If you’ve heard that Nike is hosting an Analyst Meeting next week, that’s not entirely correct. The company is hosting a 2-day all-out media event in New York. If you have not been following Nike for a while, you should know that when Nike does a ‘media event’ it rivals the red carpet on Oscar night. No joke. The company invited the sell side to ‘participate’ (ie observe) Nike in its native habitat.
Make no mistake – people will be star-struck. This event is just days before the NBA all star game, and will likely feature athletes – and their respective products -- that will get people jacked up, to say the least.
While I can’t promise anything, in looking through NBA schedules, the Knicks will be local on the 21stad 22nd. LinSanity, anyone? Don’t forget Stoudamire either. The Nets will also be at Home, which gives us Carmello Anthony. The Heat has a bye on the 22nd, and why not have LeBron, Wade, and Bosch make a detour in NYC after they play Sacramento on the 21st? If you don't think that Nike had these schedules in mind when planning the event, then think again!
This won’t be all about basketball. Translation: I wouldn’t be surprised for people to be Tebow’d.
No, I don’t have any inside scoop as to who will be there. But this IS how the company thinks and operates. A product blitz with all the media and celebrity hype to support it. First class all the way. The average analyst out there (who will also have breakfast with CFO Don Blair) will be impressed.
NKE is still one of our top three long ideas.