Phil Knight Quotes

United States, Businessman
February 24, 1938

Philip Hampson Knight (born February 24, 1938) is an American business magnate and philanthropist. A native of Oregon, he is the co-founder and current Chairman Emeritus of Nike, Inc., and previously served as chairman and CEO of the company. As of August 2018, Knight was ranked by Forbes as the 28th richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$34.7 billion. He is also the owner of the stop motion film production company Laika.

Also known as Philanthropist

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.

Phil Knight
- Up
- Time
- School
I don't consider myself enigmatic, but I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my public persona.

Phil Knight
- Time
- Thinking

In running, the only equipment that really matters - at least the mentality was in those days - were the pair of shoes that you wore.

Phil Knight
- Running
- Shoes
At first, we couldn't be establishment, because we didn't have any money. We were guerrilla marketers, and we still are, a little bit. But, as we became No. 1 in our industry, we've had to modify our culture and become a bit more planned.

Phil Knight
- Money
- Culture
Every businessman, or every person who has a passion for his work, is torn for the time spent at work and the time spent with your family.

Phil Knight
- Time
- Work
- Family
If you're trying to get into the sports business, you really have to find a niche.

Phil Knight
- Trying
- Business
- Sports
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.

Phil Knight
- Up
- World
- Focus
No parent should have their child die before he or she does.

Phil Knight
- She
- Die

When you really understand who you are, it enables you to fight and believe.

Phil Knight
- Believe
Sports is like rock 'n' roll. Both are dominant cultural forces, both speak an international language, and both are all about emotions.

Phil Knight
- Rock
- Sports
I'm Phil Knight, and I don't believe in advertising.

Phil Knight
- Believe
When we changed from Tiger to Nike, we had to have a design for the shoe. And where do you go to? There's no 'dial 9-1-1' for design.

Phil Knight
- Design
- Tiger
We knew we could fail; we just didn't think we would.

Phil Knight