Travis Knight
NIKEAbout Travis Knight
Travis Knight is President and CEO of LAIKA, LLC, an animation studio he helped build since 2003, rising from Lead Animator to CEO in 2009; he directed Kubo and the Two Strings and produced other Academy Award–nominated films like The Boxtrolls and ParaNorman . He has served on NIKE’s Board since 2015 and is currently age 51; he sits on the Executive Committee and is the son of NIKE co‑founder Philip Knight, Chairman Emeritus . The Board has formally determined Mr. Knight is not independent under NYSE rules due to his family relationship and Philip Knight’s compensation as Chairman Emeritus .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAIKA, LLC | Lead Animator; VP of Animation; President & CEO | 2003–present (CEO since 2009) | Oversaw principal creative and business decisions; led award‑winning films (BAFTA for Kubo) |
| Will Vinton Studios | Various animation roles | 1998–2002 | Stop‑motion animator on TV series, commercials, promotions; Emmy‑recognized work on The PJs |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Public/Private | Committees/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAIKA, LLC | President & CEO; Board Director | 2009–present | Private | Studio leadership and governance |
| Other public company boards | None | — | — | NIKE proxy lists no other public directorships |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Executive Committee member; FY25 meetings held: 0 (committee actions via unanimous written consent when necessary) .
- Independence status: Not independent under NYSE rules due to being Philip Knight’s son; independence threshold triggered by Chairman Emeritus compensation .
- Board attendance: Board met 4 times in FY25; all incumbent directors attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings; all directors attended the 2024 annual meeting .
- Board leadership: Chair is Executive Chairman Mark Parker; Tim Cook re‑appointed Lead Independent Director in June 2025 for 3 years; executive sessions of non‑management directors are held at least annually .
- Director election rights: Class A elects 9 of 12 directors; Class B elects 3, given current capital structure; Class A convertible into Class B at holder’s option; Class A primarily held by Swoosh, LLC formed by Philip Knight .
Fixed Compensation
| Fiscal Year | Cash Retainer ($) | Committee/Lead Fees ($) | All Other ($) | Total Cash ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | 100,000 | 0 | 0 | 100,000 |
| FY2025 | 100,000 | 0 | 0 | 100,000 |
Notes:
- NIKE director program: annual cash retainer $100,000; Lead Independent Director $40,000; committee chairs $25,000 ($30,000 for Audit & Finance); Audit & Finance members $5,000; matching gifts up to $20,000; travel reimbursement .
Performance Compensation
| Fiscal Year | RSU Grant Value ($) | Unvested RSUs (shares) | Options Outstanding | Vesting/Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | 190,770 (grant‑date fair value) | 1,981 (each non‑employee director as of 5/31/2024) | None (non‑employee directors) | Annual RSU valued at $200,000 granted at annual meeting; forfeiture if service ends before next annual meeting or 12 months post‑grant |
| FY2025 | 190,305 (grant‑date fair value) | 2,437 (each non‑employee director as of 5/31/2025) | None (non‑employee directors) | Annual RSU valued at $200,000; award sized using 20‑day average price; same forfeiture terms |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Entity | Nature | Potential Interlock/Related Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swoosh, LLC | Major holder of Class A stock | Knight Family entity (estate planning vehicle) | Class A primarily held by Swoosh; controls majority of director seats via class voting |
| Philip Knight | Chairman Emeritus | Father of Travis Knight | Received $500,000 salary plus medical/dental in FY25 |
| LAIKA, LLC | Private company | Mr. Knight is CEO and director | No NIKE‑LAIKA transactions disclosed |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Skills matrix: CEO Experience; Media/Entertainment; Financial Expertise .
Equity Ownership
| Security Class | Shares Beneficially Owned | Percent of Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIKE Class B (direct) | 6,531,321 | 0.6% | Direct beneficial ownership as of June 30, 2025 |
| NIKE Class A (via Travis A. Knight 2009 Irrevocable Trust II) | 27,181,369 | 9.4% | Trust holds 8,038,989 directly and 19,142,380 via indirect subsidiary; Mr. Knight disclaims beneficial ownership except to extent of pecuniary interest |
| NIKE Class B (deemed via conversion of Class A held by Trust) | 27,181,369 | 2.2% | SEC deeming of Class A convertible into Class B; same disclaimer applies |
| Unvested RSUs (director) | 2,437 shares (as of 5/31/2025) | — | Applies to each non‑employee director |
| Options | None for non‑employee directors | — | — |
Ownership alignment policies:
- Director stock ownership guideline: 5× annual cash retainer; compliance required within 5 years of election; “each of our directors has met or is on track” .
- Hedging prohibited; pledging requires pre‑approval; applies to directors and family/household; pre‑clearance evaluates pledge size and foreclosure risk .
Governance Assessment
- Independence and conflicts: Not independent due to family relationship and Philip Knight’s compensation as Chairman Emeritus; presence of Knight Family entities (Swoosh, LLC) with significant Class A control is a structural governance consideration for investor confidence .
- Ownership alignment: Large direct Class B holdings (0.6%) and additional deemed holdings via Trust indicate substantial skin‑in‑the‑game, though disclaimers limit beneficial attribution; RSU annual grants and 5× retainer guideline further align incentives .
- Committee effectiveness: Mr. Knight serves only on the Executive Committee, which held no formal meetings in FY25; he does not serve on audit, compensation, or governance committees—minimizing direct influence over pay and financial oversight .
- Attendance and engagement: Board met 4 times; all incumbents met ≥75% attendance and directors attended the 2024 annual meeting, supporting baseline engagement .
- Related‑party oversight: Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Governance Committee reviews related‑person transactions; FY25 disclosure includes Philip Knight compensation and a consistent policy framework .
- Shareholder signals: 2024 say‑on‑pay received ~83% support; compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors with no interlocks, supporting pay governance quality .
RED FLAGS
- Not independent under NYSE rules due to family relationship and Chairman Emeritus compensation .
- Concentrated voting control via Class A stock held by Knight Family entity Swoosh, LLC, which influences Board elections .
Balanced mitigants
- Lead Independent Director with robust duties (Tim Cook), regular executive sessions, and independent chairs on key committees .
- Formal related‑party transaction review policy and disclosure .