIKE are less than one percent of the annual revenues of the other company; and (ii) if a NIKE director or immediate family member serves as an officer, director or trustee of a charitable organization, and NIKE’s contributions to the organization are less than one percent of that organization’s total annual charitable receipts. In fiscal 2003 and prior years, the Company paid compensation to Mr. DeNunzio, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Thompson, or firms they own or control, for consulting services related to their areas of expertise (see the paragraph captioned “Certain Transactions and Business Relationships” below). In response to the increased interest of regulators and investors in corporate governance matters, all those consulting relationships were terminated on or before January 1, 2003. Thus, based on the termination of those consulting relationships and the application of the categorical immateriality standard set forth above, the

 

5


Board of Directors has determined that all directors, except Mr. Knight and Dr. Clarke who are executive officers of the Company, have no material relationship with the Company and, therefore, are independent.

 

Executive sessions of non-management directors (consisting of all directors other than Mr. Knight and Dr. Clarke) are regularly scheduled and held at least once each year. The position of presiding director at these executive sessions is rotated among the Chairs of the various Board committees, other than the Executive Committee, so there is no single lead director. Shareholders desiring to communicate directly and confidentially with the non-management directors may do so in writing sent to Non-Management Directors, c/o Lindsay D. Stewart, Secretary, NIKE, Inc., One Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453.

 

The Executive Committee of the Board is currently composed of Messrs. Knight (Chairman), Clarke, and Houser. The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board on all corporate actions for which applicable law does not require participation by the full Board. In practice, the Executive Committee acts in place of the full Board only when emergency issues or scheduling make it difficult or impracticable to assemble the full Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee must be reported at the next Board meeting. The Executive Committee held no formal meetings during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003, but took actions from time to time pursuant to written consent resolutions.

 

The Audit Committee is currently composed of Mr. Graf (Chairman), Mr. Robinson, and Dr. Spence. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets all applicable independence and financial literacy requirements under both current and proposed New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board has also determined that Mr. Graf is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement or discharge of the independent accountants, reviews and approves services provided by the independent accountants, and reviews with the independent accountants the scope and results of their annual examination of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and any recommendations they may have. The Audit Committee also reviews the Company’s procedures with respect to maintaining books and records, the adequacy and implementation of internal auditing, accounting, disclosure, and financial controls, and the Company’s policies concerning financial reporting and business practices. In 2003, the Audit Committee adopted a new written charter, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B. The Audit Committee met 11 times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is currently composed of Mr. DeNunzio (Chairman), Ms. Conway, Mr. Donahue, and Mr. Houser. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become Board members, recommends director nominees for election at each annual shareholder meeting, and develops and recommends corporate governance guidelines and standards for business conduct and ethics. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluations of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the

 

6


structure and membership of the other Board committees. The committee will consider shareholder recommendations for candidates for the Board sent to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Lindsay D. Stewart, Secretary, NIKE, Inc., One Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003.

 

The Finance Committee is currently composed of Messrs. Robinson (Chairman), DeNunzio, and Hayes. The Finance Committee considers long-term financing options and needs of the Company, long-range tax and currency issues facing the Company, and management recommendations concerning major capital expenditures and material acquisitions or divestments. The Finance Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003.

 

The Corporate Responsibility Committee is currently composed of Dr. Conway (Chair), and Messrs. Donahue, Houser, and Thompson. The Corporate Responsibility Committee reviews significant activities and policies regarding labor and environmental practices, community affairs, charitable and foundation activities, diversity and equal opportunity, and environmental and sustainability initiatives, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Corporate Responsibility Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003.

 

The Compensation Committee is currently composed of Mr. DeNunzio (Chairman), Ms. Jackson, Mr. Jaqua, Dr. Spence and Mr. Thompson. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding officers’ compensation, management incentive compensation arrangements and profit sharing plan contributions. The Compensation Committee also grants stock options and restricted stock bonuses under the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan, and determines targets and awards under the NIKE, Inc. Executive Performance Sharing Plan and the NIKE, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003.

 

The Compensation Plan Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee is currently composed of Dr. Spence and Mr. Jaqua. The Subcommittee grants stock options and restricted stock bonuses under the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan, and determines targets and awards under the NIKE, Inc. Executive Performance Sharing Plan and the NIKE, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

The NIKE Code of Ethics (“Code”) is available at the Company’s internet website (www.nikebiz.com) and will be provided in print without charge to any shareholder who submits a request in writing to NIKE Investor Relations, One Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453. The Code applies to the Company’s chief executive officer and senior financial officers, and to all other Company directors, officers and employees. The Code provides that any waiver of the Code may be made only by the Board.

 

7


Any such waiver in favor of a director or executive officer will be publicly disclosed. The Company plans to disclose amendments to, and waivers from, the Code on the Company’s internet website: www.nikebiz.com.

 

Director Compensation and Retirement Plan

 

Messrs. Knight and Clarke do not receive additional compensation for their services as directors. Directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. Pursuant to elections made in fiscal 2000, Messrs. Donahue, Hayes, Jaqua, Robinson, and Thompson, and Dr. Conway receive an annual fee of $22,000 per year, plus $2,000 for each Board meeting attended, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, an annual grant of an option to purchase 4,000 shares of stock at the market price at grant, medical insurance, and $500,000 of life insurance coverage. Messrs. DeNunzio, Graf, Houser, Spence, and Ms. Jackson, and all directors first elected after fiscal 2000, receive a fee of $40,000 per year, plus $2,000 for each Board meeting attended, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, an annual grant of an option to purchase 4,000 shares of stock at the market price at grant. However, they receive no medical or life insurance benefits. In exchange for electing the new compensation method in fiscal 2000, Messrs. DeNunzio, Houser and Spence also receive an annual grant of an option to purchase 1,000 shares of stock at the market price on the date of grant.

 

From 1989 to 1999, the Company provided certain retirement benefits to non-employee directors who retire after serving for five years or more. The plan provided that after ten years of service by a director, the Company would provide such director for the remainder of his or her life with $500,000 of life insurance and medical insurance at the levels provided by the Company to all of its employees at the time the director retires. The plan also provided that a director who had served for at least five years would receive an annual retirement cash payment for life, commencing on the later of age 65 or the date the director retires or ceases to be a member of the Board. The annual retirement cash payment ranges from $9,000 for five years of service up to a maximum of $18,000 for 10 or more years of service.

 

In fiscal 2000, in an effort to reduce future retirement obligations, the Board of Directors approved a new retirement plan that allowed directors to make a one-time election to waive their future rights to annual retirement cash payments in exchange for a credit to a stock account under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan equal to the lump sum present value of the payments based on the actuarial life expectancy of each director. The number of shares of Class B Common Stock credited to each stock account was based on the market price of the stock on September 1, 1999. All directors at that time, except for Messrs. Donahue and Robinson, elected the new plan. The number of shares of Class B Common Stock credited to the stock accounts of each director was: Dr. Conway, 4,165; Mr. DeNunzio, 3,852; Mr. Hayes, 4,217; Mr. Houser, 4,243; Mr. Jaqua, 2,610; Dr. Spence, 1,220; and Mr. Thompson, 3,271. Any non-employee directors first elected after fiscal 2000 do not receive retirement benefits.

 

Directors first elected after the 1993 fiscal year must retire at age 72.

 

8


Stock Holdings of Certain Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of each class of NIKE securities beneficially owned, as of July 15, 2003, by (i) each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of any class of the Company’s securities, (ii) each of the nominees for director, (iii) each executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table (“Named Officers”), and (iv) all nominees, Named Officers, and other executive officers as a group. Because Class A Stock is convertible into Class B Stock on a share-for-share basis, each beneficial owner of Class A Stock is deemed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be a beneficial owner of the same number of shares of Class B Stock. Therefore, in indicating a person’s beneficial ownership of shares of Class B Stock in the table, it has been assumed that such person has converted into Class B Stock all shares of Class A Stock of which such person is a beneficial owner. For these reasons the table contains substantial duplications in the numbers of shares and percentages of Class A and Class B Stock shown for Messrs. Hayes, Jaqua and Knight; for Cardinal Fund I, L.P.; and for all directors and officers as a group.

 

     Title of
Class


     Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)


       Percent of
Class (2)


Thomas E. Clarke

Portland, Oregon

   Class B      283,927  (4) (5) (6)      0.2%

Jill K. Conway

Boston, Massachusetts

   Class B      46,260  (7)       

Ralph D. DeNunzio

Riverside, Connecticut

   Class B      110,416  (4) (7)       

Richard K. Donahue

Lowell, Massachusetts

   Class B      115,202          

Alan B. Graf, Jr.

Memphis, Tennessee

   Class B      4,000          

Delbert J. Hayes

Newberg, Oregon

  

Class A

Class B

    

590,000 

632,296 

 

(7)

     0.6%
0.4%

Douglas G. Houser

Portland, Oregon

   Class B      94,973  (4) (7)       

Jeanne Jackson

Newport Coast, California

   Class B      5,000          

John E. Jaqua

Eugene, Oregon

  

Class A

Class B

    

569,214 

571,935 

 

(7)

    

0.6%

0.3%

Philip H. Knight (3)

Beaverton, Oregon

  

Class A

Class B

    

78,655,047 

78,664,568 

(8)

(6) (8)

    

80.4%

32.2%

 

9


     Title of
Class


   Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)


       Percent of
Class (2)


Charles W. Robinson

Santa Fe, New Mexico

   Class B    300,000         0.2%

A. Michael Spence

Palo Alto, CA

   Class B    24,272  (4) (7)       

John R. Thompson, Jr

Washington, D.C.

