Nike co-founder and chairman Phil Knight was spotted at Saturday night’s Alabama-LSU game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. wearing Crimson Tide gear.
Alabama head softball coach Partick Murphy tweeted a picture of him and head baseball coach Mitch Gaspard with Knight — an Oregon alum — after the game.
Great night at Bryant Denny. @MitchGaspard and I w/Mr. Nike, Phil Knight. Thanks for what you do for @UA_Athletics! pic.twitter.com/7oAimURStH
— Patrick Murphy (@UACoachMurphy) November 10, 2013
Alabama and Nike have been partners for nearly 20 years and agreed on a seven-year, $30 million extension in 2010. The extension means the university’s teams will continue to wear Nike gear for the duration of the extension.
Knight’s clothing choice on Saturday is another incident among many this season involving Alabama and Oregon. Two Oregon students created T-shirts in October with the words “We want Bama” on the front, causing Alabama to respond with a T-shirt of their own with the words “You Don’t Want Bama” inscribed.
Crimson Tide fans also poured salt in the wounds of Ducks fans after Oregon lost to Stanford 26-20 on Thursday. Fans posted a photo of a “We want Bama” shirts with those three words crossed out and replaced them with “We Forgot Stanford” below.
Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel first reported seeing Knight in Crimson Tide apparel:
Well this is going to break Oregon's heart. Down on sideline Phil Knight just walked by dressed in Alabama gear.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 10, 2013
More reaction from Twitter:
@UACoachMurphy @Erik_Elken @MitchGaspard @UA_Athletics ouchtown population the Ducks
— Andre Yruretagoyena (@BigAndreAZDK) November 10, 2013
@BigAndreAZDK @UACoachMurphy @MitchGaspard @UA_Athletics Apparently Phil wants Bama
— Erik Elken (@Erik_Elken) November 10, 2013
@BigAndreAZDK @Erik_Elken @UA_Athletics I am too hurt…and shocked….and offended….and hurt!
— Jason Marsh (@firenards1) November 10, 2013
Phil Knight = shameless frontrunner. RT @UACoachMurphy: Great night at Bryant Denny. pic.twitter.com/ZssAUUgl28
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) November 10, 2013
“@UACoachMurphy: Great night at Bryant Denny. w/Mr. Nike, Phil Knight! pic.twitter.com/QchLmfx6zn” Bahahahaha Oregon is helllla sad!! #NoLoyalty
— Justin Jolly (@JJolly6) November 10, 2013
@JJolly6 He was finalizing a nike deal with Bama, chill
— Louie (@louisvuittonC0n) November 10, 2013
Oregon fans, if you're concerned about Phil Knight's loyalties, I encourage you to drive past the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex tomorrow. #GoDucks
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) November 10, 2013
Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415