You could argue that there is no man more important in the state of Oregon than Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike. You may even be able to argue that he is among the most important people in the world of sports, for that matter.
It turns out that Knight, one of the most legendary figures in Oregon Ducks history, is making a bid to keep professional sports in the state, with a $2 billion-plus offer to buy the Portland Trail Blazers.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Knight, alongside Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky, has made a written offer to purchase the Blazers, which are currently owned by the late Paul Allen’s trust.
According to Wojnarowski, Knight’s goal is to keep the Blazers in Portland, rather than have them be sold to another party that could potentially move them outside of Oregon.
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 is among the most famous alumni of the University of Oregon, and his endless donations to both the Ducks’ athletics and educational departments make him among the most recognized boosters in the nation.
We will see if he can venture into the NBA with a potential purchase of the Blazers, and keep an eye on this development as it continues to progress.
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