Career Timeline of Phil Knight: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Phil Knight, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Phil Knight is an American billionaire and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc. A track and field athlete at the University of Oregon under coach Bill Bowerman, he partnered with Bowerman to create what would become a global leader in sports apparel and equipment. Knight's business acumen transformed Nike into a powerhouse, leading to his substantial net worth. Beyond Nike, he owns the animation studio Laika. Knight's education includes degrees from the University of Oregon and Stanford Graduate School of Business, providing a foundation for his entrepreneurial success.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1959: Earned Business Degree and Army Reserve Commission

In 1959, Philip Knight earned a business degree (B.B.A.) in three years from the University of Oregon and received his Army Reserve Commission as a "Distinguished Military Graduate".

November 1962: Discovered Tiger Brand Running Shoes

In November 1962, during a trip to Kobe, Japan, Philip Knight discovered Tiger brand running shoes and secured distribution rights for the western United States after meeting with Mr. Onitsuka.

1962: Graduated from Stanford

In 1962, Philip Knight graduated with a master's degree in business administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business after producing a paper foretelling his foray into selling running shoes.

January 25, 1964: Founded Blue Ribbon Sports

On January 25, 1964, Philip Knight and Bill Bowerman formed a partnership by handshake, establishing Blue Ribbon Sports, the company that would later become Nike.

1969: Full-time at Blue Ribbon Sports

By 1969, early sales of shoes allowed Philip Knight to leave his accountant job and work full-time for Blue Ribbon Sports.

1971: Blue Ribbon Sports Renamed Nike

In 1971, Blue Ribbon Sports was renamed Nike, after Jeff Johnson suggested the name based on the Greek winged goddess of victory.

1971: Swoosh Logo Commissioned

In 1971, Nike's "swoosh" logo was commissioned from graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for $35.

1977: Founded Athletics West

In 1977, Philip Knight, along with Bill Bowerman and Geoff Hollister, founded an American running team called Athletics West.

1986: Financed Neil Goldschmidt's Campaign

In 1986, Knight financed Neil Goldschmidt's successful campaign.

1990: Founded Philip H. Knight Charitable Foundation Trust

In 1990, Philip Knight founded the Philip H. Knight Charitable Foundation Trust.

1998: Invested in Will Vinton Studios

In 1998, Philip Knight assumed a 15 percent stake in Will Vinton Studios after the animation company sought external investors.

1998: Contributed Towards Moshofsky Center

In 1998, Philip Knight contributed towards the Moshofsky Center at the University of Oregon, which opened that year.

2000: Contribution to University of Oregon

By 2000, Philip Knight had already contributed over $50 million to the University of Oregon.

February 16, 2001: Oregon University System Mandate

On February 16, 2001, the Oregon University System mandated that all institutions choose business partners from a politically neutral standpoint, barring universities from joining the WRC or FLA. Following this, Knight reinstated a donation to the university, increasing it to over $50 million.

2003: Rebranded Will Vinton Studios to Laika

In late 2003, Philip Knight rebranded Will Vinton Studios to Laika after purchasing the company and investing $180 million.

November 18, 2004: Resigned as Nike CEO

On November 18, 2004, Philip Knight resigned as Nike CEO, several months after the death of his son Matthew, but remained as chairman of the board.

2006: Mark Parker Replaced William Perez as CEO

In 2006, Mark Parker replaced William Perez as CEO of Nike.

2006: Kilkenny Sells Arrowhead General Insurance Agency

In 2006, Pat Kilkenny, who Knight lobbied for to be named athletic director at the university, sold the San Diego–based Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, where he was the chairman and CEO. At the time of the sale, the business had grown into a nationwide organization.

2006: Donation to Stanford Business School

In 2006, Philip Knight donated US$105 million to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, which was the largest individual donation ever to a U.S. business school at the time. The campus was named "The Knight Management Center" in his honor.

August 2007: Founded UO Athletics Legacy Fund

In August 2007, Philip Knight and his wife announced a US$100 million donation to found the UO Athletics Legacy Fund to support all athletic programs at the University of Oregon. At the time, it was the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the university.

