Phil Knight

Phil Knight
Phil Knight
Born	February 24, 1938 (age 88); Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Known for	Co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc.; owner of Laika animation studio

Philip Hampson Knight (born February 24, 1938) is a prominent American billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized as the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., a major international company specializing in sports equipment and apparel. He has held the roles of chairman and CEO at Nike in the past. As of July 2025, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at approximately US$34.1 billion. Knight is also the owner of Laika, a studio known for producing stop-motion animated films.

Knight completed his studies at the University of Oregon and later earned an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. During his university years, he was a member of the track and field team coached by Bill Bowerman, who would become his co-founder at Nike.

Throughout his philanthropic efforts, Knight has contributed over $2 billion to his former universities and to Oregon Health & Science University, aiding various educational and research programs.

Early life

Born in Portland, Oregon on February 24, 1938, Phil Hampson Knight was the son of Bill Knight, who transitioned from practicing law to newspaper publishing, and Lota Cloy Knight. He was raised in the Eastmoreland area of Portland and attended Cleveland High School. After his father declined to offer him a summer position at his newspaper, Knight took a job at the competing Oregonian, where he spent mornings compiling sports scores and ran seven miles home each day.

Knight pursued higher education at the University of Oregon in Eugene, actively participating in track events, contributing to the Oregon Daily Emerald as a reporter, and joining the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He completed his business degree (B.B.A.) in an accelerated three-year period, graduating in 1959, and earned a commission in the Army Reserve as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

As an athlete specializing in middle-distance running, Knight recorded a personal best mile time of 4 minutes and 13 seconds. He received varsity letters for three consecutive years from 1957 through 1959. In 1977, he partnered with coach Bill Bowerman and Geoff Hollister to establish the American running team known as Athletics West.

Early career

Prior to launching Blue Ribbon Sports—which eventually became Nike—Knight worked professionally as a Certified Public Accountant with firms including Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse, followed by a period teaching accounting at Portland State University.

Nike Inc.

Following his graduation from the University of Oregon, Knight completed one year of active military service along with seven years in the United States Army Reserve. He obtained an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1962. His graduate thesis focused on Japanese athletic shoe manufacturers, hinting at his future business direction: importing affordable yet high-quality running shoes from Japan into the American market.

During a trip after finishing school, Knight discovered the Tiger brand shoes while visiting Kobe, Japan, and secured exclusive distribution rights for the western United States. The initial shipment of shoe samples took over twelve months to arrive; meanwhile, Knight maintained employment as an accountant in Portland. Once he received the samples, he sent two pairs to Bill Bowerman, then coach of the University of Oregon track team. Bowerman not only placed orders but also collaborated with Knight on product design enhancements. Their handshake agreement on January 25, 1964 marked the founding of Blue Ribbon Sports.

Knight began selling shoes out of a green Plymouth Valiant at track events across the Pacific Northwest. By 1969, Blue Ribbon Sports had expanded sufficiently for Knight to dedicate himself full-time to the company. Jeff Johnson, Nike's first full-time employee, proposed renaming the business after Nike, the Greek goddess symbolizing victory; this name was officially adopted in 1971.

The now-famous Nike "swoosh" emblem was designed by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for $35 in 1971. Although Knight initially remarked that he did not love it but expected it would grow on him, Davidson was later rewarded with Nike stock as acknowledgment for her work.

Under Knight’s guidance, Nike established endorsement deals with elite athletes such as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, significantly enhancing its brand reputation and market dominance.

Transformation from Vinton Studios to Laika

Following its rise to prominence in the late 1990s, Will Vinton Studios sought outside capital to fuel its rapid expansion. In 1998, Knight acquired a 15 percent share, and his son Travis, after an unsuccessful attempt at a rap career and completing his studies at Portland State, joined the company as an animator.

Accusing the original management of poor oversight, Knight eventually took full ownership of Will Vinton Studios, secured control of the board with backing from Nike executives, and renamed the firm Laika after Vinton's exit. Knight invested $180 million into Laika, which debuted its first feature-length stop-motion film, Coraline, in 2009. The movie's commercial success led to Travis Knight being elevated to CEO and president of Laika.

Passing of Matthew Knight

In May 2002, two years post-acquisition of Vinton Studios, Knight’s son Matthew suffered a fatal heart attack while scuba diving in Lake Ilopango, El Salvador, caused by an undiagnosed congenital condition. Knight and Travis arranged for Matthew’s remains to be returned to the United States. Laika honored his memory by dedicating its 2005 short film Moongirl to him.