   Class B    34,911  (4) (7)       

Charles Denson (3)

Portland, Oregon

   Class B    178,733  (4) (5) (6)      0.1%

Mindy Grossman (3)

Beaverton, Oregon

   Class B    93,013  (4) (6)       

Mark G. Parker (3)

Beaverton, Oregon

   Class B    388,346  (4) (5) (6)      0.2%

Gary M. DeStefano (3)

Beaverton, Oregon

   Class B    122,358  (4) (5) (6)       

Nissho Iwai American Corporation

Portland, Oregon

   Preferred (9)    300,000         100.0%

Cardinal Fund I, L.P

Fort Worth, Texas

  

Class A

Class B

  

14,718,131 

14,718,131 

(10)

 

    

15.0%

8.1%

Capital Research and Management Company

Los Angeles, California

  

Class B

  

8,389,600 

(11)

    

5.0%

Janus Capital Management LLC

Denver, Colorado

   Class B    9,626,350  (11)      5.8%

Wellington Management Company LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   Class B    13,211,432  (11)      8.1%

All directors and executive officers as a
group (26 persons)

  

Class A

Class B

  

 

79,814,261 

82,432,005 

 

 

(4)

    

 

81.6%

33.5%


  (1)   A person is considered to beneficially own any shares: (a) over which the person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (b) of which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days (such as through conversion of securities or exercise of stock options). Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the above shares is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or shared by the owner and the owner’s spouse or children.

 

10


  (2)   Omitted if less than 0.1 percent.

 

  (3)   Executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

  (4)   These amounts include the right to acquire, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, within 60 days after July 15, 2003, the following numbers of shares: 273,750 shares for Dr. Clarke, 3,000 shares for Mr. DeNunzio, 3,000 shares for Mr. Houser, 23,000 shares for Dr. Spence, 27,500 shares for Mr. Thompson, 154,500 shares for Mr. Denson, 91,667 shares for Ms. Grossman, 346,875 shares for Mr. Parker, 98,500 shares for Mr. DeStefano and 1,702,292 shares for the executive officer and director group.

 

  (5)   Includes shares held in accounts under the NIKE, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for Dr. Clarke, Mr. Denson, Mr. Parker, and Mr. DeStefano in the amounts of 2,599, 4,279, 2,957, and 2,981 shares, respectively.

 

  (6)   These amounts include (a) 5,719, 5,719, 1,430, 2,859, and 2,859 restricted shares granted to Mr. Knight, Dr. Clarke, Mr. Denson, Mr. Parker, and Mr. DeStefano respectively, under the NIKE, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as to which the restrictions expire August 15, 2003; and (b) 1,859, 1,859, 929, 929, 929, and 929 shares granted to Mr. Knight, Dr. Clarke, Mr. Denson, Ms. Grossman, Mr. Parker, and Mr. DeStefano respectively, under the NIKE, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as to which the restrictions expire August 15, 2004.

 

  (7)   Includes shares credited to accounts under the NIKE, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan in the following amounts: 4,342 for Dr. Conway; 4,016 for Mr. DeNunzio; 4,396 for Mr. Hayes; 4,423 for Mr. Houser; 2,721 for Mr. Jaqua; 1,272 for Dr. Spence; and 3,411 for Mr. Thompson.

 

  (8)   Does not include: (a) 814,790 shares held by a limited partnership in which a corporation owned by Mr. Knight’s spouse is a co-general partner, (b) 65,224 shares owned by such corporation, (c) 1,000,000 Class B shares held by the Knight Foundation, a charitable foundation in which Mr. Knight and his spouse are directors, (d) 1,950,000 shares held by Oak Hill Strategic Partners, L.P., a limited partnership in which a company owned by Mr. Knight is a limited partner, and (e) 12,768,131 shares held by Cardinal Fund I, L.P., a limited partnership in which Mr. Knight is a limited partner. Mr. Knight has disclaimed ownership of all such shares.

 

  (9)   Preferred Stock does not have general voting rights except as provided by law, and under certain circumstances as provided in the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended.

 

(10)   Includes 1,950,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Oak Hill Strategic Partners, L.P., which is under common control with Cardinal Fund I, L.P.

 

(11)   Information provided as of December 31, 2002 in Schedule 13G filed by the shareholder.

 

11


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than 10 percent shareholders are required by the regulations of the SEC to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10 percent beneficial owners were complied with, except that one report, covering one transaction was filed one day late by Mr. Hayes.

 

12


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table discloses compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its next four most highly compensated executive officers for all services rendered by them in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003 and the two preceding fiscal years.

 

Summary Compensation Table

                          Restricted
Stock
Awards ($)


                 
          Annual Compensation

     Long-term
Compensation


           

Name and
Principal Position


   Year

   Salary ($)

   Bonus ($)

   

Other Annual

Compensation ($)


    

Stock

Options
(#)


   LTIP
Payouts ($)


  

All Other

Compensation
($) (1)


 

Philip H. Knight

Chairman, Chief

Executive

Officer and

President

  

2003

2002

2001

  

1,350,000

1,350,321

1,300,000

  

1,121,840

1,377,327

663,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

320,000

92,000

  

87,195

572,856

586,427

 

 

 

Mark G. Parker

President

NIKE Brand

  

2003

2002

2001

  

942,308

897,436

772,756

  

817,154

595,000

255,531

 (3)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

70,000

60,000

  

160,000

46,000

  

59,079

50,284

55,686

 (2)

 

 

Charles Denson

President

NIKE Brand

  

2003

2002

2001

  

834,615

713,141

458,333

  

740,907

472,812

146,413

 (3)

 

 

 

108,502

243,287

  

 

 

 

 

70,000

60,000

  

160,000

46,000

  

46,933

35,702

27,837

 

 

 

Mindy Grossman

Vice President

Apparel

  

2003

2002

2001

  

734,615

645,833

404,615

  

485,434

395,250

183,600

 

 

 

 

  

999,985

 

 

 (5)

 

40,000

30,000

100,000

  

160,000

46,000

  

96,719

199,137

302,646

 (4)

 

 

Gary M. DeStefano

President of USA

Operations

  

2003

2002

2001

  

684,615

603,846

501,042

  

420,080

369,554

153,319

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

44,000

40,000

  

160,000

46,000

  

41,704

34,271

32,924

 

 

 


(1)   Includes contributions by the Company to the NIKE, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003 in the amount of $6,394 each for Mr. Knight and Ms. Grossman, $14,447, $11,528 and $14,394 for Mr. Parker, Mr. Denson and Mr. DeStefano, respectively. Also includes contributions by the Company to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Mr. Knight, Mr. Parker, Mr. Denson, Ms. Grossman and Mr. DeStefano of $80,801, $42,755, $35,405, $29,728, and $27,308, respectively.

 

(2)   Includes above-market interest on deferred compensation for Mr. Parker in the amount of $1,877 for the 2003 fiscal year.

 

(3)   Includes $150,000 bonus outside the Executive Performance Sharing Plan.

 

(4)   Includes additional compensation to Ms. Grossman for transportation expenses, including gross up for taxes on such compensation, in the amount of $60,597 for fiscal 2003.

 

(5)   Represents the value of shares and restricted shares granted to Ms. Grossman based on the closing market price of the Class B Stock on the grant date. A stock grant was made to Ms. Grossman in fiscal 2001 for 25,078 shares, of which 16,727 were restricted. The restrictions lapsed with respect to one-half of the shares on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date. Dividends on restricted shares were paid currently to the holder. On May 31, 2003, no shares remained subject to restrictions.

 

13


Option Grants in the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2003

 

Name


   Options Granted
(#) (1)


   % of Total
Options Granted
to Employees
in Fiscal Year


  

Exercise or

Base Price

($/share) (2)


   Expiration
Date


   Potential Realizable Value
at Assumed Annual Rates of
Stock Price Appreciation for
Option Term (3)


               5% ($)

   10% ($)

Philip H. Knight

                       

Mark G. Parker

   70,000    1.3    $ 48.98    7/21/12    $ 2,156,000    $ 5,464,305

Charles Denson

   70,000    1.3    $ 48.98    7/21/12    $ 2,156,000    $ 5,464,305

Mindy Grossman

   40,000    0.7    $ 48.98    7/21/12    $ 1,232,000    $ 3,122,400

Gary DeStefano

   44,000    0.8    $ 48.98    7/21/12    $ 1,355,200    $ 3,434,640

(1)   The options shown in the table with the expiration date of July 21, 2012 become exercisable with respect to 25% of the total number of shares on each of July 22, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. All options for all individuals will become fully exercisable generally upon the approval by the Company’s shareholders of a merger, plan of exchange, sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets or plan of liquidation.

 

(2)   The exercise price is the market price of Class B Stock on the date the options were granted.

 

(3)   Assumed annual appreciation rates are set by the SEC and are not a forecast of future appreciation. The actual realized value depends on the market value of the Class B Stock on the exercise date, and no gain to the optionees is possible without an increase in the price of the Class B Stock. All assumed values are before taxes and do not include dividends.

 

Aggregated Option Exercises in the Fiscal Year  Ended May 31, 2003 and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

 

    

Shares

Acquired on
Exercise (#)


   Value
Realized ($)


   Number of Unexercised
Options at
Fiscal Year-End (#)


   Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options
at Fiscal Year-End ($) (1)


Name


         Exercisable

   Unexercisable

   Exercisable

   Unexercisable

Philip H. Knight

   0      0    0    0      0      0

Mark G. Parker

   85,252    $ 2,821,836    301,250    141,250    $ 4,347,680    $ 1,498,358

Charles Denson

   0      0    117,000    125,000    $ 2,114,693    $ 1,254,263

Mindy Grossman

   0      0    74,167    95,833    $ 1,176,564    $ 1,124,236

Gary DeStefano

   0      0    70,000    89,000    $ 501,006    $ 942,659

(1)   Based on a fair market value as of May 31, 2003 of $55.99 per share. Values are stated on a pre-tax basis.

