Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey filled with trials and triumphs. A track athlete at the University of Oregon, Knight was inspired by his coach, Bill Bowerman, to create better running shoes. Armed with a business degree from Stanford and a vision, he traveled to Japan in 1964 to strike a deal with Onitsuka Tiger (now ASICS) to distribute their shoes in the U.S.

Starting out, Knight sold the shoes from the trunk of his car at local track meets. Despite early enthusiasm, he faced skepticism from banks unwilling to lend to his unproven venture, forcing him to use his own savings and secure loans from family members. The initial years were fraught with challenges, including quality issues and a difficult split with Onitsuka Tiger, which led to legal battles.

Undeterred, Knight and Bowerman decided to design their own shoes. The iconic swoosh logo was conceived for just $35, and the first Nikebranded shoes debuted in 1972. When the athletes at the U.S. Olympic Trials wore these shoes, Nike gained instant credibility. But success didn't come easy; Nike was nearly crippled by the U.S. Customs Service with an unexpected $25 million bill in 1975.

Through sheer grit, strategic acumen, and an unwavering belief in his vision, Knight navigated these challenges to build Nike into a global sports apparel empire, revolutionizing not just athletic footwear but also the very ethos of athletic sponsorship and branding.
00:00 Introduction
01:34 Starting Up
07:05 Tough Times
10:49 Origin of NIKE
13:58 The Endgame

Editing by Revin Ray