Former (Retired)Retired · Dec 28, 2004
Rank #8 Globally
Quick Answer & Tenure Summary
Phil Knight served as Co-Founder & CEO of Nike for a verified duration of 36 years 11 months (13,487 days), from Jan 25, 1968 until Dec 28, 2004. During this tenure, Phil Knight guided Nike across major corporate milestones before departing by retired.
In Office
36 years 11 months
13,487 days
Start Date
Jan 25, 1968
Appointed 1968
End Date
Dec 28, 2004
retired
Age at Appointment
29 years old
Born Feb 24, 1938
Executive Succession & Corporate Facts
- Predecessor
- None (Founding CEO)
- Successor
- Interim / Search in progress
- Global Tenure Rank
- #8 Longest-Serving CEO in Database (View Full Rankings →)
- Company Founded
- Jan 25, 1964 (Beaverton, Oregon)
- Known Aliases
- Philip H. Knight
Tenure Milestones & Transition Timeline
Jan 25, 1968Source ↗
Blue Ribbon Sports Incorporates
Formally incorporated Blue Ribbon Sports, later renamed Nike, Inc.
Oct 26, 1984Source ↗
Signed Michael Jordan
Negotiated landmark signature shoe contract with rookie Michael Jordan, launching Air Jordan line.
Dec 28, 2004Source ↗
Retired as CEO
Handed day-to-day chief executive duties to William Perez after nearly 37 years.
Related Leaders & Rankings
Same Industry
Rankings of chief executives across Apparel & Fashion.
Global Benchmark
Compare against all 31 recorded corporate executives in our database.
Last updated:
Sources:[Nike Newsroom · 2004-12-28]