Nike CEO Mark Parker today said the company’s “innovation for the World Cup this year is more than we've ever produced for any major event, certainly in the sport of football ever.” Appearing on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street," Parker added, “You'll see more innovation coming between now and the World Cup, and we think that the impact it will have on Nike is not just in terms of football and what we do, but to reinforce our position as a leader in sports shoe and apparel innovation." Meanwhile, Parker said of Nike’s competitors, “I actually like to focus on the distance between Nike and our potential versus the distance between Nike and our competition. I think as a leader we have a lot greater opportunity in focusing our potential going forward than we do trying to feel that much better than what we might be doing than anybody else in our industry. That's where we place our focus, and on the relationship with the athletes." Parker mentioned Nike has been in talks with former Texas A&M QB and NFL prospect Johnny Manziel for an endorsement deal. Parker: "He's an amazing athlete. We think he's going to bring a lot to the professional game. It's exciting to see what he's done in college football" ("Squawk on the Street," CNBC, 3/6).