Knight stepped down as Nike CEO in November 2004, just months after Matthew’s funeral, but retained his role as chairman of the board. His successor was William Perez, formerly CEO of S.C. Johnson & Son, who was later replaced by Mark Parker in 2006.

In 2011, the University of Oregon named its arena the Matthew Knight Arena in tribute.

Activities following Nike CEO tenure

From 2009 through 2010, Knight emerged as the largest individual donor opposing Oregon Ballot Measures 66 and 67, which aimed to raise income taxes on select corporations and high earners. In June 2015, he declared his intention to relinquish the chairmanship of Nike, with CEO Mark Parker taking over the position. His departure from Nike’s board was finalized in June 2016. In September 2017, Knight briefly came out of retirement to contribute to the design of UNC jerseys for the Phil Knight Classic held in Portland, Oregon.

Autobiography

Knight’s memoir, titled Shoe Dog, was published on April 26, 2016 by Simon & Schuster and climbed to number five on The New York Times Best Seller list for business titles by July 2018. The book details Nike’s origins and development, covering early hurdles such as importing Japanese footwear and handling a federal inquiry.

Philanthropy

As reported in July 2021, Knight’s net worth stood at $60.8 billion. He established the Philip H. Knight Charitable Foundation Trust in 1990. By 2016, he had become Oregon’s most generous donor with cumulative contributions approaching $2 billion. In 2023, he was ranked as America’s second-largest philanthropist with donations totaling $1.2 billion.

Contributions to Stanford University

In 2006, Knight gave $105 million to Stanford Graduate School of Business—the largest single gift ever made to a U.S. business school at that time—leading to the naming of the campus as "The Knight Management Center."

A decade later, in 2016, he pledged $400 million to establish the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program—a graduate-level initiative designed to tackle worldwide issues like climate change and poverty. The inaugural cohort consisted of 51 scholars from 21 countries and began studies in fall 2018.

In May 2022, Phil and Penny Knight donated $75 million to create the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, focusing research efforts on cognitive decline and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

University of Oregon

By 2023, Phil Knight's contributions to the University of Oregon exceeded one billion dollars, beginning with his initial substantial gift in the late 1980s. By the turn of the millennium, his donations had surpassed $50 million. Knight was also honored with an honorary degree by the university for the 2018–19 academic year.

UO Academics

Among Knight’s notable philanthropic efforts were partial funding for the renovation of the Knight Library and the establishment of the Knight Law Center. Additionally, he endowed several academic chairs throughout the campus. In 2016, Knight committed $500 million toward a new laboratory and research science complex comprised of three buildings, representing one of his many major contributions to higher education.

UO Athletic Department (Oregon Ducks)

Knight played a role in funding the Moshofsky Center, which opened its doors in 1998.

In August 2007, he and his wife gifted $100 million to create the UO Athletics Legacy Fund, designed to support all sports programs at the university. Athletic director Pat Kilkenny remarked that this donation paved the way for Oregon athletics to achieve financial independence and facilitated plans for a new sports arena. At that time, it stood as the largest philanthropic gift ever received by the university.

The Matthew Knight Arena, named in memory of Knight’s son who passed away, was constructed in 2010 through collaboration between Knight and Kilkenny. Although Knight did not directly finance the $200 million facility, his $100 million Legacy Fund significantly supported the athletic department’s efforts. The arena replaced McArthur Court and was funded through bonds backed by the state.

Knight also funded a $68 million football facility spanning 145,000 square feet that opened in July 2013. This state-of-the-art building includes features such as a gym with Brazilian hardwood flooring, Apple iPhone charging stations within lockers, auditoriums, meeting rooms, a recreation area equipped with flat-screen TVs and foosball tables, and a cafeteria. Knight’s personal locker is marked "Uncle Phil."

In November 2015, Knight and his wife contributed $19.2 million toward constructing the Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center, a 29,000-square-foot facility outfitted with advanced technology including motion capture systems, neurocognitive testing equipment, a 40-yard dash track, and Nike steam machines designed to expedite breaking in footwear. This center was built between January and September 2016.

In 2021, Knight supported renovations to Hayward Field, UO’s track and field stadium. The $270 million upgrade pushed his cumulative donations to over $1 billion; however, the precise amount he contributed remained undisclosed.

Controversy

Knight’s extensive financial support for UO’s athletic programs generated debate. In April 2000, student leaders launched an anti-sweatshop campaign urging the university to affiliate with the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC). Students opposed partnerships with the Fair Labor Association (FLA), which was perceived as an industry-influenced organization including Nike and criticized by labor advocates.

