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Date of Birth
Philip was born in Portland, Oregon. -
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College Attendance
Knight attenden the University of Oregon and earned a degree in Journalism. While at College, he ran track under his coach, and future business partner, Bill Bowerman. -
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College Attendance
After attending Oregon University, Philip Knight attended Stanford for business and graduate study. -
Shoe Selling and Japan Travels
Philip knight began selling shoes out of the trunk of his car. Knight traveled to Japan after college, and talked his way into business meetings. He met with the Onitsaka Company, to discuss shoes. The traveling in Japan influenced Philip to start his own business. Old track coach, Bill Bowerman and Knight each put $500 into starting a company called Blue Ribbon Sports, where they sold shoes supplied from Japan. -
Marriage
Philip Knight married Penelope Parks. -
Track and Field Event
The year the Olympic Track and Field event was held in Oregon, it was Knight's chance to further his business. He took the chance and supplyed many of the top runners with his shoes. -
Time for a Change
Philip Knight decided to change the name of Blue Ribbon Sports after the greek goddess of victory, Nike. Along with that, he found the iconic logo of the nike swoosh. -
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First Jordan Shoe Produced
Nike had paid Jordan's fine for wearing the shoe, helping Nike gain major publicicty. -
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Signing Micheal Jordan
Nike signed Micheal Jordan, with the first contract lasting for five years. -
Just Do It
This was the year the famous "Just Do It" saying was introduced, and it has stuck with Nike ever since. -
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Sweatshop Scandal
The greatest controversy Knight had to confront in the 1990s was growing criticism of how Nike contracted with "sweatshops" in Southeast Asia to produce its shoes. Although Knight eventually responded to Nike's critics with a program of reforms, he and Nike continued to be a prime focus of many anti globalization groups. -
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Signing Tiger Woods
Nike signed Tiger woods, and the first contract lasted about five years. -
Nike Expansion
Nike branched out into hockey, golf, and soccer apperal, opened huge Nike stores in shopping malls, and continued its dominance in the track and field area. Nike had more than 10 billion in yearly sales before 1999. -
Largest Revenue
This was the year Nike readed its largest revenue ever, $24.1 billion.