The top-level domain (TLD) “.nike” does not currently exist, based on research from reliable online sources such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is the organization responsible for coordinating the internet’s systems of unique identifiers, including top-level domains.
Top-level domains are the letters found at the end of an internet address, such as .com, .net, .org, etc. These are the highest level of domain names of the Internet and managed by the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) under ICANN. To introduce a proposed TLD, an application needs to be submitted to ICANN during their defined application acceptance periods.
The brand “Nike,” well-known for sporting goods, currently uses the “.com” TLD for its official website, nike.com, which is typical with many businesses globally. Theoretically, if the brand wanted to apply for “.nike” as a TLD, it would be categorized as a brand or generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD). As the ICANN wiki describes, a gTLD can be used by a particular business organization, like “.google” for Google and “.amazon” for Amazon, aiming to promote their brand for marketing purposes.
However, the process to approve and obtain a new gTLD is not straightforward. According to ICANN’s New gTLD Program, businesses must satisfy various requirements, including proving they have the necessary rights to the name if it is a brand, submitting a rigorous application and a significant application fee (in the range of $100,000 – $500,000, as per ICANN), and undergoing a formal review process.
Brand TLDs can bring certain advantages such as improved online brand presence, security, and the ability to create an organized and easily navigable ecosystem of mini-sites. For example, Google has many products under its umbrella. By owning the “.google” domain, they can have separate sites like “maps.google” or “chrome.google,” and it makes it easier for users to find and trust these sites.
Despite these potential advantages, it does not appear that Nike has pursued a “.nike” TLD as of now. This might be due to the financial, technical, and strategic requirements associated with owning and managing a gTLD. Businesses must analyze whether the benefits will outweigh these constraints.
In conclusion, while the “.nike” TLD could theoretically exist and potentially offer some online advantages to the Nike brand, it currently does not exist. The process to create such a TLD is complex and involves significant costs, as per ICANN’s guidelines.
Sources:
1. ICANN – https://www.icann.org/
2. ICANN Wiki – http://wiki.icann.org/
3. ICANN New gTLD Program – https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/application-results
4. IANA – https://www.iana.org/domains/root.
