Phil Knight House: Inside the Nike Co-Founder’s $2.1M Oregon Estate and Real Estate Portfolio

The man who transformed athletic footwear lives surprisingly modestly compared to his $32-35 billion fortune. Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder and chairman emeritus, maintains a primary residence in Hillsboro, Oregon, valued at approximately $2.1 million—a fraction of what many billionaires spend on real estate.

Knight’s property choices reveal the same calculated thinking that built Nike from Blue Ribbon Sports into a global powerhouse. His real estate holdings span from his main Oregon home to a high desert ranch and past California properties, each serving a specific purpose rather than simply displaying wealth.

Phil Knight’s Hillsboro House: Primary Residence Details

Knight’s main residence sits at SW Cloudrest Lane in Hillsboro, Oregon, just west of Portland. Purchased in 2012, the property encompasses more than five acres and includes a 6,826-square-foot main house built in 1973.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home reflects Knight’s preference for privacy over spectacle. Inside, the residence includes:

• Gourmet kitchen with modern appliances
• Private home theater
• Climate-controlled wine cellar
• Fully equipped fitness center
• Spa facilities
• Infinity pool overlooking the Oregon landscape
• Separate guest house

The property combines modern amenities with Oregon’s natural aesthetic. Smart home technology controls lighting, climate, security, and entertainment systems throughout. Knight shares this residence with his wife, Penelope “Penny” Knight, a noted philanthropist and equestrian.

Coyote Rock Ranch: The High Desert Retreat

Beyond his Hillsboro property, Phil and Penny Knight own Coyote Rock Ranch in Terrebonne, Oregon, near Redmond in Central Oregon’s high desert country. Penny Knight purchased the ranch in 2004, and the couple uses it as their summer residence through early fall.

The 1,100-acre ranch serves multiple purposes:

The ranch (Equestrian) operates as a premier breeding facility for cutting horses, raising American Quarter Horses with championship potential. Penny Knight, an avid horsewoman, established the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship program in 2015, awarding four annual $75,000 scholarships to veterinary students pursuing equine medicine.

The main residence (Architectural Design) features Montana Buff stone walls, knotty-hickory cabinetry, and travertine flooring. A tall stone and glass-walled walkway creates an indoor-outdoor connection. The property showcases Central Oregon’s mountain vistas and rock formations while maintaining privacy among juniper-dotted hillsides.

The (Agricultural Production) ranch produces quality alfalfa and grass hay, distributed throughout the United States and internationally.

Past Properties: California Holdings

Knight previously owned properties in La Quinta, California, within the exclusive Madison Club golf community. These holdings included:

1. Madison Club Residence

Madison Club Residence In 2009, Knight and his wife purchased a property overlooking the 13th green of the Madison Club’s golf course for approximately $2.5 million. The home was later sold after Knight acquired a different Madison Club property in 2016 for $4.25 million—a five-bedroom, five-bathroom Spanish-style contemporary home spanning 5,400 square feet with a master suite featuring a fireplace and soaking tub, swimming pool with spa, and cathedral-style ceilings.

2. La Quinta Resort Property

La Quinta Resort Property Knight also owned a 4,437-square-foot residence off the 12th fairway of the Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort and Club, featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms. This property was listed for $1.55 million in 2019.

3. Land Holdings

Land Holdings Knight sold land at Madison Club for $2 million after purchasing it for $2.5 million, demonstrating his willingness to adjust holdings based on changing needs rather than emotional attachment.

4. Private Jet Hangar

Knight owns a 29,000-square-foot hangar facility near Oregon for his private aircraft. This practical investment prioritizes convenience and functionality, reflecting the same business mindset that built Nike.

Real Estate Philosophy: Strategic Over Showy

Knight’s approach to property mirrors his business strategy at Nike. Rather than accumulating trophy estates across multiple continents, he concentrates his holdings in areas serving specific purposes:

The Hillsboro (Primary) property provides proximity to Nike headquarters in Beaverton while offering privacy and luxury amenities on substantial acreage.

Coyote Rock Ranch (Seasonal Retreat) serves as a summer escape, combining personal interests in equestrianism with agricultural investment and family time.

California holdings (Past Vacation) provided winter retreats but were sold when they no longer served his lifestyle needs.

This measured approach contrasts sharply with many billionaires who maintain multiple mansions worldwide. Knight’s portfolio suggests he values properties that enhance his life rather than simply showcase his wealth.

The Nike Connection: From Stanford to Billions

Understanding Knight’s real estate choices requires context about his journey building Nike.

Born February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon, Knight attended the University of Oregon, where he ran middle-distance track under coach Bill Bowerman. Knight’s personal best was running one mile in 4 minutes, 13 seconds, earning varsity letters in 1957, 1958, and 1959.

After earning his business degree from Oregon in 1959, Knight attended Stanford Graduate School of Business, where a class called “Small Business Management” sparked the idea that became Nike. His MBA project proposed importing high-quality Japanese running shoes to compete with established German brands in the American market.