October 2008: Donation to OHSU Cancer Institute

In October 2008, Knight and his wife pledged US$100 million to the OHSU Cancer Institute, marking the largest gift in the history of Oregon Health & Science University. The university then renamed the organization the "OHSU Knight Cancer Institute."

2009: Contributor to Campaign Against Oregon Ballot Measures

During the 2009–2010 period, Philip Knight was the largest single contributor to the campaign to defeat Oregon Ballot Measures 66 and 67, which would have increased income tax on some corporations and high-income individuals.

October 2010: Donation to Catlin Gabel School

In October 2010, Knight donated several million dollars to the Catlin Gabel School to establish a scholarship fund for incoming freshmen students.

2010: Contributor to Campaign Against Oregon Ballot Measures

2010: Donation to Chris Dudley

In 2010, Knight donated $400,000 to Chris Dudley, the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon.

2010: Construction of Matthew Knight Arena

The 2010 construction of the UO basketball team's Matthew Knight Arena was the result of a partnership between Philip Knight and former Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny. Knight established a $100 million "Athletic Legacy Fund", although he did not directly pay for the project. The facility was named after Knight's deceased son.

May 18, 2012: Contribution to Higher Education PAC

On May 18, 2012, Knight contributed US$65,000 to a higher education Political Action Committee (PAC) formed by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, aimed at increasing the autonomy of schools in the Oregon University System.

July 2013: Opening of UO Football Facility

In late July 2013, Philip Knight financed the UO's US$68 million 145,000 square-foot gridiron football facility that was officially opened. Knight's personal locker displays the title "Uncle Phil", and includes Brazilian hardwood floors, Apple iPhone chargers, auditoriums, meeting rooms, a games room, and a cafeteria.

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September 27, 2013: Knight Announces Donation to OHSU

On September 27, 2013, Knight announced at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute's biennial gala his intention to donate US$500 million for research, conditional upon OHSU matching the amount within two years.

2014: Donation to John Kitzhaber's Re-election Campaign

In 2014, Knight donated $250,000 to the re-election campaign of Democrat John Kitzhaber.

June 2015: Stepping Down as Nike's Chairman

In June 2015, Philip Knight and Nike announced that he would step down as the company's chairman, with Mark Parker to succeed him.

June 25, 2015: OHSU Met $500 Million Goal

On June 25, 2015, OHSU met its $500 million fundraising goal, triggering Knight's matching donation of $500 million, bringing the total funds raised to $1 billion.

November 2015: Donation Towards New Sports Complex

In November 2015, Philip Knight and his wife donated $19.2 million towards a new sports complex project at the University of Oregon.

January 2016: Construction Started for Sports Complex

In January 2016, construction started for a new sports complex at the University of Oregon, funded in part by a donation from Philip Knight.

June 2016: Retirement from Nike Board

In June 2016, Philip Knight's retirement from the Nike board took effect.

September 2016: Sports Complex Construction Ended

In September 2016, construction ended on the new sports complex at the University of Oregon, named the Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center. It includes motion capture systems, neurocognitive assessment tools, a 40-yard dash track, and steam machines made by Nike to help athletes break into their footwear more quickly.

December 2016: Donation of Nike Stock to Charity

In December 2016, Knight disclosed that he had donated $112 million in Nike stock to charity.

2016: Contribution to Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

In 2016, Philip Knight contributed $400 million to start the Knight-Hennessy Scholars graduate-level education program at Stanford University.

2016: Donation to UO for Science Complex

In the fall of 2016, it was announced that Philip Knight would donate $500 million to the University of Oregon for a new three-building laboratory and research science complex.

September 2017: Came Out of Retirement for Phil Knight Classic

In September 2017, Philip Knight decided to come out of retirement to put black back in the UNC jerseys for the Phil Knight Classic in Portland, Oregon.

2018: Donation to Knute Buehler

In 2018, Knight donated $3.5 million to Republican Knute Buehler during the Oregon gubernatorial election, criticizing the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System and the state's fiscal situation.

2021: Funded Hayward Field Renovation

In 2021, Philip Knight helped to fund the renovation of Hayward Field, a track and field stadium at the University of Oregon. The project was estimated to cost $270 million.