Phil Knight is an American business executive and philanthropist best known as the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., one of the world’s most recognizable athletic brands.
Philip Hampson "Phil" Knight was born on February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon. He attended the University of Oregon, where he ran track under the legendary coach Bill Bowerman. In 1959, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Following college, Knight served for one year in the U.S. Army before enrolling in the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he earned his MBA. His time in the Army was brief, and he soon realized that his ambitions were better aligned with business and entrepreneurship than with military service.
The idea for what would later become Nike took shape while Knight was at Stanford. In a research paper, he proposed that high-quality, low-cost running shoes could be produced in Japan and sold in the United States to compete with established brands. This concept evolved into a real business shortly after his graduation.
In 1964, Knight partnered with Bill Bowerman to launch Blue Ribbon Sports, the precursor to Nike. Each contributed $500 in startup capital. Initially functioning as a distributor for Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka Tiger, the company gradually grew in scale. In 1971, Blue Ribbon Sports was rebranded as Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The now-iconic Swoosh logo was introduced the same year, and the company began designing and manufacturing its own footwear.
Under Knight's leadership, Nike grew from a modest startup into a global powerhouse in the athletic wear industry. Known for its cutting-edge marketing strategies—such as the "Just Do It" campaign—and endorsement deals with elite athletes including Michael Jordan, Nike helped redefine how athletic products were designed, sold, and perceived by the public.
Knight has also made significant contributions as a philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to institutions such as the University of Oregon and Stanford University. His efforts have supported academic programs, athletics, and scientific research, reflecting his commitment to education and innovation.
As of recent estimates, Phil Knight has a net worth of approximately $21.6 billion, placing him among the wealthiest self-made billionaires in the world. He stepped down as Nike’s chairman in 2016 but remains chairman emeritus and is closely associated with the company’s enduring success.
| Birth Date: | 24 Feb, 1938 |
| Age: | 82 yrs |
| Occupations: | Businessperson Author |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Portland |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American businessman, Author |
| Net Worth 2021: | 61.9 billion |
