Phil Knight's Biography

Phil Knight is an American billionaire entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Nike, Inc., the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. Born on February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon, Knight attended the University of Oregon, where his passion for athletics and running was nurtured. He later earned his MBA from Stanford, where a class paper on the potential for importing Japanese running shoes sparked the idea for what would become Nike. Knight initially started his business by selling Onitsuka Tiger shoes out of his car, working alongside his former coach Bill Bowerman. Together, they launched Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964, which eventually became Nike in 1971. Under Knight’s leadership, Nike revolutionized sports marketing and athletic footwear, introducing innovations like the Waffle Trainer and iconic campaigns such as 'Just Do It.' Knight has faced criticism for Nike’s overseas labor practices but has also been widely recognized for his significant philanthropy to educational institutions and medical research. As of 2024, Phil Knight’s net worth is estimated at $45 billion, ranking him among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Beyond business, Knight enjoys running, supports animation studio Laika, and is known for his competitive spirit and commitment to excellence.