History of Phil Knight in Timeline

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

February 24, 1938: Philip Knight Born

On February 24, 1938, Philip Hampson Knight, the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., was born. He would later become a billionaire businessman and philanthropist.

Others born on this day/year

1957: Won Varsity Letter for Track

In 1957, Philip Knight won a varsity letter for his track performances at the University of Oregon.

1958: Won Varsity Letter for Track

In 1958, Philip Knight won a varsity letter for his track performances at the University of Oregon.

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".

1959: Won Varsity Letter for Track

In 1959, Philip Knight won a varsity letter for his track performances at the University of Oregon.

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.

September 13, 1968: Marriage to Penelope "Penny" Parks

On September 13, 1968, Phil Knight married Penelope "Penny" Parks, whom he met while working at Portland State University where she was a student.

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.

September 1983: Davidson Received Nike Stock

In September 1983, Carolyn Davidson received an undisclosed amount of Nike stock for her contribution to the company's brand by creating the swoosh logo.

1986: Financed Neil Goldschmidt's Campaign

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

1989: Golden Plate Award

In 1989, Knight received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

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.

April 4, 2000: Student Sit-in at Johnson Hall

On April 4, 2000, students initiated a sit-in at Johnson Hall, the administrative center of the University of Oregon, as part of their anti-sweatshop campaign and demands for fair labor practices.

April 2000: Anti-sweatshop Campaign

In April 2000, student leaders organized an anti-sweatshop and fair labor practices campaign, calling for the university president to support the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC). Students demanded that the Fair Labor Association (FLA) receive no consideration from the university due to its ties to Nike and other corporations.

October 2000: Frohnmayer's statement on WRC

In October 2000, the Eugene Weekly reported that University President Dave Frohnmayer stated that the WRC was providing unbalanced representation.

2000: Contribution to University of Oregon

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

2000: Induction into Oregon Sports Hall of Fame

In 2000, Knight was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame for his Special Contribution to Sports in Oregon. At the time, he had contributed approximately US$230 million to UO, mostly for athletics.

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.

May 2002: Son Matthew Knight's Death

In May 2002, Philip Knight's son Matthew died from a heart attack while scuba diving in Lake Ilopango, El Salvador.

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.

2004: Death of Matthew Knight

In 2004, Knight's son, Matthew, died in a scuba diving accident in El Salvador.

2005: Moongirl Dedicated to Matthew Knight's Memory

In 2005, Laika Studio's short film Moongirl was dedicated to the memory of Philip Knight's son, Matthew.

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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.

2009: Laika Released Coraline

In 2009, Laika released its first feature film, Coraline, in stop motion, which was a financial success.

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.

April 2011: Knight Discussed Davidson's Stock on Oprah

In April 2011, Philip Knight mentioned on the Oprah television program that he gave Carolyn Davidson "a few hundred shares" of Nike stock when the company went public.

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2011: Matthew Knight Arena Named

In 2011, the Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon was named in Philip Knight's honor.

February 24, 2012: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

On February 24, 2012, Knight was announced as a 2012 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, recognized for Nike's financial support of U.S. basketball.

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.

September 7, 2012: Formal Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

On September 7, 2012, Knight was formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.

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.

2014: Marcus Mariota won Heisman Trophy

In 2014, Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy. In 2020, the university polled alumni and fans on social media, asking them which four UO alumni they would place on a notional Mount Rushmore for the university. Knight was one of the four final choices, along with Ducks track legend Steve Prefontaine; current NFL player Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner; and Sabrina Ionescu, who had just completed an epic college basketball career for the Ducks.

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.

2015: Election to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

In 2015, Knight was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership class for his contributions to business, corporate and philanthropic leadership.

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.

April 26, 2016: Release of Shoe Dog

On April 26, 2016, Philip Knight's memoir, Shoe Dog, was released by Simon & Schuster.

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: Most Generous Philanthropist in Oregon History

As of 2016, according to Portland Business Journal, Philip Knight is the most generous philanthropist in Oregon history with nearly $2 billion in lifetime gifts.

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.

July 2018: Shoe Dog on NY Times Best Seller List

In July 2018, Philip Knight's book, Shoe Dog, was rated fifth on The New York Times Best Seller list for business books.

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.

2018: First Class of Knight-Hennessy Scholars

In the fall of 2018, the first class of 51 scholars from 21 countries was scheduled to arrive at Stanford as part of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

2018: Honorary Degree Recipient

Philip Knight was the University of Oregon's 2018–19 honorary degree recipient.

2020: UO Mount Rushmore

In 2020, Knight was chosen as one of the four UO alumni on a notional Mount Rushmore for the university, as polled by alumni and fans on social media.

July 2021: Net Worth

As of July 2021, Philip Knight has a net worth of $60.8 billion.

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.

May 2022: Gifted Stanford to Establish Brain Resilience Initiative

In May 2022, Phil and Penny Knight gifted Stanford $75 million to establish the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience.

September 2022: Donation to Betsy Johnson

Until September 2022, Knight gave $3.75 million to independent candidate Betsy Johnson.

October 2022: New York Times Interview

In October 2022, Knight spoke with the New York Times about his support for Republican candidates, arguing Oregon's government had drifted too far left and describing himself as "more conservative than Nike."