 

14


Long-Term Incentive Plans Awards in Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2003

 

Name


   Performance
or Other Period
Until Maturation
or Payout (1)


   Threshold ($)

   Target ($)

   Maximum ($)

Philip H. Knight

   Fiscal Years 2003 to 2005    40,000    400,000    600,000

Mark G. Parker

   Fiscal Years 2003 to 2005    20,000    200,000    300,000

Charles Denson

   Fiscal Years 2003 to 2005    20,000    200,000    300,000

Mindy Grossman

   Fiscal Years 2003 to 2005    20,000    200,000    300,000

Gary DeStefano

   Fiscal Years 2003 to 2005    20,000    200,000    300,000

(1)   In June 2002, the Compensation Committee established a series of performance targets based on fiscal 2003 through 2005 revenues and earnings per share corresponding to award payouts ranging from 10% to 150% of the target awards. Participants will receive a payout at the average of the percentage levels corresponding to the results for the two targets, subject to the Committee’s discretion to reduce or eliminate any award based on Company or individual performance. Under the terms of the awards, on August 15, 2005 the Company would issue in the name of each participant a number of shares of Class B Stock with a value equal to the award payout based on the closing price of the Class B Stock on that date on the New York Stock Exchange, or pay all or part of that value in cash, at the election of the participant. The shares or cash will be 100% vested at that time. The Company’s performance in fiscal years 2001 to 2003 corresponded to an LTIP payout of 80% of the target awards for the performance period that ended on May 31, 2003.

 

15


Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table summarizes equity compensation plans approved by shareholders and equity compensation plans that were not approved by the shareholders as of May 31, 2003:

 

Plan category


  

(a)

Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights


  

(b)

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights


  

(c)

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))


Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders (1)

   19,388,770    $ 44.82    9,657,733

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (2)

   320,000      42.63    1,000,000
    
  

  

Total

   19,708,770    $ 44.14    10,657,733
    
  

  

(1)   Includes 19,388,770 outstanding subject to the 1990 Stock Incentive Plan. Includes 6,080,406 available for future issuance under the 1990 Stock Incentive Plan, 903,909 available for future issuance under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and 2,673,418 available for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

(2)   The Company has granted to a few consultants and directors nonqualified options to purchase NIKE Class B Stock. The options have terms ranging from 8 to 10 years, expiring at various times from 2003 to 2009, with exercise prices ranging from $12.03 to $55.81. All of the options are exercisable. In 2003 the Company adopted the Foreign Subsidiary Employee Stock Purchase Plan for foreign employees. Includes 1,000,000 shares available for future issuance under the Foreign Subsidiary Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

16


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the following Performance Graph and the Report of the Compensation Committee below shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

 

Performance Graph

 

The following graph demonstrates a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for NIKE’s Class B Stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, and the Standard & Poor’s Footwear and Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods Indices. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on May 31, 1998 in each of the Company’s Common Stock, and the stocks comprising the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard & Poor’s Footwear and Apparel and Accessories Indices. Each of the indices assumes that all dividends were reinvested.

 

COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG NIKE, INC., S&P 500 INDEX,

S&P FOOTWEAR INDEX AND S&P APPAREL, ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS INDEX

 

LOGO

 

The Standard & Poor’s Footwear Index consists of NIKE and Reebok International. The Standard & Poor’s Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods Index consists of Liz Claiborne, Inc., VF Corp., and Jones Apparel. The Standard & Poor’s Footwear and Apparel, Accessories, and Luxury Goods Indices include companies in two major lines of business in which the Company competes. The indices do not encompass all of the Company’s competitors, nor all product categories and lines of business in which the Company is engaged. Because NIKE is part of the S&P Footwear Index, the price and returns of NIKE stock affect this index.

 

The Stock Performance shown on the Graph above is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The Company will not make nor endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.

 

17


REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD

OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, determines the compensation of the Company’s five most highly compensated executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, and oversees the administration of executive compensation programs, except that stock option grants, and targets and awards under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan are made by the Compensation Plan Subcommittee (the “Subcommittee”), which is composed of outside directors.

 

Executive Compensation Policies and Programs.    The Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain highly qualified executives and to motivate them to maximize shareholder returns by achieving both short- and long-term strategic Company goals. The programs link each executive’s compensation directly to individual and Company performance. A significant portion of each executive’s total compensation is variable and dependent upon the attainment of strategic and financial goals, individual performance objectives, and the appreciation in value of the Common Stock.

 

There are three basic components to the Company’s “pay for performance” system: base pay; annual incentive bonus; and long-term incentive compensation. Each component is addressed in the context of individual and Company performance, competitive conditions and equity among employees. In determining competitive compensation levels, the Company analyzes information from several independent surveys that include information regarding the general industry as well as other consumer product companies. Since the Company’s market for executive talent extends beyond the sports industry, the survey data includes global name-brand consumer product companies with sales in excess of $2 billion. A comparison of the Company’s financial performance with that of the companies and indices shown in the Performance Graph is only one of many factors considered by the Committee to determine executive compensation.

 

Base Pay.    Base pay is designed to be competitive, although conservative (generally in the second or third quartile) as compared to salary levels for equivalent executive positions at other global consumer product companies. An executive’s actual salary within this competitive framework will vary based on responsibilities, experience, leadership, potential future contribution, and demonstrated individual performance (measured against strategic management objectives such as maintaining customer satisfaction, developing innovative products, strengthening market share and profitability, and expanding the markets for the Company’s products). The types and relative importance of specific financial and other business objectives vary among the Company’s executives depending on their positions and the particular operations or functions for which they are responsible. The Company’s philosophy and practice is to place a relatively greater emphasis on the incentive components of compensation.

 

18


Annual Incentive Bonus.    Each executive is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan. The “target” level for that bonus, like the base salary level, is set with reference to Company-wide bonus programs, as well as competitive conditions. These target levels are intended to motivate the Company’s executives by providing substantial bonus payments for the achievement of financial goals within the Company’s business plan. An executive receives a percentage of his or her target bonus depending on the extent to which the Company achieves financial performance goals set by the Subcommittee, as measured by the Company’s net income before taxes. Bonuses may exceed the target if the Company’s performance exceeds the goal.

 

Long-Term Incentive Compensation.    The long-term compensation program is tied directly to shareholder return. Under the current program, long-term incentive compensation consists of stock options, 25% of which vest in each of the four years after grant, and performance-based stock or cash awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

 

Stock options are awarded with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Class B Stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, the executive is rewarded only if the market price of the Class B Stock appreciates. Since options vest over time, the Company periodically grants new options to provide continuing incentives for future performance. The size of previous grants and the number of options held are considered by the Subcommittee, but are not entirely determinative of future grants. Like base pay, the grant is set with regard to competitive considerations, and each executive’s actual grant is based upon individual performance measured against the criteria described in the preceding paragraphs and the executive’s potential for future contributions.

 

Under the LTIP, the Subcommittee has established a series of performance targets corresponding to awards of stock or cash ranging from 10% to 150% of the target awards. The performance targets have been based on revenues and earnings per share for performance periods of three years, in order to provide an incentive to achieve the Company’s longer-term performance goals. If performance targets are achieved, shares of stock or cash issued to executives are fully vested upon payment.

 

Stock options and performance-based stock and cash awards under the LTIP are designed to align the interests of the Company’s executives with those of shareholders by encouraging executives to enhance the value of the Company and, hence, the price of the Class B Stock and the shareholders’ return. In addition, through deferred vesting and three-year performance periods, this component of the compensation system is designed to create an incentive for the individual executive to remain with the Company.

 

Other Plans.    The Company maintains combined profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, a non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, and Employee Stock Purchase Plans. Under the profit sharing retirement plan, the Company annually contributes to a trust on behalf of employees, including executive officers, an amount that in the past five fiscal years has equaled an annual contribution of between 3.29% to 4.09% of each employee’s earnings. The percentage is determined by the Board of Directors.

 

19


For fiscal 2003, under the terms of the profit sharing plan, each employee, including each executive officer, received a contribution to his or her plan account of 3.1971% of the employee’s total eligible salary and bonus up to $200,000. Under the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan, employees, including executive officers, whose total eligible salary and bonus exceeds $200,000 receive a supplemental profit sharing contribution into a nonqualified deferred compensation account in an amount equal to the additional contribution they would have received under the profit sharing plan if not for the $200,000 cap on salary and bonus considered for purposes of that plan as required under IRS regulations. Accordingly, those employees each received supplemental contributions equal to 3.1971% of their eligible salary and bonus in excess of $200,000. These profit sharing plans serve to retain employees and executives, since funds do not fully vest until after five years of employment with the Company.

 

Under the 401(k) retirement plan, the Company contributes up to 4% of each employee’s earnings as a matching contribution for pre-tax salary deferred into the plan. This matching contribution is initially invested in Class B Stock, which strengthens the linkage between employee and shareholder interests.

 

The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The ESPP allows employees to defer up to 10% of their annual compensation for purchases of Class B Stock, subject to certain limitations. The stock is purchased every six months at 85% of the lower of the price of the stock at the beginning and end of the six-month period. Pursuant to the Foreign Subsidiary Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company offers and sells Class B Stock on substantially identical terms to employees of selected non-U.S. subsidiaries. These plans are intended to encourage employee investment in the Company and to provide an incentive for employees to increase shareholder returns.

 

Annual Reviews.    Each year, the Committee reviews the executive compensation policies with respect to the linkage between executive compensation and the creation of shareholder value, as well as the competitiveness of the programs. The Committee determines what changes, if any, are appropriate in the compensation programs for the following year. In conducting the annual review, the Committee considers information provided by Human Resources staff and uses surveys and reports prepared by independent compensation consultants.

 

Each year, the Committee, with the Chairman and Human Resources staff, reviews the individual performance of each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers, and the Chairman’s recommendations with respect to the appropriate compensation levels and awards. The Subcommittee sets performance and bonus targets, and certifies awards, under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan and the LTIP, and makes stock option grants and restricted stock awards. The Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval of all other compensation matters. The Committee also reviews with the Chairman and the Human Resources staff the financial and other strategic objectives, such as those identified above, for each of the named executive officers for the following year.

 

20


For fiscal year 2003, the Company met targeted performance objectives set for named executive officers sufficient for a payout under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan. This resulted from increased profitability due to aligning costs with revenues, and sales increases in key product categories and markets, more than offsetting reductions in others. Furthermore, the Company’s competitive position in the industry remained strong. The Company’s financial performance corresponded to bonuses of 94.4% of the individual target bonuses under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan, and 80% of the individual target payouts under the three-year LTIP.

