Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Entrepreneur

Phil Knight

Phil Knight is an American businessman best known as the co-founder of Nike, Inc.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Phil Knight is the American co-founder of Nike, Inc. He helped turn a small shoe distributor into a global sportswear giant.

Background

Phil Knight was born in Portland, Oregon in 1938. He studied at the University of Oregon and earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. In 1964, he co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports with Bill Bowerman, which later became Nike.

Building Nike

Under Knight's leadership as president and CEO, Nike grew from a small distributor into a major multinational brand. He was instrumental in the company's innovative marketing and global expansion, making Nike a household name in sportswear.

Legacy and philanthropy

Knight authored the memoir *Shoe Dog*, chronicling Nike's early years. He and his wife have donated large sums to charitable causes through the Knight Foundation. Knight is also associated with Laika, the stop-motion animation studio.

In short

  • Co-founded Nike in 1964 with Bill Bowerman
  • Served as Nike's president and CEO for decades
  • Author of the memoir *Shoe Dog*
  • Major philanthropist through the Knight Foundation
Canadian angle

Knight is relevant to Canadian readers as the co-founder of a major global sportswear company with a significant retail and cultural presence in Canada.

Quick questions

Who is Phil Knight?
Phil Knight is an American businessman and the co-founder of Nike, Inc.
What company did Phil Knight found?
He co-founded Nike, which began as Blue Ribbon Sports.
What is *Shoe Dog*?
*Shoe Dog* is Phil Knight's memoir about the founding and early growth of Nike.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phil-Knight
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, co-founding Nike, leadership role, company history.
  2. NIKE, Inc. — https://about.nike.com/en/company/people/philip-h-knight
    Supports: Official biography, education, Nike roles, co-founding, career timeline.
  3. Forbes — https://www.forbes.com/profile/phil-knight/
    Supports: Family philanthropy and ownership/wealth context.
  4. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike/dp/1501135910
    Supports: Authorship of *Shoe Dog* and memoir description.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0461044/bio/
    Supports: Marriage and family details, association with Laika, birth information.