Basic Information
- Full Name: Philip Hampson Knight
- Born: February 24, 1938
- Birthplace: Portland
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Businessman, investor, philanthropist
- Best Known For: Co-founding Nike, the world's largest athletic footwear and apparel company.
Early Life and Education
Phil Knight was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He attended:
- Cleveland High School
- University of Oregon – Journalism degree
- Stanford Graduate School of Business – MBA
At Stanford, he wrote a paper proposing that Japanese running shoes could compete with German brands. This idea later became the foundation of Nike.
Founding Nike
In 1964, Phil Knight and his former track coach, Bill Bowerman, founded a company called:
In 1971, the company officially became Nike, named after:
- Nike
Famous Nike Swoosh
- Designed by Carolyn Davidson
- Originally paid just $35 for the design.
- Later received Nike stock and additional compensation.
Nike's Growth
Under Knight's leadership, Nike expanded into:
- Running shoes
- Basketball shoes
- Football gear
- Sports apparel
- Lifestyle fashion
Major athlete partnerships included:
Family
Wife
Phil Knight is married to:
- Penelope Knight
Often known as Penny Knight, she has been heavily involved in philanthropy and charitable giving.
Children
Phil and Penny Knight had three children:
1. Matthew Knight
- Born in 1969.
- Tragically died in 2004 while scuba diving in El Salvador.
- The loss deeply affected the Knight family.
In his memory:
- Matthew Knight Arena was named after him.
2. Travis Knight
Born: 1973
He is:
- Film director
- Producer
- Former rapper
- Businessman
Career
CEO of:
Known for animated films:
- Kubo and the Two Strings
- Bumblebee
- Coraline
- ParaNorman
3. Christina Knight
Phil Knight's daughter, Christina Knight, keeps a low public profile and very little information about her private life is publicly available.
Wealth
Phil Knight has consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest individuals.
Primary wealth sources:
- Nike shares
- Investment holdings
- Family trusts
His family remains among the richest families in the United States.
Philanthropy
Phil and Penny Knight have donated billions of dollars to:
Education
- University of Oregon
- Stanford University
Medicine
- OHSU
Their donations have supported:
- Cancer research
- Medical education
- Scientific innovation
- Scholarships
Book
Phil Knight wrote:
- Shoe Dog (2016)
The book tells:
- How Nike started
- Early struggles
- Financial challenges
- His relationship with employees
- The growth of Nike into a global brand
It is widely regarded as one of the best business memoirs ever written.
Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Hampson Knight |
| Born | February 24, 1938 |
| Company | Nike |
| Wife | Penelope "Penny" Knight |
| Children | Matthew, Travis, Christina |
| Famous Book | Shoe Dog |
| Net Worth | Among the wealthiest people in the world |
| Main Legacy | Co-founder of Nike and major philanthropist |
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