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Video: Nike CEO Phil Knight addresses Ohio State in locker room after Michigan win
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Nike CEO Phil Knight took some time out of his busy schedule (that includes a brand new, expensive coaching search for Oregon) to watch Saturday’s rivalry matchup between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan in Columbus.
After the Buckeyes’ awe-inspiring 30-27 double-overtime win, Knight addressed the team in the locker room to voice his support.
“Out of the top 25 NCAA teams, Nike supplies 20 of them,” said the 78-year-old multi-billionaire. “And none of those teams are we more proud of than the one in this dressing room.”
Oregon has to feel like an overlooked younger brother after those comments, but the Ducks will soon be reaping the benefits of their “dad’s” love.
Meanwhile, Ohio State — which has a $250 million deal with Nike — likely put a few extra dollar bills in Nike’s pocket, having performed in front of a record-breaking, College GameDay-infused crowd at The Shoe.
Ohio State (11-1, 7-1) awaits its playoff destiny as Penn State clinched the Big Ten East and will play Wisconsin in the conference title game next weekend.
The next College Football Playoff rankings come out Tuesday night.
Tyler has covered college football on a freelance basis since 2010. In addition to Saturday Football, his work has been featured on ESPN Radio, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, Cox Media Group, Athlon Sports, and more.