Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

In It to Win It

(12,135 posts)
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 05:11 PM Nov 25

Nike Founder Phil Knight Announces Record-Breaking Political Donation

Nike founder Phil Knight is known for being heavily involved in Oregon athletics. The billionaire sports brand founder has given a ton of money to Oregon football, track, basketball and other sports. He's not just giving his money to college athletics, though.

The 87-year-old founder has made a record-breaking donation to the political world. Knight, a Portland, Oregon native, has made a record-setting donation to the Republican Party.

Knight donated $3 million to Republicans in Oregon. It's the biggest donation made to Republican candidates or political action committees in Oregon state history. Knight's company, Nike, is based in Oregon.

Knight made the donation back in October.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nike-founder-phil-knight-announces-174916413.html
31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Nike Founder Phil Knight Announces Record-Breaking Political Donation (Original Post) In It to Win It Nov 25 OP
God I hate him. He thinks he can buy every office here in Oregon. SaydiTom Nov 25 #1
Glad I don't own any Nikes... He's sounds Cha Nov 25 #20
Same. bamagal62 Nov 25 #27
Never ever buy another Nike shoe UpInArms Nov 25 #2
Never have... never will. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Nov 25 #4
I think I bought a pair back in the 80s UpInArms Nov 25 #5
We were always too poor to get such a thing. OldBaldy1701E Nov 25 #14
I had to buy them because a job UpInArms Nov 25 #19
Wow... no 'restaurant sole'? OldBaldy1701E Nov 25 #29
Especially the new Air Pedo line Blue Owl Nov 25 #8
I've been going with Columbia and New Balance. ananda Nov 25 #11
Love New Balance, been wearing them for about 25 years. Enter stage left Nov 25 #16
Yes, they're well-made and designed to fit. ananda Nov 25 #17
Same, but my go to kicks are Brooks and No Bull brands. Wuddles440 Nov 25 #25
Pro Sports are mostly regressive SamuelTheThird Nov 25 #3
Boycott Nike. poli-junkie Nov 25 #6
Well fuck him and Nike -- will NEVER buy their shoes again Blue Owl Nov 25 #7
Welll thats the last piece of shit clothing I buy. Historic NY Nov 25 #9
Might as well throw it in a volcano. maxsolomon Nov 25 #10
So... use his money against him Abstractartist Nov 25 #12
Never bought Nike because of their labor practices... JT45242 Nov 25 #13
Phil Knight is a former slave owner. JohnnyRingo Nov 25 #15
Money down a rathole, especially for the governorship race. valleyrogue Nov 25 #18
I like the persistence though. In It to Win It Nov 25 #22
He, his wife, and his son I think it is, valleyrogue Nov 25 #23
Not just Nike. Also, fuck Converse and Hurley who are owned by Nike. flvegan Nov 25 #21
He's probably in for a big surprise at the Pearly Gates hunter Nov 25 #24
Sweatshop king wants to exploit more people Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 25 #26
Ugh BlueWaveNeverEnd Nov 25 #28
I bought my last pair of Nikes Hobo Nov 25 #30
Give him the same treatment my pillow guy and Elon got. ChicagoTeamster Nov 25 #31

SaydiTom

(73 posts)
1. God I hate him. He thinks he can buy every office here in Oregon.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 05:17 PM
Nov 25

To make sure women and PoC get stripped of their rights and place in society. He is wretched.

Cha

(316,110 posts)
20. Glad I don't own any Nikes... He's sounds
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:42 PM
Nov 25

Last edited Tue Nov 25, 2025, 09:28 PM - Edit history (1)

fucking Stupid.. the Fascist Fucks Invaded Portland and he's like.. Give me More, Sir Fuckhead.

Not only that.. Killing America... What a fucking spokesperson for Nikes

Yeah, they need to be Cancelled.

bamagal62

(4,297 posts)
27. Same.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 08:15 PM
Nov 25

Nikes were always too narrow or too short for my feet.
Glad I don’t own any as well!

