The New York Post just did a story on Phil Knight a few days ago and his cashing in his stocks for Nike and making 1.05 billion dollars in little over a month.
The 70-year-old Nike founder has done hundreds of separate stock sales since mid-April, collecting $1.05 billion - well ahead of his $780 million cash-out of shares in 2007. That’s the year he placed 14th in Vanity Fair’s ranking of windfalls made by the rich from selling stock or family empires.
With that new cash flow going to Knight’s bank accounts will Oregon see even more money come their way?
What will the critics of the University taking the money say about this?
Times are going to sure get interesting in the future with all the building going on on campus. Knight has made mention multiple times he would like the UO to have an indoor track and field facility and he would do everything in his power to get one. Well I am sure 1 Billion can go a long ways to getting that built.
Theres lots of options for Knight to donate to when it comes to sports but I am sure the UO will also see a nice spike in money donated to the academic side as well. Dorms are needed to be refurbished and even rebuilt along with more updating on some of the older school buildings.
Matt
Ducks Sports News Blogger
Ducks Attack Editor
9 responses so far ↓
1 Life is what you make it // May 8, 2008 at 1:40 pm
It would be hilarious if, in the face of all this criticism, he donated another chunk of money. That would be awesome. I think cowtown would implode, and hopefully take the Oregonian down with it.
2 Mark Deuel // May 8, 2008 at 2:19 pm
If Knight is the “owner” of the University of Oregon, is he a minority owner of Stanford too?
What about all the schools that wear Nike, would he be on the board of those schools?
Knight donates a ton to UO and rightfully so, its alma freaking mater. But Nike’s money is so far reaching it’s stupid to say it begins and ends at Autzen stadium.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/august9/knight-080906.html
3 duck1fan // May 8, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Life is what you make it, you are not alone on your thoughts!!! I’m “so” tired of hearing all of these other bloggers ripping knight a new ….. It’s good to see that there is supporters out there for what all he is doing for our university!! It’s funny how people criticise how knight is “controlling” the university but all he has done is donate millions of dollars and put some conditions on the donations. What is so wrong with that? Were so quick to criticise him but if he has found a way to be as successful as he’s been in his professional life then why would we not want him involved as much as possible? I tell you what who ever has been as successful as he’s been you can stand up and criticise him until then don’t try to act like you know what’s best for the university!!
4 Hank Hosfield // May 8, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Does this avaricious anticipation/speculation strike anyone else as crass?
As for Phil’s gifts to Stanford, I’m unaware of any power plays he’s accused of making down on The Farm. But I do recall that this $105 donation was grumbled about within UO circles as a shot across the bow of Bill Moos. It was a philanthropic windfall for Stanford, and a reminder to the UO that Phil could easily take his generosity elsewhere.
5 Matt // May 8, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Duck1fan, I wasnt implying that more money from Knight would be a bad thing at all.
Personally, I am a firm believer in the fact that if a school’s sports teams do well the university will have more students apply to that school, more donations to sports and academic, and more overall interest in the school will all rise.
6 DuckJDuck // May 9, 2008 at 6:42 am
Here is what I think has happened: Phil Knight has secretly purchased the Oregonian, and with it, John Canzano. Every time he donates more money to the U of O Canzano writes another lame unsubstantiated column criticizing both Phil and the U of O for “selling out” and ruining the academic environment. People are outraged at Canzano’s ridiculous assertions, more attention is paid to the paper and Canzano, more papers are sold, and everyone is happy. It’s all one big conspiracy. Just like Canzano, I can’t prove a thing I am saying, but that doesn’t stop me from saying it.
7 duck1fan // May 9, 2008 at 8:28 am
Matt- I guess I should’ve clarified that I wasn’t pointing that comment at you. That was at 90% of the other people commenting on here lately. I know if I put a comment on here it should be referring to your blog. I was just so suprised to see someone actually excited about Phil’s involvement in the university without something negative to say along with it. It’s like they want the best of both worlds!
8 Mark Byrd // May 9, 2008 at 9:30 am
PHIL KNIGHT ISNT GOING TO QUIT DONATING MONEY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF O REGON BECAUSE OF SOME PINHEAD NAMED canzano OR BY ARTICLES IN THE oregonian….BAN THEM BOTH!!!!!!!!!
9 Zachary Vishanoff // May 9, 2008 at 1:32 pm
In related news a meeting is being held soon with the public and lawmakers to consider Civic stadium preservation. Listed in the Eugene Weekly it says the meeting is on May 14 at 7:05 pm at EWEB(sometimes they get it wrong-has anyone else
heard about this?)