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SCOTT SMITH's avatar

Oh come now, Mathias. Let's just make this simple: where do you think Oregon would be sitting in the world of CFB without Phil Knight's monetary involvement? I can answer that, because I'm old enough to remember them sans PK. Answer? About where Oregon State is right now, stuck in a small rural town with little national tradition or attraction for urban black athletes. I'm not an Oregon hater nor arrogant enough to tell PK where to spend his money, but for you or any Duck fan to pretend he hasn't solely lifted Oregon athletics above Eugene's punching weight is delusional. It's not something to be ashamed of, or apologetic---just lucky. Absorb a joke about it on occasion...

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Jean Southworth's avatar

Exactly, Scott.

The Phil Knight factor isn't simply the heap of money he donates to buy players and build buildings. It's the advertising and marketing that comes with that money and the associated Nike expertise that created UO's beloved "brand." This incentivizes people to purchase Duck gear and attend games. It's all part of the package, one and the same.

I'm also old enough to remember football life pre-PK. I attended the infamous Toilet Bowl. Scott is correct that PK can do whatever he chooses to spend his money. But UO would absolutely be in the Pac-3 were it not for Uncle Phil.

And Mathias, name-calling never is helpful and says more about you and your lack of argument than anything else. You can do better.

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SCBeav's avatar

Jean and Scott are right on. Why have the Ducks drawn more fans to Autzen and sold more merch? Because they win. Why do they win? Because of Phil's investment. It went down in this order: 1. Phil invested in facilities. 2. Better facilities attracted better players. 3. Better players created more wins, bowl games, and national exposure. 4. More wins and national exposure created more revenue. I have said on this site before: It's virtually impossible to find a Duck fan who will admit that if it weren't for Phil, the Ducks would be the Beavers.

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The Real Rich's avatar

Lotta jealousy on this thread. Oregon wins and Trojans and Beavers fans play the laughingstock "it's not fair" game.

Cry me a river. Need a tissue? USC cheats, gets caught, hasn't won since and needs to point at something other than themselves. Oregon State fans? That 1965 Rose Bowl was something, wasn't it!

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Jean Southworth's avatar

Responses people have when they're short of good arguments:

1. Resort to name-calling.

2. Insist that others are "just jealous" of them.

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The Real Rich's avatar

Even nicer when it's true.

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Jean Southworth's avatar

Nope. But if that makes you feel better...

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The Real Rich's avatar

I feel great - I'm a Ducks fan and I'm not jealous of anybody, Jean.

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Jean Southworth's avatar

Glad to hear it, Rich. Rock on.

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The Real Rich's avatar

Thank you, I will.

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Tre Hester's avatar

Oregon was back to back conference champions and went to the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl back to back before PK started donating. Oregon has been a huge beneficiary of PK. So has Oregon State. PK is the sole reason that Pat Casey stayed at Oregon State. Show me school that has not been a beneficiary of a big booster.

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