As the co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight built his career around the world of sports. Nike is ubiquitous. Chances are, you’ve probably worn their shoes or a hoodie or something similar. Knight also built his vast wealth around sports—thanks to his work with Nike, he has a reported $47.2 billion net worth, per Forbes.
With all that money, it’s his next really ambitious endeavor that is already sending massive shockwaves around the sports world.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Knight and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Smolinisky have submitted a $2 billion written offer to become co-owners of the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s worth noting that the purchase would tie for the third-most-expensive purchase of an NBA franchise in the league’s history.
It would not only be Knight’s first stake in the ownership of a professional American sports team; it might even help keep the Blazers in Portland.
The presence of Phil Knight in the proposed ownership group speaks to its desire to keep the Blazers in Portland and move the franchise forward there. Again, talks are ongoing on the possible purchase of the franchise. https://t.co/6rJ0Rk6AFI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2022
Knight, of course, was born and raised in Portland. He continues to live in the area and Nike maintains its headquarters in nearby Beaverton, Oregon.
Once news of the potential deal broke, NBA fans and analysts from all over were taken aback that the sports apparel mogul was making a foray into team ownership.
gonna put Blazers tickets on the SNKRS app lmao https://t.co/kJnKBqJXpS
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) June 2, 2022
As usual with deals, be it trades or team sales, the ones that actually happen are the ones no one has a clue about until they happen. The prevailing thought for over a year around the league had been that Larry Ellison was the frontrunner to be the Blazers’ eventual buyer.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) June 2, 2022
If the Blazers are going to be sold to anyone, Phil Knight is the ideal person to buy them. Oregon's own with a spectacular track record of building successful organizations in the sports industry.#RipCity
— Pinwheel Empire (@PinwheelEmpire) June 2, 2022
BLAZERS GOTTA HAVE 18473728237383235 UNIFORM COMBOS IF THIS WORKS OUT https://t.co/n6OvbMxl8W
Every concept Blazers jersey about to be brought to life https://t.co/j6S9akq75Z
— Joe Simons (@joesimonssays) June 2, 2022
Wouldn’t Phil Knight owning an NBA team be a conflict of interest since Nike is the NBA’s official jersey supplier?
Couldn’t he circumvent the salary cap by signing players to above-market shoe contracts? Does the NBA have any way to police this? https://t.co/sffO8PCseb
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 2, 2022
Anytime anyone brought up Phil Knight buying the Blazers I laughed because I thought owning a team was something he never wanted but I’ve never been happier to be wrong
— Blazer Banter (@blazerbanter) June 2, 2022
Another Dodgers limited partner ready to have his own spotlight, but not wanting to go all the way to England to get it. https://t.co/xtFGSSFCU8
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) June 2, 2022
Phil Knight off the top rope!!! Big news if this all shakes out. Two people that are all about winning and would put to rest the fear of the Seattle move, https://t.co/UTwCkPMv6u
— Sgt Thunderfist M.D. aka Jason Scukanec aka Suke (@suke1080) June 2, 2022
Wow. I'm not mad about this. Phil wouldn't move the Blazers out of Portland. Hope this deal happens. https://t.co/ZlmDCxK6q4
Am I the only one afraid of Uncle Phil making the Blazers be his uniform test-dummy of the NBA? @UniWatch https://t.co/idzR6W2VUF
— Ian B (@ianb78) June 2, 2022
This is exactly the type of news I needed to hear 🙏🏼🤷🏽 https://t.co/Au1kFlt2fJ
— Adam Bjaranson (@AdamKOIN6) June 2, 2022
Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning
Looking at the best bets for Friday's four WNBA games.
Who needs to step it up before they join Joe Girardi on the curb?
Hint: a lot of us are usually wrong.
© Copyright For The Win 2022
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email for a confirmation.