Nike Digs in a Firm Market Foothold

Parker joined Nike 27 years ago as a designer, and later became a co-president of the company. He's credited with helping bring sneaker technology like Nike Air to market; he also oversaw the development of Shox shoes as well as a midrange running line. Parker has never run one of Nike's divisions, but his longtime working relationship with Knight bodes well for his chances to fit the bill.

Cowperthwaite says the chief threat to Nike's valuation is rising oil and commodity prices.

"Raw material costs, labor costs and freight costs are all on the upswing now," she says. "These could crimp Nike's profit margins, but that's an industrywide problem that won't last forever."