(Beaverton, OR)  --  Nike founder Phil Knight has plans to step down as chairman of the sporting-goods giant.  Nike has released statements saying Knight, who co-founded the company more than 50 years ago, has recommended that CEO Mark Parker succeed him as company chairman.  Knight says Parker is the "best choice" to chair Nike and has been an outstanding CEO for the last nine years.  Knight, who's 77-years-old, will likely step aside in 2016.