ESPN Events Adds Phil Knight Invitational to Early-Season Men’s Basketball Slate

Inaugural event will feature Memphis, Oklahoma, Oregon and Oregon State

ESPN Events, in conjunction with Rip City Management and Rose Quarter, will add another early-season men’s basketball event to its lineup in 2019, with the inaugural Phil Knight Invitational (PKI). The annual event, slated to occur through 2021, will tipoff on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., with Oklahoma facing Oregon State and Oregon playing Memphis.

PKI will continue to honor Nike co-founder and 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Knight and his contributions to college basketball.“We are excited for the opportunity to grow the PKI out of the success of the PK80,” said Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events. “Mr. Knight’s impact in the sport of college basketball, as well as in Portland, is immeasurable.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to build upon the success of PK80 and partner again with ESPN Events to host the upcoming Phil Knight Invitational events at the Moda Center,” said Chris Oxley, senior vice president of business development at the Rose Quarter. “The PKI events will further the legacy of Mr. Knight’s contribution to collegiate basketball and will again bring a talent stacked roster to the Pacific Northwest.”

“I am very happy to be part of a new tradition of early season college basketball matchups with the PKI,” said Phil Knight. “We love college basketball in the Pacific Northwest and I appreciate ESPN and the Rose Quarter for making the PKI an annual event in Portland.”

Tickets will go on sale later this year, ranging from $35-$125. Information can be found at www.pkinvitational.com.