Meet Phil Knight, Nike co-founder who sold shoes from his car trunk in 1964, 61 years later, he and his wife pledged $2 billion to a cancer institute

Phil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, who started his company by selling running shoes from his car in 1964. Years after the successful launch of the brand, he pledged $2 billion with his wife, Penny Knight. The aim was to support cancer research and care in one of the largest philanthropic gifts in US history.

How did he start selling shoes in 1964?

Phil Knight was a runner at the University of Oregon and later studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business. While studying there, he looked for the possibility of selling affordable and high-quality Japanese running shoes in the US. At that time, German shoes were very prominent.

He once went to Japan, and arranged to distribute shoes made by Onitsuka, the Japanese brand behind the Tiger brand, which later became associated with ASICS. In 1964, he teamed up with his former University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman. Later, they established Blue Ribbon Sports. They both invested $500 to start the business, according to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.


Knight then sold shoes directly to runners. He often used his car to sell them instead of a shop. Later, he continued working as an accountant and teaching while building the business. He went full time in 1969.

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How Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike?

Blue Ribbon Sports first distributed the Onitsuka Tiger. In 1970's it started developing its own shoes under the Nike name. In 1971, Nike-branded football shoes were launched and the company launched its famous logo in 1972. The name of the brand was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory.

The brand later became a global sportswear business that now sells footwear, apparel and other sports equipment.

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Philanthropic commitment

In 2008, Phil and Penny Knight donated $100 million to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) for its cancer institute. In 2003, the couple pledged another $500 million.

Later, in August 2025, they announced a $2 billion commitment to OHSUs Knight Cancer Institute. The donation was aimed at bringing scientific research, early diagnosis, innovative treatments, clinical trials and patient support together in a more integrated cancer-care system.