Summary
In Shoe Dog, Nike co-founder Phil Knight offers a candid and riveting account of the company's journey from a $50 startup to a global powerhouse. Knight brings to life the risks, setbacks, and triumphs that shaped Nike's remarkable ascent. Released in 2016, this memoir quickly became a bestseller and won praise from not only critics but also business leaders for its honesty and insight into the challenging world of entrepreneurship. Bill Gates named Shoe Dog one of his top five books of 2016, while Warren Buffett lauded Knight as “a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller.”
Netflix acquired the film rights to Shoe Dog in 2018. The adaptation is set to be produced by Knight himself alongside five-time Oscar nominee Frank Marshall, with a screenplay by the writers of Ed Wood. The release date remains unannounced.
Overview
Shoe Dog begins in 1962 when, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrows $50 from his father to start a company importing high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Knight sells these shoes from the trunk of his Plymouth Valiant, grossing $8,000 in his first year. From the company’s humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports, the book chronicles the early days of what would eventually become Nike.
The memoir follows Knight's journey as he navigates the challenges of building a start-up. He recounts the numerous risks and setbacks he faced, as well as his early triumphs. Knight describes how he assembled a team of “misfits and seekers” who would become his first partners and employees, forming a tight-knit group united by their shared mission and belief in the spirit of sport.
Throughout Shoe Dog, Knight provides an insider's perspective on the evolution of his company from a small importing business to a global brand. He shares the story behind the creation of the iconic Nike “swoosh” and how this logo grew to become one of the most recognizable symbols worldwide. The book also touches on Knight's personal life, including his experiences backpacking around the world at age 24, which led to his decision to pursue an unconventional path in business.
Knight's candid account captures the messy, perilous, and chaotic journey of building a successful business, highlighting the sacrifices and endless struggles involved. The memoir concludes with Nike becoming the global powerhouse it is today, with annual sales exceeding $30 billion, changing the landscape of the athletic shoe and apparel industry.
Themes
Entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking
Perseverance through adversity
Importance of teamwork and relationships
Innovation and disruption in business
Personal growth and self-discovery
Power of passion and belief in a mission
Global expansion and cultural challenges
Setting
Shoe Dog is set primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, an era of social change and economic growth in the United States. This period saw the rise of counterculture movements, the Vietnam War, and rapid technological advancements that transformed American society. Against this backdrop, Phil Knight's journey unfolds, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that characterized the times.
The memoir spans several continents, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Knight's story begins in Oregon, where he attends the University of Oregon and later establishes Blue Ribbon Sports, the precursor to Nike. The narrative also takes readers to Japan, where Knight sources his first shoes, and across various American cities as the company expands its operations and influence.
Specific locations play crucial roles in the Nike story, including the iconic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, where Knight's passion for running is nurtured, and the first Nike retail store in Santa Monica, California. The book also offers glimpses into the company's early offices in Portland, Oregon, and the factories in Asia where Nike's shoes are manufactured, providing a global perspective on the brand's growth and impact.
Key Figures
Phil Knight: The author and protagonist. Knight is the co-founder and former CEO of Nike. He details his journey from a young, ambitious Stanford graduate to the leader of one of the world's most recognizable brands. Knight's narrative reveals his struggles, doubts, and triumphs as he builds Nike from the ground up.
Bill Bowerman: Knight's former track coach at the University of Oregon and co-founder of Nike. Bowerman is a legendary figure in the running world, known for his innovative shoe designs and coaching techniques. He plays a crucial role in the development of Nike's early products and provides essential support to Knight throughout the company's growth.
Jeff Johnson: Nike's first full-time employee. Johnson is a passionate runner and salesman who helps establish the company's early identity and culture. Through his dedication and creative ideas, he contributes significantly to Nike's initial success.
Bob Woodell: An early Nike employee who becomes a key executive in the company. Woodell, despite being confined to a wheelchair, demonstrates remarkable resilience and business acumen in helping to grow Nike.
Penny Knight: Phil Knight's wife and supportive partner throughout Nike's journey. She provides emotional support and stability during the company's tumultuous early years.
Onitsuka Tiger: The Japanese shoe company that initially supplies Knight with running shoes to sell in the United States. Their business relationship eventually sours, leading to a legal battle and pushing Knight to create Nike's own line of shoes.
Steve Prefontaine: A talented American long-distance runner who becomes closely associated with Nike. Prefontaine's charisma and competitive spirit help elevate Nike's profile in the running community.
Carolyn Davidson: The graphic design student who creates Nike's iconic “swoosh.” For a modest fee, she designs the logo that later becomes a significant part of Nike's brand identity.
Quick facts
Shoe Dog reached #5 on the New York Times bestseller list for business books.
Phil Knight’s memoir was ghostwritten by Pulitzer Prize-winning author J.R. Moehringer.
Knight borrowed the initial $50 to start the company that eventually became Nike from his father.
In the company’s early days, Knight sold shoes out of the trunk of his lime green Plymouth Valiant.
The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports.
The famous Nike swoosh logo was created by a graphic design student for just $35.
Bill Gates named Shoe Dog one of his five favorite books of 2016.
An abridged young readers edition was released in 2017.
Netflix acquired the film rights to adapt the memoir into a biopic in 2018.
Warren Buffett praised Shoe Dog as “the best book I read last year."
About the Author
Philip Hampson Knight, born in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, is the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc. Knight's journey from a middle-distance runner at the University of Oregon to becoming a billionaire businessman is a quintessential American success story. After earning his MBA from Stanford in 1962, Knight embarked on a world trip that would change the course of his life and the sports industry forever.
In 1964, Knight and his former track coach Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports, which would later become Nike. Knight's innovative approach to importing high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan and Bowerman's expertise in shoe design laid the foundation for what would become a global sportswear empire. The company's iconic “swoosh” logo, commissioned for just $35 in 1971, has since become one of the most recognizable brand symbols worldwide. Knight’s 2016 memoir, Shoe Dog, offers an intimate look at the man behind the Nike empire and has been widely praised for its candor and insights into the challenges of building a global brand.
Beyond his business acumen, Knight is known for his significant philanthropic contributions. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to his alma maters, the University of Oregon and Stanford University, as well as to Oregon Health & Science University. Knight's total lifetime giving approaches $2 billion, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in Oregon's history. His donations have funded everything from academic buildings and athletic facilities to cancer research initiatives.
