Phil Knight

Date of Birth: February 24, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Philip Hampson Knight, commonly known as Phil Knight, is an American business magnate and philanthropist. He was born on February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon. Knight is best known as the co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Nike, Inc., one of the world’s largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel. Knight’s journey began with a business plan he developed while attending Stanford Graduate School of Business. This plan laid the foundation for Blue Ribbon Sports, which he co-founded with his former track coach, Bill Bowerman, in 1964. The company initially distributed Japanese running shoes under the Onitsuka Tiger brand. In 1971, they rebranded as Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The company’s iconic “Swoosh” logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student, for just $35. Under Knight’s leadership, Nike grew exponentially, pioneering the concept of athlete endorsements, most notably with basketball legend Michael Jordan. This strategy helped Nike become a dominant force in the sportswear industry. Knight retired as CEO of Nike in 2004, and as chairman in 2016, but he remains a significant figure in the company and continues to influence its direction. Apart from his business endeavors, Knight is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated substantial sums to educational institutions, including Stanford University and his alma mater, the University of Oregon.

5 Interesting Facts about Phil Knight

1. Phil Knight ran track under coach Bill Bowerman at the University of Oregon, who later became his business partner in founding Nike.

2. Knight initially sold shoes out of the trunk of his car at track meets.

3. He wrote a memoir titled “Shoe Dog” published in 2016, which chronicles the early days of Nike.

4. Knight has donated over $1 billion to various causes, including significant contributions to cancer research.

5. The Knight family owns about 24% of Nike through a holding company.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phil Knight

1. “Play by the rules, but be ferocious.”

2. “The trouble in America is not that we are making too many mistakes, but that we are making too few.”

3. “Life is growth. You grow or you die.”

4. “There is no finish line.”

5. “The cowards never started and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen. Us.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Phil Knight’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $60 billion.

Children

Phil Knight and his wife, Penelope “Penny” Knight, had three children: Matthew, Travis, and Christina. Tragically, their eldest son, Matthew Knight, died in a scuba diving accident in 2004. Travis Knight is a film producer and animator, known for his work with the animation studio Laika.