Phil Knight
Phil Knight
Philip Hampson "Phil" Knightis an American business magnate and philanthropist. A native of Oregon, he is the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc., and previously served as chairman and CEO of the company. In November 2015, Forbes named Knight the 15th richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$28.1 billion. He is also the owner of the stop motion film production company Laika...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEntrepreneur
Date of Birth24 February 1938
CityPortland, OR
CountryUnited States of America
We are committed to improving working conditions for the 500,000 people who make our products,
They have done great things within what you would call established American sports. Freddy has the potential to bring soccer almost for the first time into the public's consciousness. Soccer in the United States isn't really part of the culture. What it needs, I think, is a superhero, and he clearly could be it. Now, that's putting a lot of pressure on him, but the kid's got all the potential to do that.
A few years ago there was a poll in China to name the greatest man ever. The winner was Mao, but there was a tie for second between Zhou Enlai and Michael Jordan of the Chicago Red Oxen!
Our business practices are no different than those of our competitors, but we are bigger, and thus more visible, so we get more flack.
I am pleased with the strides we've made in our global equipment business where revenues grew 41 percent this past quarter and 37 percent year-to-date, ... The strong dollar continues to negatively impact our European results; constant dollar revenues in Europe were up 23 percent in the second quarter.
I'm Phil Knight, and I don't believe in advertising.
I don't consider myself enigmatic, but I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my public persona.
It doesn't matter how many people you offend, as long as you're getting your message to your consumers. I say to those people who do not want to offend anybody: You are going to have a very, very difficult time having meaningful advertising.
Perception can be changed
We wanted Nike to be the world's best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don't end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.
I still get real nervous when I go in front of more than two people.
Up until the time I was 14 years old, I was sure that I was going to be a big-league baseball player. But that dream came to a rude awakening when I got cut from my high school baseball team.
I truly believe the American consumer doesn’t want to buy products made under abusive conditions.
My job is to listen to ideas, maybe cook up a few of my own, and make decisions based on what's good for the shareholders and for the company.