Phil Knight was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 24, 1938.
Raised in a family that valued hard work and perseverance, he developed a passion for sports, especially track and field, early on.
Knight attended the University of Oregon, where his love for sports continued to grow. He later honed his entrepreneurial skills at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
In 1964, Knight co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) with Bill Bowerman, his former track coach, with just a $50 loan from his father.
The company, initially a distributor for Japanese shoe company Onitsuka Tiger, eventually became Nike.
In 1971, Knight and his team rebranded BRS to Nike, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory.
Under Knight's leadership, Nike expanded beyond footwear to include a diverse range of sports apparel and accessories, introducing groundbreaking marketing strategies and forming strategic partnerships with top athletes.
Despite facing stiff competition and controversies, particularly regarding labor practices, Knight's commitment to integrity and innovation helped Nike navigate through challenges and thrive.
Transitioning from CEO to Chairman, Knight focused on philanthropy, supporting various causes through the Knight Foundation and other initiatives
Phil Knight's journey from a modest startup to a global leader in sports apparel is a testament to his passion, perseverance, and innovative spirit.