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21. 1980
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Shoe Dog, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Entrepreneurship, Experience, and Perseverance
Leadership
Global Economies
Balancing Family and Work
Summary
Analysis
Years later, in 2007, Knight and Penny meet Bill Gates and Warren Buffet at a movie theater that is screening The Bucket List. The subject of the film brings Knight, Gates, and Buffet to talk about what they have left to do on their bucket lists. When it’s Knight’s turn to answer the question, he thinks back on what has happened sign Nike went public and wonders if he has anything left to do.
In 2007, Knight was 69 years old. At this point, Nike is one of the largest companies in the world, so one might think Knight has crossed everything off his bucket list. After all, having accomplished so much, it is hard to imagine he would have a lot left to do.
Themes
In 2006, Nike sold $16 billion worth of shoes, apparel, and other merchandise. They outsold Adidas by roughly $6 billion. Over the years, Nike recruited dozens of elite athletes, celebrities, and performers to represent their brand. In particular, Knight points to Tiger Woods as a great representative of the Nike brand. Knight deeply loves and respects Tiger because of the support he showed Knight when Matthew tragically died in 2000.
Largely, this chapter serves as an epilogue to explain many of the developments in Nike’s history after it became a publicly traded company. However, it also serves as a tribute to Knight’s son Matthew, who died at the age of 34. Because of Knight’s fame, Matthew’s death was a heavily publicized event that remains the darkest moment of Knight’s life.
Themes
Knight and Matthew always had a difficult relationship, and Knight wishes he could have been a better father to his son. Sadly, Matthew died in a tragic accident while scuba diving. Knight was not there for the incident but found out about it almost immediately. Knight regards Matthew’s death as one of the defining moments of his life. Understandably, it is also something he can never get over.
In retrospect, Knight realizes that his dedication to Nike meant he could not always be there for his son. Although it is impossible to know what could have been, Knight wishes there was a way the two of them could have been closer despite Matthew’s childhood.
Themes
Since Nike went public, Knight lost more friends and family than just Matthew. Bowerman also died suddenly, as did Strasser. However, Woodell and Johnson are both still alive and happily living out their lives. Johnson lives by himself in New Hampshire in a mansion filled with books. Knight feels regret about his relationship with Strasser because they got into a fight while trying to sign Michael Jordan to Nike. Ultimately, neither man ever forgave the other, and Strasser died disliking Knight.
Although the memoir effectively ends in 1980, it is clear that there is still a lot of history left to tell, which Knight largely skims over here. The Jordan deal alone is one of the most profitable deals in history and is the subject of several books and other forms of media. Similarly, Knight’s relationships with the founding members of Nike are exciting stories in their own right.
Themes
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Despite the low points, Knight is proud of everything Nike does and what it continues to do. Although Knight knows Nike is not always the perfect company, he strives to make it better. When Nike received negative press because of poor labor conditions internationally, Knight personally worked hard to ensure his company would lead the way in creating a globalized product that takes into consideration the humanity of the people making it. He also discusses the pride he takes in Nike’s various social causes and its emphasis on creating a better world. Because the world is not yet perfect and Nike can continue to grow, Knight knows there are still things left on his bucket list. After all this time, he still has a few Crazy Ideas left in him.
Above all, Knight wants to emphasize that Nike, as a brand, stands for constant self-improvement. It also thrives on Crazy Ideas and will not stop putting forth those ideas while Knight is still around. Knight knows his business is not without faults, but he still believes that companies like Nike are a force for social, political, and economic good. Additionally, he supports a globalized economy and does not think the world can return to the way it was when he started Blue Ribbon back in the 1960s.
Themes