 

Chief Executive Officer.    In reviewing Mr. Knight’s performance, the Committee focused primarily on the Company’s performance in fiscal year 2003, which resulted in better earnings compared to the performance of the previous year. The Committee noted continued progress toward the achievement of various strategic objectives such as earnings growth, operational efficiencies, and growth in key product categories and regions. The Committee also considered the other factors described above. Consistent with the plans, Mr. Knight received a bonus of $1,121,840 under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan, $320,000 under the LTIP, and no stock option awards. The Committee increased Mr. Knight’s base salary 3.7% to $1,400,000 for the 2004 fiscal year.

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.    In 2000 shareholders re-approved the Executive Performance Sharing Plan and the stock option plan, and in 2002 they re-approved the LTIP. It is proposed that shareholders amend and re-approve the stock option plan this year. The plans are each designed to satisfy the performance-based exception to the Section 162(m) limitation on deductibility with respect to incentive compensation for named executive officers, except that restricted stock bonuses do not qualify as performance based.

 

Members of the Compensation Committee:

 

Ralph D. DeNunzio, Chairman

Jeanne P. Jackson

John E. Jaqua

A. Michael Spence

John R. Thompson, Jr.

 

Personnel Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003 are listed above. The Committee is composed solely of non-employee directors. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003, the Company paid Jeanne Jackson $120,000 for consulting services. Effective January 1, 2003, the consulting arrangement for Ms. Jackson was terminated. The Company does not expect to pay Ms. Jackson for consulting services during fiscal year 2004.

 

21


Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

An agreement between the Company President of the NIKE Brand Mark G. Parker that extends for one year following the termination of his employment with the Company. The agreement provides that if Mr. Parker voluntarily resigns, the Company will make monthly payments to him during the one-year noncompetition period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $20,833 or (ii) one-twenty-fourth of the total salary and bonuses received by Mr. Parker during the 12-month period immediately preceding his resignation. The agreement provides further that if Mr. Parker’s employment is terminated by the Company, the Company will make monthly payments to him during the one-year noncompetition period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $41,667 or (ii) one-twelfth of the total salary and bonuses received by Mr. Parker during the 12-month period immediately preceding his termination. If Mr. Parker is terminated without cause, the parties may mutually agree to waive the covenant not to compete, and if Mr. Parker is terminated for cause, the Company may unilaterally waive the covenant. If the covenant is waived, the Company will not be required to make the payments described above for the months as to which the waiver applies.

 

The Company has a similar agreement with President of NIKE Brand, Mr. Charles D. Denson, that extends for one year following the termination of his employment with the Company. The agreement provides that if his employment is terminated by the Company, the Company will make monthly payments to him during the one-year noncompetition period in an amount equal to his last monthly salary. The agreement provides further that if he voluntarily resigns, the Company will make monthly payments to him during the one-year noncompetition period in an amount equal to one-half of his last monthly salary. If Mr. Denson is terminated without cause, the parties may mutually agree to waive the covenant not to compete, and if Mr. Denson is terminated for cause, the Company may unilaterally waive the covenant. If the covenant is waived, the Company will not be required to make the payments described above for the months as to which the waiver applies.

 

The Company has an employment agreement and a covenant not to compete with Vice President Mindy Grossman that has been renewed for a three-year term as of September 28, 2003. Under the new agreement, the Company will pay certain travel expenses for her and her family between New York City and Beaverton, Oregon, her target bonus under the Executive Performance Sharing Plan for fiscal 2004 and thereafter was set at 75 percent of her annual salary, and her target award level under the Long-Term Incentive Plan for all awards made in or after fiscal 2004 was set at $400,000. Ms. Grossman will receive a grant of restricted stock on September 28, 2003 with a value of $750,000 based on the market price on that date, which will vest with respect to one-third of the shares on the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. During the term of her contract, she is to be granted an option to purchase at least 30,000 shares of Class B Stock each year, which will generally vest with respect to 25% of each option on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. If Ms. Grossman’s employment is terminated (i) without cause, (ii) by her for good reason, or (iii) due to disability, she will receive severance payments equal to one times her final annual salary and 60% of the salary earned year-to-date in the fiscal year of termination, and her

 

22


initial option and restricted stock grants will be fully vested. In addition, if Ms. Grossman’s employment with the Company is terminated, the Company will make monthly payments to her during a one-year period of a covenant not to compete in an amount equal to her last monthly salary. The Company may unilaterally waive the covenant not to compete. If the covenant is waived, the Company will not be required to make the payments described above for the months as to which the waiver applies.

 

Certain Transactions and Business Relationships

 

During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003, the Company paid Jeanne Jackson $120,000 for consulting services. Effective January 1, 2003, the consulting arrangement for Ms. Jackson was terminated. Accordingly, the Company does not expect to pay Ms. Jackson for consulting services during fiscal year 2004.

 

Indebtedness of Management

 

In 1994 the Company loaned $500,000 at 5.65% per annum to President of New Business Ventures Thomas E. Clarke for the purchase of a second home. The loan is secured by the second home, and must be repaid within 180 days following termination of employment. As an inducement to remain employed by the Company, the Company agreed to forgive $100,000 of the loan commencing January 1, 2000 and on each of the four anniversary dates thereafter, provided that Dr. Clarke remains employed by the Company. In May 2003, the company forgave the remaining $100,000 balance of the loan, approximately seven months ahead of schedule.

 

23


PROPOSAL 2

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE NIKE, INC.

1990 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Board of Directors believes that the availability of stock options and other stock-based incentives under the Company’s 1990 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is important to the Company’s ability to attract and retain experienced employees and to provide an incentive for them to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company. As of May 31, 2003, out of a total of 37,500,000 shares of Class B Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, 6,080,406 shares remained available for grant. The Board of Directors believes additional shares will be needed under the Plan to provide appropriate incentives to key employees. Accordingly, on June 20, 2003 the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to reserve an additional 12,500,000 shares of Class B Stock for the Plan, thereby increasing the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan from 37,500,000 to 50,000,000 shares. The additional 12,500,000 shares proposed for issuance under the Plan represent 4.7% of the total outstanding Class A Stock and Class B Stock as of July 25, 2003. In addition, shareholder approval of this proposal will constitute reapproval of the per-employee limit on grants of options and stock appreciation rights under the Plan of 200,000 shares annually. This reapproval is required every five years for continued

compliance with regulations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). See “Tax Consequences.”

 

The complete text of the Plan, marked to show the proposed amendment, is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A. The following description of the Plan is a summary of certain provisions and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit A.

 

Description of the Plan

 

Eligibility.    All employees, officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as consultants, advisors and independent contractors to the Company, are eligible to be selected for awards under the Plan. The number of persons who currently hold options granted under the Plan is approximately 3,200.

 

Administration.    The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Committee may promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the Plan and related agreements and generally supervises the administration of the Plan. The Committee determines the individuals to whom awards are made under the Plan, the amount of the awards, and the other terms and conditions of the awards, except that the Committee has delegated to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to grant awards with respect to a maximum of 50,000 shares to any eligible employee who is not at the time of such grant subject to the reporting requirements and liability provisions contained in

 

24


Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations thereunder. The Committee may also advance the period, accelerate any exercise date, waive or modify any restriction with respect to an award, or give an individual an election to surrender an existing award in exchange for the grant of a new award.

 

Term of Plan.    The Plan will continue until all shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The Board of Directors has the power to suspend, terminate, modify or amend the Plan at any time.

 

Stock Options.    The Committee may grant stock options to eligible individuals under the Plan. The Committee will determine the individuals to whom options will be granted, the exercise price of each option, the number of shares to be covered by each option, the period of each option, the times at which each option may be exercised, and whether each option is an Incentive Stock Option (intended to meet all of the requirements of an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code) or a non-statutory stock option. If an option is an Incentive Stock Option, the exercise price must be at least 100 percent of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. If a grantee of an Incentive Stock Option at the time of grant owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the exercise price may not be less than 110 percent of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. If the option is a non-statutory stock option, the exercise price may not be less than 75 percent of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. For purposes of determining the exercise price of options granted under the Plan, the fair market value of the Class B Stock will be deemed to be the closing price of the Class B Stock as reported in the NYSE-Composite Transactions in The Wall Street Journal, or such other reported value of the Class B Stock as shall be specified by the Committee, on the last trading day preceding the date of grant. No monetary consideration will be paid to the Company upon the granting of options.

 

Options may be granted for varying periods established at the time of grant, not to exceed 10 years from the date of grant for Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options are nontransferable except in the event of the death of the holder. The Committee has discretion to allow non-statutory stock options to be transferred to immediate family members of the optionee, subject to certain limitations. Options will be exercisable in accordance with the terms of an option agreement entered into at the time of the grant. In the event of the death or other termination of an optionee’s employment with the Company, the Plan provides that the optionee’s options may be exercised for specified periods thereafter (one year in the case of termination by reason of death or disability and three months in the case of termination for any other reason). The Plan also provides that upon any termination of employment, the Committee may extend the exercise period for any period up to the expiration date of the option and may increase the portion of the option that is exercisable.

 

The purchase price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of options must be paid in cash, including cash that may be the proceeds of a loan from the Company, or, with the consent of the

 

25


Committee, in whole or in part in shares of Class B Stock. With the consent of the Committee, an optionee may request the Company to apply the shares to be received on exercise of a portion of an option to satisfy the exercise price for additional portions of the option. Upon the exercise of an option, the number of shares subject to the option and the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan will be reduced by the number of shares issued upon exercise of the option. Option shares that are not purchased prior to the expiration, termination or cancellation of the related option will become available for future awards under the Plan.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights.    The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to eligible individuals under the Plan. SARs may, but need not, be granted in connection with an option. An SAR gives the holder the right to payment from the Company of an amount equal in value to the excess of the fair market value on the date of exercise of one share of Class B Stock over its fair market value on the date of grant (or, if granted in connection with an option, the exercise price per share under the option to which the SAR relates), multiplied by the number of shares covered by the portion of the SAR or option that is surrendered. The fair market value of the Class B Stock on the date of exercise shall be deemed to be the closing price of the Class B Stock as reported in the NYSE-Composite Transactions in The Wall Street Journal, or such other reported value of the Class B Stock as shall be specified by the Committee, on the date of exercise, or if such date is not a trading day, then on the immediately preceding trading day. An SAR holder will not pay the Company any cash consideration upon either the grant or exercise of an SAR, except for tax withholding amounts upon exercise.

