The Nike Swoosh Cost $35 in 1971
When he appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in April, Nike co-founder Phil Knight told the talk show host that his company paid Carolyn Davidson $35 for her logo design in 1971.
Knight caught Davidson by surprise during a September shareholders meeting when he announced The Swoosh creator had been given "500 shares of stock, which she has never sold, and is worth close to $1 million this day." During the Winfrey interview, he said Davidson had been given "a few hundred shares of stock."
Davidson won't say how many shares were printed on the Nike stock certificate given to her Sept. 15, 1983, during a party the company threw in her honor. She will say, however, "I am not a millionaire," and that she has been "well compensated" for her design. She's also held on to her shares.