Phil Knight’s influence on American sport—and global athletics more broadly—transcends business. As the co-founder and longtime driving force behind Nike, Knight has helped shape the identity and performance of generations of athletes, including those competing for Team USA. His legacy is defined by an unwavering commitment to innovation, athlete empowerment and the Olympic and Paralympic ideals.
Knight’s relationship with the Olympic Movement is deeply personal. A former University of Oregon middle-distance runner under the legendary Bill Bowerman, he transformed a modest shoe distribution business into one of the most iconic athletic brands in the world. From those early days selling sneakers out of his car, Knight never lost sight of the athlete experience, continuously investing in technologies, partnerships and programs that elevate performance.
Since 1991, Knight and Nike have been foundational partners of USA Track & Field and, beginning in 2005, of Team USA at large. In 2014, Nike and USATF extended their partnership with one of the most substantial sponsorship deals in Olympic sport history—a 23-year agreement underscoring Knight’s long-term commitment to the success of American athletes. Nike now outfits Team USA athletes at every Olympic and Paralympic Games, providing apparel that blends cutting-edge technology with iconic design.
Knight’s support has not only helped Team USA compete at the highest level, but also ensured that Olympic and Paralympic athletes remain at the forefront of sport and culture. Through powerful global marketing campaigns and storytelling that highlights the human side of athletic achievement, Knight and Nike have celebrated the resilience, diversity and excellence of athletes across every discipline.
In 2025, Phil Knight was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame as a special contributor—an honor recognizing more than five decades of extraordinary impact on sport, both on and off the field of play.