 

An SAR is exercisable only at the time or times established by the Committee. If an SAR is granted in connection with an option, it is exercisable only to the extent and on the same conditions that the related option is exercisable. Payment by the Company upon exercise of an SAR may be made in shares of Class B Stock valued at fair market value, or in cash, or partly in stock and partly in cash, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may withdraw any SAR granted under the Plan at any time and may impose any conditions upon the exercise of an SAR or adopt rules and regulations from time to time affecting he rights of holders of SARs. If an SAR is not exercised prior to the expiration, termination or cancellation of the SAR, the unissued shares subject to the SAR will become available for future awards under the Plan. Cash payments for SARs will not reduce the number of shares available for awards under the Plan. The existence of exercisable SARs will require the Company to make periodic charges against the Company’s income to the extent of the amount of appreciation, if any, in the market value of the Class B Stock over the exercise price of shares subject to such SARs. No SARs have been granted under the Plan.

 

Stock Bonuses.    The Committee may award Class B Stock to eligible individuals as stock bonuses under the Plan. The Committee will determine the individuals to receive stock bonuses, the number of shares to be awarded and the time of the award. No cash consideration (other than tax withholding amounts) will be paid by bonus recipients to the Company in connection with stock bonuses. Shares received as a stock bonus may be subject to terms, conditions and restrictions as determined by the

 

26


Committee. Restrictions may include restrictions concerning transferability, forfeiture of the shares issued, or such other restrictions as the Committee may determine. Stock bonus shares that are forfeited to the Company will be available for future grant under the Plan.

 

Restricted Stock.    The Committee may award restricted shares to eligible individuals in such amounts, for such consideration (including promissory notes and services), subject to such restrictions, and on such terms as the Committee may determine. Restrictions may include restrictions concerning transferability, repurchase by the Company, forfeiture of the shares issued, or such other restrictions as the Committee may determine. No restricted shares may be issued for consideration that is less than 75 percent of the fair market value of such shares at the time of issuance. Restricted shares that are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company will be available for future grant under the Plan.

 

Acceleration in Certain Events.    The Plan provides for automatic acceleration of the vesting of options and SARs granted under the Plan in the event that the shareholders of the Company approve (i) certain transactions involving the Company and pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving entity or pursuant to which the Common Stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities, or other property, (ii) a sale or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (iii) adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company. Such acceleration may also be effected at the discretion of the Committee in the event of a merger, consolidation or plan of exchange in which the Company is the surviving entity. These provisions relating to acceleration may, in certain circumstances, tend to discourage attempts to acquire the Company.

 

The Plan also provides for automatic acceleration of options and related SARs held by any employee whose employment is terminated by reason of death, disability, or “retirement” as defined in the Plan.

 

Corporate Mergers.    The Committee may make awards under the Plan that have terms and conditions that vary from those specified in the Plan when such awards are granted in substitution for, or in connection with the assumption of, existing awards made by another corporation and assumed or otherwise agreed to be provided for by the Company in connection with a corporate merger or other similar transaction to which the Company or an affiliated Company is a party.

 

Tax Consequences

 

Certain options authorized to be granted under the Plan are intended to qualify as “Incentive Stock Options” for federal income tax purposes. Under federal income tax law in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, an optionee will recognize no regular income upon grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. The amount by which the market value of shares issued upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option exceeds the exercise price, however, is included in the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income and may, under certain conditions, be taxed under the alternative minimum tax. If an optionee exercises an

 

27


Incentive Stock Option and does not dispose of any of the shares thereby acquired within two years following the date of grant and within one year following the date of exercise, then any gain realized upon subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as income from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If an optionee disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option before the expiration of either the one-year holding period or the two-year holding period specified in the foregoing sentence (a “disqualifying disposition”), the optionee will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price or (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition over the option price. Any additional gain realized upon the disqualifying disposition will constitute capital gain. The Company will not be allowed any deduction for federal income tax purposes at either the time of grant or the time of exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. Upon any disqualifying disposition by an optionee, the Company will generally be entitled to a deduction to the extent the optionee realizes ordinary income.

 

Certain options authorized to be granted under the Plan will be treated as non-statutory stock options for federal income tax purposes. Under federal income tax law in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, no income is realized by the grantee of a non-statutory stock option until the option is exercised. At the time of exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the optionee will realize ordinary income, and the Company will generally be entitled to a deduction, in the amount by which the fair market value of the shares subject to the option at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price. The Company is required to withhold income taxes on such income if the optionee is an employee. Upon the sale of shares acquired upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the optionee will realize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized from the sale and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.

 

An individual who receives stock under the Plan will generally realize ordinary income at the time of receipt unless the shares are not substantially vested for purposes of Section 83 of the Code. Absent an election under Section 83(b), an individual who receives shares that are not substantially vested will realize ordinary income in each year in which a portion of the shares substantially vests. The amount of ordinary income recognized in any such year will be the fair market value of the shares that substantially vest in that year less any consideration paid for the shares. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the amount includable as ordinary income by the recipient at the same time or times as the recipient recognizes ordinary income with respect to the shares. The Company is required to withhold income taxes on such income if the recipient is an employee.

 

Section 162(m) of the Code limits to $1,000,000 per person the amount that the Company may deduct for compensation paid to any of its most highly compensated officers in any year. Under IRS regulations, compensation received through the exercise of an option or stock appreciation right will not be subject to the $1,000,000 limit if the option or stock appreciation right and the plan pursuant to which it is granted meet certain requirements. One requirement is shareholder approval at least once every five years of a per-

 

28


employee limit on the number of shares as to which options and stock appreciation rights may be granted. Approval of this Proposal 2 will constitute reapproval of the per-employee limit under the Plan previously approved by the shareholders. Other requirements are that the option or stock appreciation right be granted by a committee of at least two outside directors and that the exercise price of the option or stock appreciation right be not less than fair market value of the Class B Stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, the Company believes that if this proposal is approved by shareholders, compensation received on exercise of options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan in compliance with all of the above requirements will continue to be exempt from the $1,000,000 deduction limit.

 

Board Recommendation

 

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR approval of the amendments to the Plan. Holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock will vote together as a single class on Proposal 2. If holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock vote on the proposal, Proposal 2 will be adopted if a majority of the votes cast are cast for the proposal. Abstentions are considered votes cast and have the same effect as “no” votes in determining whether the proposal is adopted. Broker non-votes are not counted as voted on the proposal and therefore have no effect on the results of the vote.

 

29


PROPOSAL 3

 

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants to examine the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2004 and to render other professional services as required.

 

The Audit Committee is submitting the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to shareholders for ratification.

 

Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers will be present at the Annual Meeting and are expected to be available to respond to questions.

 

Aggregate fees billed by the Company’s principal accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for audit services related to the most recent two fiscal years, and for other professional services billed in the most recent two fiscal years, were as follows:

 

Type of Service


   2003

   2002

Audit Fees (1)

   $ 2.4 million    $ 1.9 million

Audit-Related Fees (2)

   $ 0.4 million    $ 0.7 million

Tax Fees (3)

   $ 2.8 million    $ 2.3 million

Supply Chain System Development and Training Fees (4)

   $ 2.8 million    $ 11.0 million

Miscellaneous Service Fees (5)

   $ 0.8 million    $ 3.2 million
    

  

All Other Fees

   $ 3.6 million    $ 14.2 million
    

  

Total

   $ 9.2 million    $ 19.1 million
    

  


(1)   Comprised of the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and reviews of the Company’s quarterly financial statements, as well as statutory audits of Company subsidiaries, attest services, comfort letters and consents to SEC filings.

 

(2)   Comprised of employee benefit plan audits, acquisition due diligence, and consultations regarding financial accounting and reporting.

 

(3)   Comprised of services for tax compliance, tax return preparation, tax advice, and tax planning.

 

(4)   Beginning in late 1998, NIKE commenced a multi-year, $400 million project to replace and upgrade its supply chain systems, including design, production, sales, distribution and finance. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was chosen through a competitive bidding process as one of several major contractors to work on a portion of that project. In October 2002, the Business Consulting Services unit of International Business Machines Corporation acquired the consulting division of PricewaterhouseCoopers working on the supply chain project. Accordingly, such services are no longer performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the amounts in the above table related to those projects for 2003 only include amounts billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers through October 2002.

 

30


(5)   Fiscal 2003 comprised of services for labor and corporate responsibility audits ($0.3 million) and other miscellaneous services ($0.5 million). Fiscal 2002 comprised of consulting services on a sales incentive project ($2.2 million), labor and corporate responsibility audits ($0.5 million) and other miscellaneous services ($0.5 million). Costs for services for labor and corporate responsibility audits declined between fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 because the Company began engaging internal personnel to perform some of these services.

 

In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit Committee established policies and procedures under which all audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s principal accountants must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee. As provided in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, all audit and non-audit services to be provided after May 6, 2003 must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with these policies and procedures. Based in part on consideration of the non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers during fiscal year 2003, the Audit Committee determined that such non-audit services were compatible with maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

 

31


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the following Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee has:

 

    Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management.

 

    Discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61.

 

    Received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence.

 

    Based on the review and discussions above, recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Members of the Audit Committee:

 

Alan B. Graf, Jr., Chairman

Charles W. Robinson

A. Michael Spence

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

As of the time this proxy statement was printed, management was unaware of any proposals to be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth herein, but if other matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented by such proxy according to their best judgment.

