How Phil Knight Built the Fortune
Phil Knight is worth an estimated $15.65B today — #36 on the world's rich list. Co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc.
The fortune didn't appear overnight. The first milestone on the public record came at age 26: co-founded blue ribbon sports. Everything after that is a chain of documented decisions — this is that chain, year by year.
The Milestones
1964: Co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports
at age 26Started the company with his track coach Bill Bowerman, selling imported running shoes out of the trunk of his car.
1971: Renamed Nike
at age 33Rebranded the company Nike, adopting the now-famous Swoosh logo.
1980: Nike IPO
at age 42Took Nike public.
2016: Stepped down as chairman
at age 78Retired as Nike's chairman, becoming chairman emeritus.
Today: #36 in the world
Phil's net worth is an estimated $15.65B, updated in real time from public holdings. See the live number →
Milestones are drawn from widely-reported public history; ages are computed from the birth year and can be off by one depending on the month. Net worth is our real-time estimate.