NIKE MONEY TAKES A STAND IN OREGON

Nike money is set to rescue Oregon, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

The Knight in shining armor supposedly sees Betsy Johnson as the answer.

But first the big question:

Why, Uncle Phil? Why now?

I’m a big Phil Knight fan.

The Knight Cancer Institute at the Oregon Health Science University came to my rescue when cancer knocked.

And it knocked loud.

Actually, it wasn’t a knock. Cancer knocks the door down, smashes it, and makes itself comfortable for a short time until you die.

Nike money in The Knight Cancer Institute said, “Not so fast.”

Let’s take a ‘not so fast’ feel for Knight’s support for Oregon Republicans running for state legislature.

With Election Day a little more than a month away, Oregon’s richest man has so far reported spending $2 million on electing Republicans to the state House and Senate — far more interest than Knight has ever shown, and more than double his combined giving to legislative races since 2010.

Attempts to reach Knight about his political giving this year — which also includes another $1.75 million he’s given unaffiliated Oregon gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson — have been unsuccessful. 

What Nike Knows

I’ve been familiar with Nike since the early 70’s, first with Blue Ribbon Sports.

A kid from the town next to mine named Steve Prefontaine became a Nike man.

Back then it seemed like everyone had turned to Nike.

And Nike grew as a result. It’s still growing.

How is Nike any different than other shoe companies?

There isn’t much sportswear giant Nike doesn’t know about its customers. When Nike app users walk into its flagship store in New York City, the company knows who they are, what sports they’re into, what sizes they wear, and what colors they prefer.

Like many brands, Nike uses its apps – including Nike Training Club, Nike SNEAKRS, and the Nike app – to collect customer data. 

Last year, for instance, Nike acquired leading data analytics company Zodiac. Zodiac’s technology allows Nike to crunch together data points from customers using Nike apps – as well as other connected devices such as Fitbits – to gain insight into customer habits and predict purchasing decisions.

Nike Knows Oregon?

What’s the first thing about creating a brand?

For business grads it’s a business plan.

Sustainability is part of the plan to keep the brand viable.

Does the idea of sustainability change once you’ve conquered the world?

Nike’s campus and some nearby parcels encompass about 178 acres and house about 5,600 employees. Before the campus opened in October 1990, Nike operated out of a collection of buildings in Beaverton and the surrounding area. Nike is involved in the community, funding some local events. There have been some run-ins over zoning issues, but nothing that has risen to the level of the feud over Beaverton’s alleged plan to annex the campus.

But Nike says that issue paper – nicknamed the “smoking gun” – laid out city plans to forcibly annex the headquarters campus and make it pay about $700,000 in taxes annually, while getting practically nothing in return.

After funding improvements at colleges and hospitals to the tune of hundreds of millions, Nike money declined to invest in their own backyard.

With thousands of employees paying into the local tax structure, buying houses, sending their kids to public schools, why tag Nike money for even more?

Jackie Byers, research director for the National Association of Counties, says it should not have come as much of a surprise to Nike that Beaverton considered annexation – that is what growing cities do, after all. And state laws generally encourage them to avoid leaving any islands behind.

“Generally, you have to take everything in your path even if you don’t want it,” Byers said. “They don’t like leaving islands of unincorporated areas in the middle of an annexed area because it makes it difficult for a county to service that area.”

Good Neighbor With Nike Money

Is Nike a good neighbor in Beaverton? A good neighbor in Washington County?

They can decide that.

But, is Nike a good neighbor to Oregon when they push candidates with a confused agenda?

After four years of a nutty fucker redirecting hurricanes with a Sharpie, dispensing crackpot medical advice during a pandemic, and refusing the will of the people after a presidential election, the stench would seem too strong to embrace their party and values.

Can Oregon republicans running for office accept a proven election loss? Or do they harbor secret vendettas?

Either way, there’s an aroma wafting around them, an uncertain vision. Is it a Nike vision? A Phil Knight vision?

Is Oregon in more need of rescue than Mississippi?

Let’s ask Lifeguard Betsy Johnson:

“Without the money and machinery from the two party system, I need all the help I can get to rescue Oregon,” Johnson said in April of Knight’s donations. “Phil Knight deeply loves Oregon and is willing to put his money where his heart is like so many others helping our campaign. I am proud to have him in my corner.”

As a cancer survivor, I’m glad to have Knight Cancer Institute in my corner. But I’m curious as to why Phil Knight can’t find a better way to save Oregon, the state of Oregon. He’s already done work on the U of O.