Phil Knight (Nike)

Phil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, the iconic global athletic footwear and apparel brand. Established in 1964, Nike originally started as Blue Ribbon Sports, selling imported running shoes. Knight, a former middle-distance runner and graduate of Stanford University, partnered with his former coach, Bill Bowerman, to create innovative products. Under their leadership, Nike revolutionized sports marketing and branding, introducing the "Swoosh" logo and motivational slogans like "Just Do It." Knight's vision transformed Nike into a powerhouse, making it one of the most recognized and successful companies in the world, known for quality, innovation, and cultural impact in sports.