Phil Knight

Phil Knight, the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., was born on February 24, 1938 in Portland, Oregon. He is also known for being the owner of the stop motion film production company Laika.

A significant meeting that had a profound impact on Phil Knight's life occurred on November 18, 1957.

In 1959, he meets his future partner Bill Bowerman, who was the coach of the Oregon University Track team.

On November 18, 1960, he receives a degree in journalism.

After serving 1 year of active duty in the Army and 7 years in the Army Reserve, Phil Knight enrolled in Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1962.

He enrolls in the army for one year.

In 1963, Philip H. Knight started selling track shoes from the trunk of his car, which eventually led to the founding of Nike.

On January 25, 1964, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports, which later evolved into the billion-dollar business known as Nike. The company started by reselling sneakers from Japan and grew to become a major player in the sports and lifestyle industry.

He graduated with a Masters of Business Administration.

He becomes CEO of Blue Ribbon Sports.

On September 13, 1968, Philip Knight married Penelope Parks. They had two sons, Matthew and Travis, and a foster daughter.

In 1969, Phil Knight successfully sold $1 million worth of Tiger shoes, showcasing his early success in the footwear industry.

In 1977, Phil Knight, along with Bill Bowerman and Geoff Hollister, founded an American running team called Athletics West. This initiative was part of Knight's involvement in the sports and athletic industry.

In 1978, Nike signed tennis star John McEnroe to an endorsement deal. This strategic move reflected Phil Knight's vision that great athletes were the ultimate free spirits.

Phil Knight became the CEO of Nike on November 18, 1980.

In 1982, Philip Knight was named Oregon Businessman of the Year. This recognition highlighted his success in the business world.

By 1988, Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, had amassed a personal fortune estimated at $400 million. His entrepreneurial success and leadership had significantly contributed to Nike's growth and prominence in the market.

In 1989, Phil Knight received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement for his contributions to business, corporate, and philanthropic leadership.

By 1990, Nike had surpassed its competitors and under the leadership of Phil Knight, it became one of the largest companies globally. The company's success was attributed to its focus on cutting-edge design, celebrity endorsements, and streetwear appeal.

During the 1992 Olympic Games, Michael Jordan and other NBA players with Nike endorsements refused to appear on television with the insignia of their official Reebok sweat suits showing. Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, faced strained relationships with some athletes due to his handling of the situation.

In April 2000, students at the University of Oregon began a sit-in at Johnson Hall, the UO's administrative center, as part of an anti-sweatshop and fair labor practices campaign.

On November 18, 2000, Phil Knight was honored with induction into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to sports in Oregon.

Following the dissolved relationship between the university and the WRC, Phil Knight reinstated a donation of over US$50 million to the University of Oregon on February 16, 2001.

On November 18, 2004, Phil Knight stepped down as CEO of Nike and transferred the position to William Perez, the former CEO of S.C. Johnson & Son.

In 2006, Mark Parker took over as the CEO of Nike after William Perez, who succeeded Phil Knight, was replaced.

In August 2007, Phil Knight announced a donation of US$100 million to found the UO Athletics Legacy Fund to support all athletic programs at the University of Oregon. This philanthropic gift was the largest in the university's history at that time.

In October 2008, Phil Knight and his wife pledged US$100 million to the OHSU Cancer Institute, resulting in the largest gift in the history of Oregon Health & Science University.

Phil Knight rebranded Will Vinton Studios to Laika after assuming control of the company. He invested $180 million into Laika, and the studio released its first feature film, Coraline, in stop motion in 2009, which was a financial success.

In October 2010, Phil Knight donated several million dollars to the Catlin Gabel School to establish a scholarship for incoming freshmen students.

On January 1, 2011, Phil Knight was ranked as the 22nd richest American, reflecting his significant wealth and success.

On February 24, 2012, Phil Knight was announced as a 2012 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his significant financial support of U.S. basketball and players.

On May 18, 2012, Phil Knight contributed US$65,000 to a higher education Political Action Committee (PAC) formed by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle to increase the autonomy of schools in the Oregon University System.

On September 27, 2013, Phil Knight announced his intention to donate US$500 million for research at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, challenging OHSU to match it over the subsequent two years.

On June 25, 2015, OHSU met the $500 million donation goal set by Phil Knight, who then announced an additional $500 million donation, bringing the total raised to $1 billion.

Phil Knight's memoir, Shoe Dog, was released on April 26, 2016. It details the building of the Nike brand and his journey from importing Japanese shoes to facing a federal investigation.

During the 2018 Oregon gubernatorial election, Phil Knight donated $3.5 million to Republican Knute Buehler's campaign. This significant contribution reflects Knight's political involvement.

In 2020, Phil Knight was one of the final choices in a university poll to select four UO alumni for a notional Mount Rushmore, recognizing his significant impact on the university.

In 2021, Phil Knight made a generous donation of $105 million to Stanford Graduate School of Business, contributing to the advancement of education and research in the field.

On October 6, 2022, Phil Knight wrote a $1 million check to back Republican Christine Drazan in the Oregon gubernatorial election. This action demonstrates Knight's shifting support towards different candidates.

In April 2023, Phil Knight contributed $2 million to a conservative PAC. This financial support showcases Knight's ongoing involvement in political activities.

On March 5, 2024, it was reported that Michael Bloomberg ranked at the top of the Chronicle of Philanthropy's list of America’s biggest donors in 2023.