OldBaldy1701E

(9,752 posts)
14. We were always too poor to get such a thing.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:05 PM
Nov 25

What cracks me up nowadays is that what I wore all the time... Converse... are also majorly expensive now. They were considered the 'poor' shoe when I was growing up.

Whodathunkit?

(I did want a Nehru jacket very badly when I was young. They were out of style by the time I wanted one, but I did not care. They were also out of range, even at that time.)

UpInArms

(53,831 posts)
19. I had to buy them because a job
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:39 PM
Nov 25

(waiting tables) required that particular shoe (no reimbursement) for the “uniform”

or I would not have bought them … ever

ananda

(34,156 posts)
17. Yes, they're well-made and designed to fit.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:34 PM
Nov 25

Columbia is the coolest shoe ever.
I love the design.

SamuelTheThird

(505 posts)
3. Pro Sports are mostly regressive
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 05:19 PM
Nov 25

I know many people refuse to hear that, but overall they contribute to a dumbed down, consumerist, oligarchical society

Abstractartist

(400 posts)
12. So... use his money against him
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 05:51 PM
Nov 25

Oregon is a blue state, so counter everything the repubs say… most likely no one will believe them anyway. This needs to be an absolute blue wave complete annihilation of this MAGA cult.

JT45242

(3,782 posts)
13. Never bought Nike because of their labor practices...
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:05 PM
Nov 25

Nuw gate this fuckstick with a burning passion.

Wonder if he spent time on pedophile island

JohnnyRingo

(20,344 posts)
15. Phil Knight is a former slave owner.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:10 PM
Nov 25

It is ironic that a black entrepreneur would use slaves to fatten his pockets, but he did.

Faced with making his popular athletic footwear, he had a choice. He could make a high quality shoe in the US like New Balance and Oregon based Carson Footwear, or he could manufacture them inexpensively as possible and spend the difference on high profile endorsements and advertising. Phil Knight went with the second option. He approached Sports stars with financial offers they couldn't refuse

Seeking factories in third world countries in the Asian labor market, Knight subcontracted the hiring to sweat shop owners. As a result, people desperate for even a minimum wage took jobs that included intimidation, sexual assault, and physical violence to get those shoes on the next boat to Oregon. In most poverty stricken areas the children have to pitch in for the family's survival. A 15 year old girl with calloused hands and burn scars would fail the family if she quit the Nike factory. She would feel shamed. So they stayed as slave labor.

The workers burned the factory in Vietnam down a few years ago and many were fined for not meeting minimum wage standards... In Indonesia!

I Despise that Swoop and screw Phil Knight.

valleyrogue

(2,494 posts)
18. Money down a rathole, especially for the governorship race.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:38 PM
Nov 25

Oregon hasn't had a Republican in the Governor's Mansion since 1987 with end of the two terms of the late Vic Ateyeh, and he wasn't any right-wing nutjob, either. He first got elected in 1978, close to fifty years ago.

It isn't going to change anytime soon. Outside the outsized District 2 and other rural counties, the state is solidly Democratic.

In It to Win It

(12,135 posts)
22. I like the persistence though.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:54 PM
Nov 25

He doesn't give up on his home state even when his side is not very likely to win.

As much as I don't like the wealthy having outsized influence in politics, there has to be some left-leaning wealthy people willing to invest in red states for Democrats... especially in my state.

Even if you lose, you have to keep investing to have a chance.

valleyrogue

(2,494 posts)
23. He, his wife, and his son I think it is,
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 07:21 PM
Nov 25

are the only billionaires in Oregon, last I heard.

That is way more money than they are worth.

flvegan

(65,561 posts)
21. Not just Nike. Also, fuck Converse and Hurley who are owned by Nike.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:52 PM
Nov 25

Personally haven't owned a Nike product in decades.

hunter

(40,264 posts)
24. He's probably in for a big surprise at the Pearly Gates
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 08:04 PM
Nov 25

Go directly to hell. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

Or snakes and ladders...

I'm not actually that mean.

In heaven everyone gets to experience the hell they created, just so long as necessary.





Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Nike Founder Phil Knight ...