Shoe Dog
Phil Knight's only principal authored book and his definitive memoir about founding and building Nike.
Author guide
Phil Knight Books in Order
Phil Knight is an American businessman and philanthropist who founded Nike, Inc. He served as the company's chief executive officer from 1964 to 2004 and as chairman through 2016; he is chairman emeritus. His sole principal authored book is the memoir Shoe Dog, which recounts Nike's origins and early growth.
memoirbusiness nonfiction
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Nonfiction (1)
- Shoe Dog
memoir · 2016
"In this candid and riveting memoir, for the first time ever, Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight shares the inside story of the company's early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world's most iconic,…
Frequently asked questions about Phil Knight
Who is Phil Knight, and what is he best known for?
Phil Knight is the co-founder of NIKE, Inc. He helped grow the company from a small partnership into a global footwear, apparel, and equipment business and is now its chairman emeritus.
What did Phil Knight study, and where did he go to college?
Knight earned a business degree from the University of Oregon in 1959 and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He also competed in track at Oregon under coach Bill Bowerman.
Sources: about.nike.com (opens in a new tab)about.nike.com (opens in a new tab)
How did Bill Bowerman influence Phil Knight’s career?
Bowerman was Knight’s University of Oregon track coach and later his partner in founding Blue Ribbon Sports, the company that became Nike. Bowerman also used Knight to test early running-shoe prototypes, linking Knight’s athletic experience to product development.
What awards and honors has Phil Knight received?
The University of Oregon lists Knight as a recipient of its Pioneer Award and Presidential Medal. He was also elected to the 2015 membership class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
How has Phil Knight’s philanthropy shaped his legacy?
Knight and his wife, Penny, have made major gifts to education, scientific research, and cancer care, including support for Stanford, the University of Oregon, and OHSU. In 2025, they committed $2 billion to OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute, described by OHSU as the largest single donation to a U.S. university, college, or academic health center.
Sources: president.uoregon.edu (opens in a new tab)news.ohsu.edu (opens in a new tab)