In 1964, Knight and Bowerman established Blue Ribbon Sports through a handshake agreement on January 25. Knight handled business operations while Bowerman experimented with shoe design innovations. Knight initially sold shoes from his green Plymouth Valiant at track meets across the Pacific Northwest.

Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike, Inc. in 1971, named after the Greek goddess of victory. The company introduced the now-iconic swoosh logo that year. Nike went public in December 1980. Knight served as CEO from 1968 to 2004 and chairman until June 2016, when he transitioned to chairman emeritus.

As of early 2026, Knight’s net worth is estimated between $32-35 billion, making him one of America’s wealthiest individuals. His fortune derives primarily from his Nike ownership stake—the Knight family controls over 97% of Nike’s Class A shares and 21% of Class B shares through individual holdings, Swoosh LLC (a family trust), and son Travis Knight’s irrevocable trust.

Beyond Nike: Laika and Other Ventures

Knight owns Laika, a stop motion film production company known for animated features including “Coraline.” He founded Athletics West, an American running team, in 1977 alongside Bowerman and Geoff Hollister.

Philanthropy: Where the Money Goes

While Knight maintains modest personal residences, his philanthropic giving dwarfs his real estate spending.

In August 2025, Phil and Penny Knight pledged $2 billion to OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute (Oregon Health & Science University)—the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college, or academic health center. This brought their total giving to OHSU to more than $2.7 billion over 17 years. The donation will expand clinical trials, basic cancer research, and patient support services while establishing the Knight Cancer Institute as a self-governed entity within OHSU under Dr. Brian Druker’s leadership.

Knight has donated over $1 billion to his alma mater, including:

• $500 million for the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
• Funding for multiple athletic facilities, including Matthew Knight Arena (named after their late son), Autzen Stadium expansion, Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, and Hayward Field renovation
• Over 30 endowed chairs and professorships
• Knight Library expansion and William W. Knight Law Center

Knight donated $400 million in 2016 to launch the Knight-Hennessy Scholars graduate program. In May 2022, he and Penny gave $75 million to establish the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.

In April 2023, Knight pledged $400 million to the 1803 Fund, supporting Portland’s historically Black Albina neighborhood. The fund focuses on education, place, culture, and belonging for Black Portlanders in inner North and Northeast Portland. The handshake deal that launched Nike occurred in Lower Albina near Memorial Coliseum, connecting Knight personally to the area.

According to the Portland Business Journal, “Knight is the most generous philanthropist in Oregon history.” Over the past 20 years, the Knights have given more than $7.8 billion to nonprofit organizations.

Family Life and Personal Details

Phil Knight married Penelope “Penny” Hampson on September 13, 1968. The couple had three children:

Travis Knight (born 1973) currently serves as CEO and President of Laika and sits on Nike’s board of directors. Travis owns Nike shares directly and through trusts.

Matthew Knight (1970-2004) died in a scuba diving accident in El Salvador at age 34 due to an undetected congenital heart defect. Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon honors his memory.

Christina Knight is a philanthropist supporting environmental, education, and women’s health causes.

Penny Knight serves on boards including the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Health & Science University Foundation, and Portland Art Museum. Her passion for horses drives the Coyote Rock Ranch operations and veterinary scholarship program.

FAQs

Does Phil Knight own multiple properties?

Yes. Knight owns his Hillsboro primary residence and Coyote Rock Ranch. He previously owned properties in La Quinta, California, which he has since sold.

What luxury features are in Phil Knight’s house?

The Hillsboro property includes a home theater, wine cellar, fitness center, spa facilities, infinity pool, smart home technology, and a separate guest house.

Does Phil Knight invest in real estate?

Knight makes strategic real estate investments but maintains a focused portfolio. Real estate represents a small portion of his wealth compared to his Nike holdings and philanthropic commitments.

Who does Phil Knight live with?

Knight shares his home with his wife, Penny Knight. The couple uses the Hillsboro property year-round and Coyote Rock Ranch during summer and early fall.

Conclusion

Phil Knight’s real estate portfolio tells a story about priorities. With unlimited resources, he could own properties rivaling the world’s most expensive estates. Instead, his $2.1 million primary residence provides everything needed: privacy, comfort, proximity to Nike headquarters, and space for family gatherings.

His philanthropic giving—exceeding $7.8 billion over two decades—vastly surpasses his personal real estate investments. The August 2025 $2 billion donation to OHSU alone represents nearly 1,000 times the value of his primary home.

Knight’s approach reflects the same principles that built Nike: strategic thinking, long-term value, measured decisions, and focus on substance rather than show. He demonstrated this philosophy when he and Bowerman started Blue Ribbon Sports with a handshake deal in 1964, selling shoes from a car trunk. That same mindset continues today, whether evaluating property investments or directing billions toward cancer research and education.

For someone who revolutionized athletic footwear and sports marketing, Knight’s modest residential footprint proves that true wealth lies not in acquiring the most expensive properties, but in making calculated choices aligned with personal values and life goals.