 

32


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

A proposal by a shareholder for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by John F. Coburn III, Assistant Secretary of NIKE, at One Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005-6453, on or before April 17, 2004 in order to be eligible for inclusion. Rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 describe standards as to the submission of shareholder proposals. In addition, the Company’s bylaws require that any shareholder wishing to make a nomination for Director, or wishing to introduce a proposal or other business at a shareholder meeting must give the Company at least 60 days’ advance written notice, and that notice must meet certain requirements described in the bylaws.

 

For the Board of Directors

 

LINDSAY D. STEWART

SECRETARY

 

33


EXHIBIT A

 

NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan*

 

1.    Purpose.    The purpose of this Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to enable NIKE, Inc. (the “Company”) to attract and retain as directors, officers, employees, consultants, advisors and independent contractors people of initiative and ability and to provide additional incentives to such persons.

 

2.    Shares Subject to the Plan.    Subject to adjustment as provided below and in paragraph 10, the shares to be offered under the Plan shall consist of Class B Common Stock of the Company (“Shares”), and the total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed [thirty-seven million five hundred thousand (37,500,000)] fifty million (50,000,000) Shares. If an option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled, the unissued Shares subject to such option or stock appreciation right shall again be available under the Plan. If Shares sold or awarded as a bonus under the Plan are forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company, the number of Shares forfeited or repurchased shall again be available under the Plan.

 

3.    Effective Date and Duration of Plan.

 

(a)    Effective Date.    The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company. However, no option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan shall become exercisable until the Plan is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock of the Company represented at a shareholders meeting at which a quorum is present and any awards under the Plan prior to such approval shall be conditioned on and subject to such approval. Subject to this limitation, options and stock appreciation rights may be granted and Shares may be awarded as bonuses or sold under the Plan at any time after the effective date and before termination of the Plan.

 

(b)    Duration.    The Plan shall continue in effect until all Shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such Shares have lapsed. The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time except with respect to options and Shares subject to restrictions then outstanding under the Plan. Termination shall not affect any outstanding options, any right of the Company to repurchase Shares or the forfeitability of Shares issued under the Plan.

 

4.    Administration.

 

The Plan shall be administered by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company consisting of not less than two directors (the “Committee”), which shall determine and designate from time to time the individuals to whom awards shall be made, the amount of the awards and the other terms and


*   Matter in bold and underlined is new; matter in brackets and italics is to be deleted.

 

A-1


conditions of the awards, except that only the Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan as provided in paragraphs 3 and 13. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may from time to time adopt and amend rules and regulations relating to administration of the Plan, advance the lapse of any waiting period, accelerate any exercise date, waive or modify any restriction applicable to Shares (except those restrictions imposed by law) and make all other determinations in the judgment of the Committee necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The interpretation and construction of the provisions of the Plan and related agreements by the Committee shall be final and conclusive. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any related agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect, and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Paragraph 4, the Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company the authority to grant awards with respect to a maximum of 50,000 Shares to any eligible employee who is not, at the time of such grant, subject to the reporting requirements and liability provisions contained in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the regulations thereunder.

 

5.    Types of Awards; Eligibility.    The Committee may, from time to time, take the following action, separately or in combination, under the Plan: (i) grant Incentive Stock Options, as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), as provided in paragraph 6(b); (ii) grant options other than Incentive Stock Options (“Non-Statutory Stock Options”) as provided in paragraph 6(c); (iii) award stock bonuses as provided in paragraph 7; (iv) sell shares subject to restrictions as provided in paragraph 8; and (v) grant stock appreciation rights as provided in paragraph 9. Any such awards may be made to employees, including employees who are officers or directors, of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company and to other individuals described in paragraph 1 who the Committee believes have made or will make an important contribution to the Company or its subsidiaries; provided, however, that only employees of the Company shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. The Committee shall select the individuals to whom awards shall be made. The Committee shall specify the action taken with respect to each individual to whom an award is made under the Plan. At the discretion of the Committee, an individual may be given an election to surrender an award in exchange for the grant of a new award. No employee may be granted options or stock appreciation rights under the Plan for more than 200,000 Shares in any calendar year.

 

6.    Option Grants.

 

(a)    Grant.    The Committee may grant options under the Plan. With respect to each option grant, the Committee shall determine the number of Shares subject to the option, the option price, the period of the option, the time or times at which the option may be exercised and whether the option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.

 

A-2


(b)    Incentive Stock Options.    Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)    An Incentive Stock Option may be granted under the Plan to an employee possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary of the Company only if the option price is at least 110 percent of the fair market value of the Shares subject to the option on the date it is granted, as described in paragraph 6(b)(iii), and the option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date it is granted.

 

(ii)    Subject to paragraphs 6(b)(i) and 6(d), Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall continue in effect for the period fixed by the Committee, except that no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date it is granted.

 

(iii)    The option price per share shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. Subject to paragraph 6(b)(i), the option price shall not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the Shares covered by the Incentive Stock Option at the date the option is granted. The fair market value shall be deemed to be the closing price of the Class B Common Stock of the Company as reported in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions in the Wall Street Journal on the day preceding the date the option is granted, or if there has been no sale on that date, on the last preceding date on which a sale occurred, or such other reported value of the Class B Common Stock of the Company as shall be specified by the Committee.

 

(iv)    No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted on or after the tenth anniversary of the last action by the Board of Directors approving an increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, which action was subsequently approved within 12 months by the shareholders.

 

(c)    Non-Statutory Stock Options.    The option price for Non-Statutory Stock Options shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The option price may not be less than 75 percent of the fair market value of the Shares covered by the Non-Statutory Stock Option on the date the option is granted. The fair market value of Shares covered by a Non-Statutory Stock Option shall be determined pursuant to paragraph 6(b)(iii).

 

(d)    Exercise of Options.    Except as provided in paragraph 6(f), no option granted under the Plan may be exercised unless at the time of such exercise the optionee is employed by the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company and shall have been so employed continuously since the date such option was granted. Absence on leave or on account of illness or disability under rules established by the Committee shall not, however, be deemed an interruption of employment for this purpose. Except as provided in paragraphs 6(f), 10 and 11, options granted under the Plan may be exercised from time to time over the period stated in each option in such amounts and at such times as shall be

 

A-3


prescribed by the Committee, provided that options shall not be exercised for fractional shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if the optionee does not exercise an option in any one year with respect to the full number of Shares to which the optionee is entitled in that year, the optionee’s rights shall be cumulative and the optionee may purchase those Shares in any subsequent year during the term of the option.

 

(e)    Nontransferability.    Except as provided below, each stock option granted under the Plan by its terms shall be nonassignable and nontransferable by the optionee, either voluntarily or by operation of law, and each option by its terms shall be exercisable during the optionee’s lifetime only by the optionee. A stock option may be transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the state or country of the optionee’s domicile at the time of death. A Non-Statutory Stock Option shall also be transferable pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined under the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted to an optionee to be on terms which permit transfer by the optionee to (i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the optionee (“Immediate Family Members”), (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a partnership in which Immediate Family Members are the only partners, provided that (x) there may be no consideration for any transfer, (y) the stock option agreement pursuant to which the options are granted must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this paragraph, and (z) subsequent transfers of transferred options shall be prohibited except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following any transfer, options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of paragraphs 6(d), 6(g), 10 and 11 the term “optionee” shall be deemed to refer to the transferee. The events of termination of employment of paragraph 6(f), shall continue to be applied with respect to the original optionee, following which the options shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, and all other references to employment, termination of employment, life or death of the optionee, shall continue to be applied with respect to the original optionee.

 

(f)    Termination of Employment or Death.

 

(i)    Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, in the event the employment of the optionee by the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company terminates for any reason other than because of retirement, physical disability or death, the option may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration date of the option or the expiration of three months after the date of such termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period, but only if and to the extent the optionee was entitled to exercise the option at the date of such termination.

 

(ii)    Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, in the event the employment of the optionee by the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company terminates as a result of the optionee’s retirement, the option may be exercised by the optionee to the extent specified in this

 

A-4


paragraph 6(f)(ii) at any time prior to the expiration date of the option or the expiration of three months after the date of such termination of employment, whichever is the shorter period. For purposes of this paragraph 6(f), “retirement” means a termination of employment that occurs at a time when (A) the optionee’s retirement point total is at least 55, and (B) the optionee has at least five full years of service as an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company. For purposes of this paragraph 6(f), “retirement point total” means the sum of the optionee’s age in full years plus the optionee’s full years of service as an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company. Upon retirement, the optionee may exercise the portion of the option that the optionee was entitled to exercise immediately prior to retirement plus a percentage of the remaining unvested portion of the option based on the optionee’s retirement point total at the time of retirement as set forth in the following table:

 

Retirement Point Total


 

Percent of Unvested Option

That Becomes Exercisable


55 or 56   20%
57   40%
58   60%
59   80%
60   100%

 

(iii)    Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, in the event the employment of the optionee by the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company terminates because the optionee becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the option may be exercised by the optionee free of the limitations on the amount that may be purchased in any one year specified in the option agreement at any time prior to the expiration date of the option or the expiration of one year after the date of such termination, whichever is the shorter period.

 

(iv)    Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, in the event of the death of the optionee while in the employ of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, the option may be exercised free of the limitations on the amount that may be purchased in any one year specified in the option agreement at any time prior to the expiration date of the option or the expiration of one year after the date of such death, whichever is the shorter period, but only by the person or persons to whom such optionee’s rights under the option shall pass by the optionee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the state or country of domicile at the time of death.

 

(v)    The Committee, at the time of grant or at any time thereafter, may extend the three-month and one-year expiration periods any length of time not later than the original expiration date of the option, and may increase the portion of an option that is exercisable, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.

 

A-5


(vi)    To the extent that the option of any deceased optionee or of any optionee whose employment terminates is not exercised within the applicable period, all further rights to purchase Shares pursuant to such option shall cease and terminate.

