Phil Knight stepping down at Nike

Submitted by 1464 on

An interesting development to happen at the exact time we are about to announce our apparel contract.  Nike chair Phil Knight, of Pimp my Middling Athletic Department fame, is stepping down.  There's absolutely no way this has anything to do with us, right?  I'm guessing the answer is somewhere between no and audible laughter that I even suggested it...  The guy is 76.  This is just weird timing.

 

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/13176681/nike-phil-knight-76-hand-offing-chairman-duties

BlueCube

June 30th, 2015 at 7:07 PM ^

and said he has been noticing visitors coming in. Based on this traffic he said he would be shocked if Nike isn't announced very soon.

Evil Empire

July 1st, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^

But they're practically a bunch of spring chickens these days.  Last time I looked the Senate had a bunch of guys in their 80s and some in their 90s...McCain in his mid-70s was like #15 in age.  Now the median age is 61, there are only five over 80, and the oldest is Feinstein (just turned 82 in June).  So scratch that.

 

Steve in PA

June 30th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^

Said on there Knight has advised the board to find his replacement and recommended the current CEO take the Chair when he steps down.  I don't remember them saying that he was stepping down and I have not read the official statement from Nike.

bklein09

June 30th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^

Could this have anything to do with the FIFA scandal?

Also. I saw someone posted about Oregon. I doubt this will affect them much in the short term. But once Phil passes away, I wouldn't be stunned to see them eventually slip back into mediocrity. How many historical no name programs have made it to the big time and held on long term? Oregon has had a nice 10+ year run. But somewhere down the road I'm guessing they regress.




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Megatron

June 30th, 2015 at 8:07 PM ^

I thought he was in his mid 60's. Phil should in enjoy retirement since he is a billionaire and the Swoosh is billion dollar empire. Michigan will be Nike's Crown Jewel in matter of days again which Michigan should have never left the Swoosh for 3 lines Adidas.

HonoluluBlue

June 30th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

Without getting political I will suggest watching Michael Moore's "The Big One." Documentary on corporate myths that ends with an interview of Phil Knight where he comes off about as well as Charlton Heston did in "Bowling for Columbine."

sadeto

June 30th, 2015 at 11:09 PM ^

Why not? Every film is an ideological work, Moore just doesn't mask his views at all. The interview he references is actually quite interesting, Phil Knight basically comes out and says 1) he isn't interested in visiting the factories that make his shoes in Indonesia, and doesn't really care that they support a genocidal regime, and 2) he doesn't think unemployed Americans really want to work. Moore didn't have to put any words in his mouth.

HarbaughToMichigan

July 1st, 2015 at 6:58 AM ^

Oh because they aren't America - Indonesia must have a "genocidal regime"? Are you fucking kidding me? It's a democratically elected government. And Michael Moore doesn't have to put words in people's mouths? Try watching any of his other deceptive films and tell me that. That giant cheese puff acts like he fights for the common man while raking in millions by making untruthful documentaries. Calling his work "documentary" is a disservice to all other documentaries. It is more like unapologetic socialist whining covered by deceitful editing.




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