Knight said that he has been surprised by the intensity of the criticism regarding Hayward FieldGETTY IMAGES
Nike co-Founder & Chair Emeritus Phil Knight spoke publicly for the first time about the "controversy surrounding" Hayward Field renovations, the issues that "led him to walk away from the project, and the feelings that ultimately drew him back in," according to Austin Meek of the Eugene REGISTER-GUARD. Knight returned to the project "with the understanding that things would have to change." Nike VP/Design & Special Projects Tinker Hatfield, credited with "some of the company’s most influential ideas, no longer had a role," while Howard Slusher, a "longtime Nike consultant and Knight confidant, became the de facto project manager, executing a vision far different from the one represented in Hatfield’s original designs." Plans now call for the "demolition of the stadium’s historic East Grandstand and the construction of an enclosed bowl around three sides of the track, accompanied by a nine-story tower on the stadium’s northeast corner." With a reported cost of $200M, the design has "encountered strong opposition from supporters of the East Grandstand, who continue their public and private appeals to preserve the structure." Knight said that he has been "surprised by the intensity of the backlash." Knight: "When those bulldozers in July knock that East Grandstand down, I am the most reviled man in Eugene.” Meanwhile, Hatfield is "holding out hope that a compromise can be reached to save the East Grandstand." He sent Knight a letter "detailing his concerns." But Knight has "shown no signs of changing his mind." Knight has learned to "see disagreement as a healthy part of the creative process, and often the catalyst for innovation." He said, “This one is tougher because it’s so personal to everybody” (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 6/3).
PLEADING HIS CASE: Hatfield in an email wrote, "The new GLASS HORSESHOE design is beautiful, even sensual and on TV and in person it will be spectacular. The big problem is, IT DOES NOT WORK. The curving glass roof creates a sense of place but is most unfortunately NON FUNCTIONAL." He added, "Please don't let this mistake of epic proportion be the eventual end of the Hayward Field magic" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/2).
