Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight Sparks Health Concerns Amidst Generous Donations
The 88-year-old billionaire's use of a cane at a University of Oregon football game draws attention, while his significant charitable contributions continue.
Nike co-founder Phil Knight, 88, has drawn attention and sparked health concerns following his appearance at a University of Oregon football game on Saturday. Footage of the billionaire, a prominent donor to the university, showed him using a cane as he entered Autzen Stadium for the Ducks' game against UCLA.
The visual of Knight using a mobility aid led to widespread commentary on social media, with some fans expressing sadness and noting that he appeared to have aged. "Makes me sad to see this," one user posted on X. "He looks very frail." Others offered well wishes and acknowledged his age. Amidst these observations, many expressed gratitude for his continued attendance at university events.
The game itself resulted in a loss for the Oregon Ducks, who were defeated by UCLA 17-15 in a contest marked by numerous turnovers. Knight's presence at the game occurred shortly after he and his wife Penny committed $1.1 billion to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the Providence Heart Institute. This recent donation is earmarked for the construction of the state's first hospital dedicated to women's health, as well as expanding cardiovascular care and research programs.
This substantial gift follows another significant contribution in September, when Knight donated $1 billion to establish the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, a new engineering school at the University of Oregon. Over the past two decades, the Knights have donated more than $9 billion in total charitable giving, with a significant portion directed towards the University of Oregon and Stanford University. Their philanthropic efforts have also extended to organizations focused on women's health, economic revitalization in underserved communities, and initiatives supporting brain health research.
Knight, who is Chairman Emeritus of Nike, continues to attend board meetings, though he is no longer a voting member. The company recently reported stronger-than-expected profits for its latest quarter, though revenue fell short of expectations, and its fiscal year profit forecast also missed analyst targets.