Best Nike TV Adverts
Nike is known for lots of things – making great trainers, the iconic swoosh logo, sponsoring global megastar athletes, etc. But the sportswear brand is also pretty famous for making some truly memorable TV adverts.
Over the years, Nike adverts have often made top 10 lists for the most memorable adverts of the year, whether for celebrating the World Cup, promoting a new line, or shouting about an iconic athlete partnership.
Here are some of the most memorable Nike TV ads from the last few years. You could say they’ve been running through our minds…
One Day We Won’t Need This Day, 2020
Released to celebrate International Women’s Day, this 2020 Nike advert features female athletes across the globe. The advert’s message is that one day female athletes will be celebrated just as much as their male counterparts as standard.
The ad shows world-famous sporting stars including Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Caster Semenya, along with girls and women from all over the world. Reminding us that Nike is a brand for athletes of all shapes and sizes, this is a really inspirational ad with clips of real moments from women’s sporting history that’s well worth a watch.
Good vs Evil, 2010
No one does iconic football adverts quite like Nike, as proven by 2010’s unforgettable ‘Good vs Evil’. The premise is that during an eclipse, a devil figure summons up a team of villainous thugs to compete with the world’s footballing brightest to save the beautiful game.
Superstars including Eric Cantona, Ian Wright, Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo and Luis Figo form a team, eventually overpowering and outsmarting Satan’s XI to save football, the light, and presumably the rest of the world. Just do it, indeed.
Nike x Ted Lasso, 2023
Partnering up with Apple TV and their smash hit show, this Nike advert harnesses the feelgood power of Ted Lasso and his team to inspire viewers.
The ad stars Australian footballer Sam Kerr, as well as Kola Bokinni – reprising his role from the series as AFC Richmond captain Isaac McAdoo. The advert follows a long scarf – Nike branded, presumably – delivering a motivational monologue that Jason Sudeikis himself would be proud of. Lines like “we can go further, be braver” and “we can change what victory looks like” epitomise Nike’s inspiring messaging and add a fun twist to their usual real-life athlete endorsements.
Just Do It, 1988
Speaking of Nike’s iconic tagline, it was used for the very first time in this 1988 advert. The Nike advert stars Walt Stack, 80, who proudly tells us that he runs 17 miles every morning, in his trusty Nike Airs, of course.
The ad then cuts to a screen with ‘Just do it’ emblazoned in simple font, launching one of the world’s most recognisable and well-known advert catchphrases and lines of marketing copy. While the ‘just do it’ slogan has inspired athletes for generations to push themselves to amazing physical feats, it actually has a bit of a dark origin story. According to the documentary Art & Copy, the line was based on murderer Gary Gilmore’s final words as he headed to his execution. Motivational…
Failure, 1997
Nike adverts are typically motivational and focus on what it takes to win, but every true athlete knows that in order to feel success you also need to know failure. That’s the theme of this legendary 90s Nike advert for Air Jordans, starring NBA icon and namesake Michael Jordan.
In a voiceover, Jordan describes his failures as a basketball player – including 9000 missed shots, over 300 losses and 26 missed would-be game winners. He explains that because he’s failed so many times he now knows how to succeed. Come for the classic 90s attire and Jordan’s famous earring, stay for a genuinely motivational message that still inspires over 20 years later.
Can you think of any Nike TV adverts we should have included in our roundup? Let us know in the comments below!