 

(g)    Purchase of Shares.    Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Shares may be acquired pursuant to an option granted under the Plan only upon receipt by the Company of notice in writing from the optionee of the optionee’s intention to exercise, specifying the number of Shares as to which the optionee desires to exercise the option and the date on which the optionee desires to complete the transaction, and if required in order to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, containing a representation that it is the optionee’s present intention to acquire the Shares for investment and not with a view to distribution. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, on or before the date specified for completion of the purchase of Shares pursuant to an option, the optionee must have paid the Company the full purchase price of such Shares in cash (including, with the consent of the Committee, cash that may be the proceeds of a loan from the Company) or with the consent of the Committee, in whole or in part, in Common Stock of the Company valued at fair market value. The fair market value of Common Stock of the Company provided in payment of the purchase price shall be the closing price of the Common Stock of the Company as reported in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions in the Wall Street Journal or such other reported value of the Common Stock of the Company as shall be specified by the Committee, on the date the option is exercised, or if such date is not a trading day, then on the immediately preceding trading day. No Shares shall be issued until full payment therefor has been made. With the consent of the Committee, an optionee may request the Company to apply automatically the Shares to be received upon the exercise of a portion of a stock option (even though stock certificates have not yet been issued) to satisfy the purchase price for additional portions of the option. Each optionee who has exercised an option shall immediately upon notification of the amount due, if any, pay to the Company in cash amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state and local tax withholding requirements. If additional withholding is or becomes required beyond any amount deposited before delivery of the certificates, the optionee shall pay such amount to the Company on demand. If the optionee fails to pay the amount demanded, the Company may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the Company to the optionee, including salary, subject to applicable law. With the consent of the Committee, an optionee may satisfy this obligation, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon the exercise that number of Shares that would satisfy the withholding amount due or by delivering Common Stock of the Company to the Company to satisfy the withholding amount. Upon the exercise of an option, the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of Shares issued upon exercise of the option.

 

7.    Stock Bonuses.    The Committee may award Shares under the Plan as stock bonuses. Shares awarded as a stock bonus shall be subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions determined by the Committee. The restrictions may include restrictions concerning transferability and forfeiture of the Shares awarded, together with such other restrictions as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee

 

A-6


may require the recipient to sign an agreement as a condition of the award, but may not require the recipient to pay any monetary consideration other than amounts necessary to satisfy tax withholding requirements. The agreement may contain any terms, conditions, restrictions, representations and warranties required by the Committee. The certificates representing the Shares awarded shall bear any legends required by the Committee. The Company may require any recipient of a stock bonus to pay to the Company in cash upon demand amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state or local tax withholding requirements. If the recipient fails to pay the amount demanded, the Company may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the Company to the recipient, including salary, subject to applicable law. With the consent of the Committee, a recipient may deliver Common Stock of the Company to the Company to satisfy this withholding obligation. Upon the issuance of a stock bonus, the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of Shares issued.

 

8.    Restricted Stock.    The Committee may issue Shares under the Plan for such consideration (including promissory notes and services) as determined by the Committee, provided that in no event shall the consideration be less than 75 percent of fair market value of the Shares at the time of issuance. Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions determined by the Committee. The restrictions may include restrictions concerning transferability, repurchase by the Company and forfeiture of the Shares issued, together with such other restrictions as may be determined by the Committee. All Shares issued pursuant to this paragraph 8 shall be subject to a purchase agreement, which shall be executed by the Company and the prospective recipient of the Shares prior to the delivery of certificates representing such Shares to the recipient. The purchase agreement may contain any terms, conditions, restrictions, representations and warranties required by the Committee. The certificates representing the Shares shall bear any legends required by the Committee. The Company may require any purchaser of restricted stock to pay to the Company in cash upon demand amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state or local tax withholding requirements. If the purchaser fails to pay the amount demanded, the Company may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the Company to the purchaser, including salary, subject to applicable law. With the consent of the Committee, a purchaser may deliver Common Stock of the Company to the Company to satisfy this withholding obligation. Upon the issuance of restricted stock, the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of Shares issued.

 

9.    Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)    Grant.    Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Plan by the Committee, subject to such rules, terms, and conditions as the Committee prescribes.

 

(b)    Exercise.

 

(i)    A stock appreciation right shall be exercisable only at the time or times established by the Committee. If a stock appreciation right is granted in connection with an option, the stock

 

A-7


appreciation right shall be exercisable only to the extent and on the same conditions that the related option could be exercised. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, any option or portion thereof to which the stock appreciation right relates terminates. If a stock appreciation right is granted in connection with an option, upon exercise of the option, the stock appreciation right or portion thereof to which the option relates terminates.

 

(ii)    The Committee may withdraw any stock appreciation right granted under the Plan at any time and may impose any conditions upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right or adopt rules and regulations from time to time affecting the rights of holders of stock appreciation rights. Such rules and regulations may govern the right to exercise stock appreciation rights granted before adoption or amendment of such rules and regulations as well as stock appreciation rights granted thereafter.

 

(iii)    Each stock appreciation right shall entitle the holder, upon exercise, to receive from the Company in exchange therefor an amount equal in value to the excess of the fair market value on the date of exercise of one share of Class B Common Stock of the Company over its fair market value on the date of grant (or, in the case of a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option, the option price per Share under the option to which the stock appreciation right relates), multiplied by the number of Shares covered by the stock appreciation right or the option, or portion thereof, that is surrendered. Payment by the Company upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be made in Shares valued at fair market value, in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash, all as determined by the Committee.

 

(iv)    For purposes of this paragraph 9, the fair market value of the Class B Common Stock of the Company on the date a stock appreciation right is exercised shall be the closing price of the Class B Common Stock of the Company as reported in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions in the Wall Street Journal, or such other reported value of the Class B Common Stock of the Company as shall be specified by the Committee, on the date the stock appreciation right is exercised, or if such date is not a trading day, then on the immediately preceding trading day.

 

(v)    No fractional shares shall be issued upon exercise of a stock appreciation right. In lieu thereof, cash shall be paid in an amount equal to the value of the fractional share.

 

(vi)    Each stock appreciation right granted under the Plan by its terms shall be nonassignable and nontransferable by the holder, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the state or county of the holder’s domicile at the time of death, and each stock appreciation right by its terms shall be exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder; provided, however, that a stock appreciation right not granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall also be transferable pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined under the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

 

A-8


(vii)    Each participant who has exercised a stock appreciation right shall, upon notification of the amount due, pay to the Company in cash amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state or local tax withholding requirements. If the participant fails to pay the amount demanded, the Company may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the Company to the participant including salary, subject to applicable law. With the consent of the Committee a participant may satisfy this obligation, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold from any Shares to be issued upon the exercise that number of Shares that would satisfy the withholding amount due or by delivering Common Stock of the Company to the Company to satisfy the withholding amount.

 

(viii)    Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right for Shares, the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of Shares issued. Cash payments of stock appreciation rights shall not reduce the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.

 

10.    Changes in Capital Structure.    If the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are hereafter increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company or of another corporation by reason of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, plan of exchange, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination of shares or dividend payable in shares, appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Committee in the number and kind of shares available for awards under the Plan, provided that this paragraph 10 shall not apply with respect to transactions referred to in paragraph 11. In addition, the Committee shall make appropriate adjustment in the number and kind of shares as to which outstanding options and stock appreciation rights, or portions thereof then unexercised, shall be exercisable, to the end that the optionee’s proportionate interest is maintained as before the occurrence of such event. The Committee may also require that any securities issued in respect of or exchanged for Shares issued hereunder that are subject to restrictions be subject to similar restrictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have no obligation to effect any adjustment that would or might result in the issuance of fractional shares, and any fractional shares resulting from any adjustment may be disregarded or provided for in any manner determined by the Committee. Any such adjustments made by the Committee shall be conclusive. In the event of a merger, consolidation or plan of exchange affecting the Company to which paragraph 11 does not apply, in lieu of providing for options and stock appreciation rights as provided above in this paragraph 10, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide a 30-day period prior to such event during which optionees shall have the right to exercise options and stock appreciation rights in whole or in part without any limitation on exercisability and upon the expiration of such 30-day period all unexercised options and stock appreciation rights shall immediately terminate.

 

11.    Special Acceleration in Certain Events.

 

(a)    Special Acceleration.    Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, a special acceleration (“Special Acceleration”) of options and stock appreciation rights outstanding under the Plan shall occur

 

A-9


with the effect set forth in paragraph 11(b) at any time when the shareholders of the Company approve one of the following (“Approved Transactions”):

 

(i)    Any consolidation, merger, plan of exchange, or transaction involving the Company (“Merger”) in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which the Common Stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a Merger involving the Company in which the holders of the Common Stock of the Company immediately prior to the Merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation after the Merger; or

 

(ii)    Any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

(b)    Effect on Outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.    Except as provided below in this paragraph 11(b), upon a Special Acceleration pursuant to paragraph 11(a), all options and stock appreciation rights then outstanding under the Plan shall immediately become exercisable in full during the remainder of their terms; provided, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide a 30-day period prior to an Approved Transaction during which optionees shall have the right to exercise options and stock appreciation rights, in whole or in part, without any limitation on exercisability, and upon the expiration of such 30-day period all unexercised options and stock appreciation rights shall immediately terminate.

 

12.    Corporate Mergers, Acquisitions, etc.    The Committee may also grant options, stock appreciation rights, and stock bonuses and issue restricted stock under the Plan having terms, conditions and provisions that vary from those specified in this Plan, provided that any such awards are granted in substitution for, or in connection with the assumption of, existing options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, and restricted stock, awarded or issued by another corporation and assumed or otherwise agreed to be provided for by the Company pursuant to or by reason of a transaction involving a corporate merger, consolidation, plan of exchange, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation to which the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company is a party.

 

13.    Amendment of Plan.    The Board of Directors may at any time, and from time to time, modify or amend the Plan in such respects as it shall deem advisable because of changes in the law while the Plan is in effect or for any other reason. Except as provided in paragraphs 6(f), 9, 10 and 11, however, no change in an award already granted shall be made without the written consent of the holder of such award.

 

14.    Approvals.    The obligations of the Company under the Plan are subject to the approval of state and federal authorities or agencies with jurisdiction in the matter. The Company will use its best efforts to take steps required by state or federal law or applicable regulations, including rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or trading system on which the Company’s

 

A-10


shares may then be listed or admitted for trading, in connection with the grants under the Plan. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or deliver Class B Common Stock under the Plan if such issuance or delivery would violate applicable state or federal securities laws.

