2. Knight’s Background
Born in Oregon
Graduate of University of Oregon
Ran track for four years
Went to Stanford grad. School of
business
3. The Start
Distribution deal in Kobe, Japan for Tiger
running shoes after college
Teamed up with former track coach Bill
Bowerman to create Blue Ribbon Sports
(1964)
Sold sneakers out of mini van at track meets
Made $3,240 in its first year
4. Nike Accomplishments
Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike
Corp.(1996)
Hit $6.5 billion (with a $550 million in
income)
One of the biggest shoe/clothing
companies in the world
5. Small Downfall
Knight was named a corporate crook in Michael
Moore’s book Down Size This
The book exploited the harsh labor in the Nike
sweatshops in Indonesia
Knight made sure there were better regulations in
this factories.
6. Nike Endorsements
Michael Jordan : Biggest endorsement
Tiger Woods (Golf)
Kobe Bryant (Basketball)
Derrick Jeter (Baseball)
Michael Vick (Football)
7. Retirement
Knight retired as Nike’s CEO in November
2004
He retained his position as chairman of the
board
Only owns 20% of company now
Knight became Forbes
24th richest American in
2009