Nike reports third-quarter profit, offers hint at NFL apparel demand

Nike offered a hint today of the impact of its upcoming National Football League apparel deal. The Oregon-based sports equipment company reported that its worldwide futures orders increased 15 percent for products to be delivered from March through July totaled $9.4 billion. That's 15 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year. By comparison, when the company reported its futures orders growth at this time last year, it said the number was 9 percent higher than the same period in 2010. While futures orders do not necessarily guarantee comparable sales for the period, the apparent jump