University President Dave Frohnmayer agreed to a one-year contract with WRC, prompting Knight to retract a $30 million pledge designated for expanding Autzen Stadium and suspend further donations. He openly condemned WRC as impractical while endorsing FLA as more reasonable. Frohnmayer aligned with Knight’s stance due to legal concerns that paying dues to WRC might expose the university to liability risks given WRC’s lack of official nonprofit status.

On February 16, 2001, the Oregon University System issued a directive requiring all affiliated institutions to choose business partners without political bias, prohibiting membership in either WRC or FLA. Following this policy change, Knight restored and increased his contributions beyond $50 million.

Another point of contention involved Knight advocating for Pat Kilkenny as athletic director despite Kilkenny lacking formal collegiate education or experience in athletic administration. Kilkenny previously served as head of Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, expanding it nationally to nearly $1 billion in premiums before selling it in 2006.

Additional Initiatives

In October 2008, Knight and his spouse committed US$100 million to the OHSU Cancer Institute, marking the largest donation in the history of Oregon Health & Science University. This gift prompted the institute to be renamed the "OHSU Knight Cancer Institute."

Two years later, in October 2010, Knight contributed several million dollars to the Catlin Gabel School to create scholarship opportunities for new freshmen.

On May 18, 2012, Knight provided US$65,000 to a Political Action Committee (PAC) focused on higher education. This PAC, initiated by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, aimed to enhance autonomy within the Oregon University System.

During the 2013 gala for the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Knight pledged a matching gift of US$500 million for cancer research, contingent on OHSU raising an equivalent amount within two years. By June 2015, OHSU successfully met this target, unlocking Knight’s pledge and resulting in a total fundraising achievement of $1 billion.

Knight and his wife also backed the Marylhurst Knights Opportunity Scholarship Program at Marylhurst University, leading to a campus lawn being named "Knight's Green" in their recognition.

In December 2016, Knight revealed that he had donated $112 million worth of Nike stock to charitable causes.

Honors

Knight was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 for his Special Contribution to Sports in Oregon. His donations to the University of Oregon, primarily directed toward athletics, totaled approximately US$230 million.

On February 24, 2012, he was announced as a 2012 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor. This honor acknowledged Nike’s substantial financial support for basketball in the United States. His formal induction took place on September 7, 2012.

In 1989, Knight received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. Recognizing his leadership in business and philanthropy, he was named a member of the 2015 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

A 2020 poll conducted by the University of Oregon placed Knight among four distinguished alumni honored on an unofficial Mount Rushmore for the university. He was featured alongside track icon Steve Prefontaine, NFL athlete and Heisman Trophy recipient Marcus Mariota, and basketball standout Sabrina Ionescu.

In 2024, Knight was awarded the President's Award at the World Athletics Awards.

Private Life

Knight met Penelope "Penny" Parks while both were employed at Portland State University; they married on September 13, 1968. The couple owns property in La Quinta, California.

Tragically, Knight’s son Matthew passed away in a scuba diving incident in El Salvador in 2004. Another son, Travis Knight, leads the animation company Laika, where Phil Knight holds the position of chairman.

According to public records, Knight lists Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon as his official residence. He actually lives near Hillsboro, Oregon, where he maintains a private hangar and owns two jets stationed at the Hillsboro Airport.

The film Air, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, dramatizes Nike’s signing of Michael Jordan and the development of the Air Jordan brand. In this film, Affleck portrays Phil Knight.

Politics

Knight is officially affiliated with the Republican Party and frequently provides financial support to Republican candidates within Oregon. In 2010, he contributed $400,000 to Chris Dudley, who was the Republican candidate for governor of Oregon.

Nonetheless, Knight has occasionally backed Democratic politicians as well; in 1986, he funded Neil Goldschmidt’s victorious campaign, and in 2014, he donated $250,000 toward the re-election campaign of Democrat John Kitzhaber.

During the 2018 gubernatorial race in Oregon, Knight gave $3.5 million to Republican candidate Knute Buehler. He criticized the state's underfunded public employee pension system and fiscal policies under the leadership of Democratic governor Kate Brown.

In the 2022 governor’s election, Knight initially contributed $3.75 million to independent contender Betsy Johnson until September. Subsequently, he redirected his support to Republican Christine Drazan with two donations totaling $2 million. Additionally, he provided $2 million in 2022 and another $2 million in 2023 to a conservative political action committee that supports Republican state legislators in Oregon.

Although typically private about his political views, Knight spoke with the New York Times in October 2022 regarding his backing of Republicans. He expressed concern that Oregon’s government had shifted too far left and described himself as "more conservative than Nike," contrasting with Nike's corporate stance advocating progressive initiatives; notably, the company donated $75,000 to Tina Kotek, the Democratic victor in that election.

External links