Phil Knight

Philip Hampson “Phil” Knight, whose nickname is “Buck” is an American business magnate and philanthropist. A native of Oregon, he is the co-founder and current chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., and previously served as chairman and CEO of the company.

  • Phil Knight, founder of shoe giant Nike, retired as chairman in June 2016 after 52 years at the company.
  • Knight ran track at the University of Oregon and created Nike shoes with his former track coach, Bill Bowerman.
  • In 1964, they each put up $500 to start a company then called Blue Ribbon Sports.
  • Nike had 2018 revenues of $36.4 billion with 73,100 offices in 52 countries.
  • Knight has pledged over $500 million in donations to both the University of Oregon and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, his alma maters.

Nike Phil Knight