Shoe Dog Characters

Mr. Onitsuka is the owner of the Onitsuka shoe company. The first time he meets Knight, he takes a liking to him and offers him distribution rights. However, he cares about his company before anything else, which he demonstrates when he ultimately allows Kitami to betray Knight.

Knight hires Woodell to work as a salesman for Blue Ribbon. Woodell was one of the best runners in the United States until an accident paralyzed him, ending his athletic career. Woodell is a tireless employee; he never complains and supports Knight to the best of his ability.

Steve Prefontaine is a runner Knight hires to be a spokesperson for Nike. Prefontaine is one of the best runners in the world, and he works tirelessly to promote Nike. Sadly, Prefontaine dies after losing control of his car in 1975.

The Bureau-Kraken is a member of the United States treasury whom Knight goes to speak with after he learns Nike owes the government $25 million. In Knight’s account, the Bureau-Kraken is entirely unhelpful, and he quickly becomes Knight’s sworn enemy.

Strasser is a lawyer Knight hires to represent him in Blue Ribbon’s legal battle against Onitsuka. Strasser quickly becomes close with the Blue Ribbon team, and Knight hires him full time after the end of the trial.

Rudy approaches Knight with the idea of injecting air into shoes for increased support and comfort. Nike ultimately implemented Rudy’s design, which caused problems at first but eventually captured the market.

Fujimoto is an employee of Onitsuka whom Knight meets in Japan. They become friends for life when Knight buys him a bicycle after learning his home was destroyed in a typhoon. To pay Knight back for his kindness, Fujimoto operates as Knight’s eyes and ears inside Onitsuka.

Matthew Knight is Knight’s firstborn child. Matthew and Knight have a difficult relationship as Matthew grows older because Knight is often absent, prioritizing his work above his family. Tragically, Matthew died in a scuba-diving accident in 2000.

Travis is Knight’s second son. Although he goes through his own phase of rebellion, Travis is much closer to his father than Matthew.

Bill Knight is Knight’s father. He is a reserved man who cares more about “respectability” than anything else. Nonetheless, he supports his son’s endeavors and often provides financial backing.

Lota Knight is Knight’s mother. Like Knight, she is fiercely competitive. She also believes in her son and always backs him up, even when Bill is skeptical.

The Marlboro Man is a man to whom Onitsuka gives the rights to distribute their shoes in the eastern United States before Blue Ribbon becomes a large company.

Doug Houser is Knight’s cousin as well as Blue Ribbon’s first legal representation. He does a lot of his initial work for Blue Ribbon pro bono because he knows the company cannot afford to pay him.

Hayes is Knight’s boss when he works at Price Waterhouse. Knight hires Hayes to work at Blue Ribbon, and he becomes an integral part of the team.

Carolyn Davidson is a graphic design student Knight meets at Portland State. Knight hires her to create the Nike logo.

Ito is Knight’s contact at Nissho. He supports Knight’s endeavors, even when Knight is not fully honest with him.

Bork is a hotheaded former track coach that Knight hires quite early on to work for Blue Ribbon.

Mr. Morimoto is the representative for Onitsuka Knight meets the second time he goes to Japan.

Sarah is a woman Knight briefly dates after his return to the United States. She breaks up with Knight because, according to her, he is not sophisticated enough.

Jeanne is Knight’s sister. She briefly works for Blue Ribbon doing secretarial work.

Johnson’s father is a firm man who confronts Knight when he feels Knight is taking advantage of Johnson.

Knight hires Hollister as a salesman for Blue Ribbon. Like many of Knight’s employees, Hollister is a former runner.

Gorman is a talented and capable employee of Blue Ribbon who accompanies Knight on Knight’s visit to Taiwan.

Robinson is a successful businessman whom Knight occasionally asks for advice about how to run Nike.

Werschkul is a friend of Strasser’s whom Knight hires to help represent Blue Ribbon. Werschkul is integral in resolving the legal dispute between Nike and the U.S. Customs Office.

Nelson is a former accountant who Knight realizes has a terrible fashion sense after putting him in charge of Nike’s apparel line. Knight quickly realizes his mistake.

Hatfield is a senator from Oregon. He helps Knight with his dispute with U.S. customs.

Knight hires Chang, an expert in Chinese business practices, to help Nike break into the Chinese market.

Carter is one of Knight’s college friends. He travels with Knight to Hawaii.

Mr. Miyazaki is Knight’s first contact at Onitsuka.

Frisbee is one of Bill Knight’s friends. Knight approaches him asking for career advice after returning from his travels.

Jaqua is Bowerman’s lawyer. He helps Blue Ribbon with some of its early legal issues.

Dot is Penny’s mother. She is unsure of Knight at first but quickly warms up to him.

Hilliard represents Onitsuka in its lawsuit against Blue Ribbon.

James the Just is the ill-tempered judge who oversees the Onitsuka vs. Blue Ribbon trial.

Iwano is Kitami’s assistant. He testifies honestly at the Onitsuka v. Blue Ribbon trial.

Holland is Knight’s contact at the Bank of California.