Shoe Dog
| Industry | Sportswear and equipment |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Blue Ribbon Sports |
| Founder | Phil Knight |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Phil Knight (co-founder) |
| Products | Athletic footwear, apparel, equipment |
Shoe Dog is a memoir authored by Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike. The narrative details the transformation of Nike from its origins as Blue Ribbon Sports into a dominant international brand, while also providing a glimpse into Knight's own experiences. The book was ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer.
Among the notable endorsements, Bill Gates included Shoe Dog in his top five books of 2016, describing it as "an incredible story" and "a candid reflection on the true journey toward business achievement," emphasizing the obstacles and sacrifices involved in Nike's ascent.
In July 2018, Netflix revealed plans to produce a biographical film adaptation. The screenplay is crafted by Ed Wood writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, with production led by Knight himself alongside five-time Oscar nominee Frank Marshall.
Response
- Published on April 26, 2016, through Simon & Schuster, Shoe Dog attained the fifth position on The New York Times Best Seller List for business literature by July 2018.
- Warren Buffett commended the memoir as "The finest book I read last year... penned by Nike's Phil Knight, a remarkably insightful, intelligent, and competitive individual who also excels at storytelling."
Legacy and Future
- An abridged edition titled Shoe Dog: Young Readers Edition was released on September 26, 2017, designed specifically for a younger demographic.
- In 2018, Netflix secured the motion picture rights to Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, with Knight serving as both creative consultant and producer. The project also involves Academy Award-nominated producer Frank Marshall. As of June 2024, no official release date has been disclosed.