NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 11, 2001--Standard&Poor's today assigned its preliminary single-'A' rating to Nike Inc.'s $750 million shelf registration under Rule 415 for debt securities. This registration brings the company's total availability under its shelf to $1 billion. Simultaneously, the single-'A' long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings, and the 'A-1' short-term corporate credit and commercial paper ratings for the company were affirmed. The outlook is stable. About $1.2 billion of total debt was outstanding as of Aug. 31, 2001. The ratings for Nike Inc. are based on the company's strong No. 1 market share in U.S. athletic footwear and its leading positions internationally, as well as its solid financial profile. Somewhat offsetting these strengths