 

15.    Employment and Service Rights.    Nothing in the Plan or any award pursuant to the Plan shall (i) confer upon any employee any right to be continued in the employment of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company by whom such employee is employed to terminate such employee’s employment at any time, for any reason, with or without cause, or to increase or decrease such employee’s compensation or benefits, or (ii) confer upon any person engaged by the Company any right to be retained or employed by the Company or to the continuation, extension, renewal, or modification of any compensation, contract, or arrangement with or by the Company.

 

16.    Rights as a Shareholder.    The recipient of any award under the Plan shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares until the date of issue to the recipient of a stock certificate for such Shares. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

 

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

 

NIKE, Inc.

Charter of the Audit Committee

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of NIKE, Inc. (the “Company”) is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and internal controls of the Company. The Committee’s purpose includes assisting the Board’s oversight of:

 

    The integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

    The Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

    The independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and

 

    The performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditor.

 

The Committee’s purpose also includes preparing the report of the Committee that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules require to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

Membership

 

The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three directors as determined by the Board. The Committee members shall meet the independence, financial literacy, and other requirements of the NYSE and all other applicable rules, regulations, and statutes. At least one of the members must be a financial expert as defined by applicable rules, regulations, and statutes. The chair of the Committee shall be designated by the Board and shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. A member of the Committee may not simultaneously serve on the audit committee of more than three public companies unless such service is approved by the Board upon its determination, based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, that the simultaneous service would not impair the ability of the member to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. A member of the Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board, or any other Board committee, accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Company, or be an affiliated person of the Company or a subsidiary thereof. The chair and the members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors approximately annually.

 

Meetings

 

The Committee shall meet with such frequency and at such intervals as it determines is necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The Committee may permit attendance at meetings by management and such ex officio members as the Committee may determine appropriate or advisable from time to time.

 

B-1


The Committee shall report regularly to the Board on matters within the Committee’s responsibilities, and shall maintain minutes of Committee meetings.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Committee will have the following duties and responsibilities:

 

1. The sole authority to retain, subject to shareholder ratification, and terminate the Company’s independent auditor, to approve all audit engagement fees, compensation and terms, and to directly oversee the work of the independent auditor with respect to the annual audit of the Company.

 

2. To instruct the Company’s independent auditor that it is to report directly to the Committee.

 

3. The sole authority to approve in advance all audit and legally permitted non-audit services to be provided by any independent public accountants; provided, however, that advance approval of non-audit services shall not be required if:

 

a. the aggregate amount of fees for all such non-audit services provided to the Company constitutes not more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to its auditor during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;

 

b. the services were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and

 

c. the services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee who are members of the Board to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee.

 

4. The sole authority to delegate to one or more designated members of the Committee who are independent directors of the Board, the authority to grant advance approvals of audit and non-audit services as described in Section 3 above.

 

5. At least annually, to obtain and review a report by the independent auditor describing: the firm’s internal quality control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company.

 

6. At least annually, to evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance, and independence, which evaluation shall include the review and evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditor and a review of the report referred to in Section 5 above. In making its

 

B-2


evaluation, the Committee shall take into account the opinions of management and the Company’s internal auditors. The Committee shall further ensure the rotation of the lead audit partner every five years. The Committee shall decide as to whether the Company is obtaining high quality audits and whether rotation of the auditor would be helpful. The Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board.

 

7. To discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

8. Review NIKE’s Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K, and recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Form 10-K.

 

9. Review with the independent auditor and management NIKE’s quarterly financial statements prior to filing and discuss with the independent auditor any items required to be communicated by the independent auditor with respect to interim financial statements in accordance with SAS 61 and 71.

 

10. To discuss with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer the individual certifications required to be filed with the Company’s periodic reports to the SEC.

 

11. To discuss earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

 

12. To engage and compensate independent counsel and other advisors, as the Committee determines necessary to carry out its duties.

 

13. To discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management and to discuss the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

 

14. To meet separately, at least quarterly, with management, with internal auditors, and with the independent auditor.

 

15. To review with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response, including, but not limited to, any restriction on the scope of the independent auditor’s activities or on access to requested information, any significant disagreements with management, any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the auditor but were passed as immaterial or otherwise, any communications between the audit team and audit firm’s national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement, and any “management” or “internal control” letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditor to the Company. The review shall also include discussion of the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function.

 

B-3


16. To resolve disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting.

 

17. Obtain from the Company’s independent auditor any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

18. To review and approve, if appropriate, the internal audit charter and any changes thereto.

 

19. To ensure the independence of the chief internal auditor and to concur in the selection, retention, and dismissal of the chief internal auditor.

 

20. To review the effectiveness of the Company’s accounting and internal control structure and procedures through inquiry and discussions with the Company’s independent auditor, internal auditors, and management of the Company, and approve the internal control structure and procedures and any amendments thereto.

 

21. To establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention, treatment, processing and resolution of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

22. To set hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditor all in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

 

23. Meet periodically with the general counsel or other legal counsel to review legal and regulatory matters, including any matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.

 

24. To report regularly to the Board any material issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Company’s independent auditor, or the performance of the internal audit function.

 

25. Direct preparation of and approve the Audit Committee Report for inclusion in the annual Proxy Statement that summarizes the Committee’s activities in compliance with Item 7 of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

26. Direct preparation and execution of the NYSE’s annual written affirmation of director independence and qualifications to serve on the Committee as required by the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

 

27. Annually evaluate the performance of the Committee and report the results of the Committee performance evaluation to the Board.

 

28. Review and assess annually the adequacy of the Committee’s charter.

 

29. Perform such additional activities and consider such other matters within the scope of its responsibilities as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

 

B-4


ANNUAL

MEETING

AND

PROXY STATEMENT

 

September 22, 2003

Portland, Oregon

 

LOGO

 

This proxy statement is printed on recycled paper


LOGO

 

NIKE, INC.

P.O. BOX 43069

PROVIDENCE, RI 02940-3069

 

 

 

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

   

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below and then follow the simple instructions the Vote Voice provides you.

   

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to NIKE, Inc., c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

   NKINC1      KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — —
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.      DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

NIKE, INC.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A

VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.

 

         For
All
  Withhold
All
  For All
Except
  

To withhold authority to vote for any
nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and

write the nominee’s number on the line below.

    1.

  

Election of Directors:

Nominees: 01) Thomas E. Clarke, 02) Ralph D. DeNunzio,

03) Richard K. Donahue, 04) Delbert J. Hayes, 05) Douglas G. Houser,

  ¨   ¨   ¨   
    

06) Jeanne P. Jackson, 07) Philip H. Knight, 08) Charles W. Robinson,

09) John R. Thompson, Jr.

                

 

          For    Against    Abstain

    2.

   Proposal to approve an amendment to the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan.    ¨    ¨    ¨
                     

    3.

   Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants.    ¨    ¨    ¨

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED, BUT IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS

PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. THE

PROXIES MAY VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION AS TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

 

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK

ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROXIES

CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.

 

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and

write them on the back where indicated.                                                         ¨

 

(Please date and sign below exactly as your name or names appear

hereon. Joint owners should each sign personally. Corporate proxies

should be signed in full corporate name by an authorized officer

and attested. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should indicate

their full titles in such capacity.)

 


   
   
       
                     

   
   
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]             Date                   Signature (Joint Owners)                                       Date                


— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — —

 

 

 

 

NIKE, INC.

 

CLASS A COMMON STOCK PROXY

 

SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE 2003 MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

SEPTEMBER 22, 2003

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Philip H. Knight, Delbert J. Hayes and Douglas G. Houser, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote, as designated on the reverse side, on behalf of the undersigned, all shares of Class A Common Stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of NIKE, Inc. on September 22, 2003, and any adjournments thereof, with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present. A majority of the proxies or substitutes present at the meeting may exercise all powers granted hereby.

 

 

Address Change/Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you noted address changes or comments above, please mark the corresponding box on the reverse side.

 


LOGO

 

NIKE, INC.

P.O. BOX 43069

PROVIDENCE, RI 02940-3069

 

 

 

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

   

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Control Number which is located below and then follow the simple instructions the Vote Voice provides you.

   

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to NIKE, Inc., c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

   NKINC3      KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — —
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.      DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

NIKE, INC.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A

VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.

 

                For
All
  Withhold
All
  For All
Except
  

To withhold authority to vote for any
nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and

write the nominee’s number on the line below.

    1.

   Election of Directors:                 
     Nominees:     

01) Jill K. Conway

02) Alan B. Graf, Jr.

03) John E. Jaqua

04) A. Michael Spence

  ¨   ¨   ¨   

 

          For    Against    Abstain

    2.

   Proposal to approve an amendment to the NIKE, Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan.    ¨    ¨    ¨
                     

    3.

   Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants.    ¨    ¨    ¨

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED, BUT IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS

PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. THE

PROXIES MAY VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION AS TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

 

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK

ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROXIES

CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.

 

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and

write them on the back where indicated.                                                         ¨

 

(Please date and sign below exactly as your name or names appear

hereon. Joint owners should each sign personally. Corporate proxies

should be signed in full corporate name by an authorized officer

and attested. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should indicate

their full titles in such capacity.)

 


   
   
       
                     

   
   
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]             Date                   Signature (Joint Owners)                                       Date                


— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — —

 

 

 

 

NIKE, INC.

 

CLASS B COMMON STOCK PROXY

 

SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE 2003 MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

SEPTEMBER 22, 2003

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Philip H. Knight, Delbert J. Hayes and Douglas G. Houser, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote, as designated on the reverse side, on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Class B Common Stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of NIKE, Inc. on September 22, 2003, and any adjournments thereof, with all powers that the undersigned, would possess if personally present. A majority of the proxies or substitutes present at the meeting may exercise all powers granted hereby.

 

 

Address Change/Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you noted address changes or comments above, please mark the corresponding box on the reverse side.