Nike and Manchester United, the world's most famous team, have launched a long-term partnership this year. Nike becomes the team's exclusive supplier of uniforms and branded equipment beginning in 2002, and the club reclaims the Premier League championship at the end of the 2002-2003 season. The contract is worth up to $20 million per year. Nike started as an athletic shoe company in 1964 by selling shoes made in America that were designed by two college students, Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. They created their own footwear design department to come up with new styles that would sell well. The first model they sold under their own name was called the "Walking Football." In June 2001, Nike announced that it had signed a deal with English soccer club Manchester United that makes them the official apparel provider from 2002 until 2015. Under the terms of the agreement, Nike will become the club's uniform partner, designing all player clothing and supplying boots to Man U. In addition, Nike receives advertising space on club products and access to match day technology. This is the first time that Nike has entered into such an agreement with a foreign team. Manchester United has been one of the most popular clubs in England since its inception in 1918. The team has won more than 50 trophies including 13 English championships, so they are definitely no ordinary club. Currently, the manager of Man U is Alex Ferguson who has managed the team for nearly 30 years.