Rob Strasser was a visionary leader who transformed Nike and Adidas into global giants in the sports apparel industry. He was the mastermind behind the launch of the Air Jordan line, which revolutionized basketball culture and fashion. He also helped revive Adidas from a slump by returning it to its iconic roots. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a sudden heart attack that claimed his life at the age of 46. This article will explore the life and legacy of Rob Strasser, as well as the circumstances and causes of his death.
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Early Life and Career
Rob Strasser was born on October 5, 1947, in Milwaukie, Oregon. He graduated from Willamette University in Salem and the UC Berkeley School of Law. He started his career as a lawyer in Portland, Oregon, where he represented Nike (under its original name, Blue Ribbon Sports) and drew the attention of its founder Phil Knight. Knight hired Strasser to join Nike during its early years, and made him the marketing director. Strasser’s audacious and unconventional style was critical in shaping Nike’s trajectory, most notably in the launch of the Air Jordan line. Strasser led Nike’s strategic war against Adidas, Nike’s key rival, and was instrumental in Nike’s charge into European markets. According to Portland Monthly, Strasser was “Nike’s five-star general” who “helped make PDX the sports gear capital of the world”.
The Air Jordan Saga
One of Strasser’s most remarkable achievements was the creation of the Air Jordan line, which catapulted Nike to the top of the basketball sneaker market and made Michael Jordan a global icon. In 1984, Nike was struggling to compete with Converse and Adidas in basketball, and had only a 17% market share. The company decided to sign a college basketball player who had the potential to become a superstar: Michael Jordan. However, Jordan preferred Adidas and was not impressed by Nike’s offer. Strasser was assigned to close the deal with Jordan, and he did so by presenting him with a vision of a shoe line that would reflect his personality and style. He also offered him a lucrative contract that included royalties and creative input. According to USA Today, Jordan said that he “absolutely fell in love with (Strasser) when he actually made the first presentation of the Jordan thing, the Air Jordan concept”. The Air Jordan line was launched in 1985, and became an instant hit with consumers and fans. It also sparked controversy and hype, as the NBA banned the original red-and-black colorway for violating its uniform policy, and Nike paid Jordan’s fines for wearing them anyway. The Air Jordan line helped Nike dominate the basketball sneaker market, and generated billions of dollars in revenue over the years.
The Adidas Switch
Despite Strasser’s success at Nike, he had ideological differences with Phil Knight, who felt that Strasser wanted too much power and autonomy. In 1987, Strasser left Nike and partnered with Peter Moore, the designer of the Air Jordan logo, in a consulting firm called Sports Inc. Two years later, they were recruited by Adidas, the company they had once helped Nike to defeat. Adidas was in a dire situation, losing market share and facing financial troubles. Strasser and Moore were tasked with rejuvenating the brand, and they did so by relocating Adidas’s North American headquarters to Portland, Oregon. Their strategy focused on reducing the brand to its iconic core, emphasizing quality, heritage, and innovation. They also signed endorsement deals with celebrities and athletes, such as Madonna, Run-DMC, David Beckham, and Kobe Bryant. Their efforts paid off, as Adidas regained its popularity and profitability in the 1990s.
The Heart Attack
Strasser’s career took a tragic turn on October 15, 1993, when he suffered a fatal heart attack while attending a meeting at Adidas’s headquarters in Germany. He was only 46 years old. According to AP News, he fell ill during the session and was taken to a nearby clinic in an ambulance. He was later transferred to Munich in a helicopter. The cardiologist who treated him said that he could not pinpoint the exact cause of his distress, but concluded that he must have suffered from a heart attack. Strasser’s death shocked and saddened his colleagues and friends at both Nike and Adidas. Phil Knight said that he was “deeply saddened” by Strasser’s passing, and called him “a great friend” who “made enormous contributions” to Nike. Robert Louis-Dreyfus, then CEO of Adidas, said that Strasser was “a very important person for our company” who “had a lot of vision”. Strasser’s wife Julie said that he had no history of heart problems or high blood pressure, and that he was “in great shape” before his trip to Germany. She also said that he loved his work and was passionate about sports and fashion.
The Legacy
Rob Strasser’s legacy lives on in the sports apparel industry, as he left an indelible mark on both Nike and Adidas. He was a pioneer who introduced innovative concepts and products that changed the game of basketball and the culture of sneakers. He was also a loyal Portlander who helped shape the city into a major hub for sportswear. His influence can be seen in the continued success and popularity of the Air Jordan line, as well as the resurgence of Adidas as a global leader in sports and lifestyle. He was also portrayed by Jason Bateman in the 2023 movie Air, which dramatized the story of how Nike signed Michael Jordan and launched the Air Jordan line. Rob Strasser was a visionary leader who transformed Nike and Adidas into global giants in the sports apparel industry. He was the mastermind behind the launch of the Air Jordan line, which revolutionized basketball culture and fashion. He also helped revive Adidas from a slump by returning it to its iconic roots. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a sudden heart attack that claimed his life at the age of 46. This article explored the life and legacy of Rob Strasser, as well as the circumstances and causes of his death.