Despite his rumored deal with Adidas, Vaccaro believes that Jordan is the generational talent that will change Nike forever and after an inspirational chat with George Raveling, Vaccaro decides to. AIR stars Matt Damon as the outspoken Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, Michael’s mother, who was a fierce advocate for. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. PHOTO: Ana Carballosa/Prime Matthew Maher, Matt Damon, and Jason Bateman as Peter Moore, Sonny Vaccaro, and Rob. The second person Michael gives credit to for his deal with Nike is George Raveling, who had been convincing him to go with Nike for years. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking $2. -George Raveling movie quotes from AIR (2023) You got it. Raveling took up a rival position at. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, one of Jordan’s coaches at the 1984 Olympics; and Viola Davis as Michael’s mother, Deloris Jordan. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. -Sonny Vaccaro; I think I’m going to be remembered. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. The trailer for Air was released on February 9. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. While accounts differ over who is most responsible for the partnership, Air focuses largely on Sonny Vaccaro, the Nike executive said to have first conceived the idea. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. O. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling seriously and straightforwardly. Julius Tennon as James R. That’s probably not a revelation to anyone who’s been following high school and college basketball recruiting for years, and familiar with names like Sonny Vaccaro and George Raveling. Phil Knight is sinful. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. In doing so, Vaccaro ended up having a falling out with his friend George Raveling, who served as a coach at Southern California, Iowa, and Washington State. The film also stars Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Matt Damon as marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, Chris Messina as sports agent David Falk, Marlon Wayans as basketball coach George. Vaccaro and Jordan. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on a quest to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7The first trailer is here for “Air,” the movie starring Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike executive trying to sign basketball rookie Michael. Chris Messina as David Falk, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Sonny Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, so Raveling was Sonny’s second wedding best man. Affleck serves as director and co-producer alongside Damon, David. This image released by Amazon Prime Video shows Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, left, and and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in a scene from "Air. This image released by Amazon Prime Video shows Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, left, and and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in a scene from "Air. What we know about the Air cast and crew. Air, a sports biopic drama, is the newest collaborative effort between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who both star in the film. With that, all of the country’s top high school talent — and college coaches — descended on Pittsburgh to see the best of the best play. ''But that's not. He is a f***ing killer. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. " "I stayed at [Jordan's] home," Vaccaro said. Revelling/Reckoning: Directed by Zach Neumeyer. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. Matt Damon is the star of the movie, as he plays Sonny Vaccaro,. Jordan. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan said. George Raveling, Assistant coach to Bob Knight coached MJ at USA basketball in the 1984 Olympics formed a great relationship with MJ and his family during that time. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. If you watched Matt Damon try to vie for Michael Jordan’s sponsorship for Nike in the 2023 biographical sports drama film Air, you might be wondering: where is Sonny Vaccaro now?. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling,. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Together, the Jordans and Nike changed the shoe industry forever. The starry cast includes Damon as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. Knight, Jordan, Nike exec George Raveling, and. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Olympic Men’s Basketball team), decides that he needs to go to. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. Bel-Air guest star and noted comedian Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling, a noted college basketball player and coach who would go on to be the first African American head basketball coach in the PAC-8, per the real George's LinkedIn page. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). "I traveled to. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. By remaining on this website, you indicate your consent. Sonny Vaccaro, now 78 years old, is on the phone with me, and he’s not only keen on telling me about his stories, but also on knowing who he’s speaking to. The movie tells the story of how Nike and former sports executive Sonny Vaccaro pursued a rookie MJ and eventually collaborated with him for a blockbuster deal that went on to revolutionize the sneakers industry. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Click “Start your 30-day free trial “. ' Photo: Ana Carballosa. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Advert 10George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Raveling had a close personal relationship with Vaccaro at that time. There’s also a fascinating section detailing Vaccaro’s strained relationship with George Raveling, the best man at his wedding, with whom he had a falling out, Vaccaro says, after he refused. ”. Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. Led by music supervisor Andrea von Foerster, the film is a throwback to 1984 in a huge way, with plenty of songs by well-known solo artists and bands. Raveling’s shorthand with Sonny speaks of a past history and trust communicated with small gestures and easy laughs. The film also stars Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Matt Damon as marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, Chris Messina as sports agent David Falk, Marlon Wayans as basketball coach George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as creative director Peter Moore, and Jason Bateman as Nike chairman Rob. Sonny was hired by Phil Knight (portrayed by Affleck) to revamp his basketball shoe division, which has only gotten smaller since Vaccaro’s arrival. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. Sonny Vaccaro Personal Life. While Sonny Vaccaro is the main character in ‘Air’ as the story revolves around his belief in Michael Jordan more so than anybody, Michael himself has said that another man was just as instrumental, if not more, in bringing him to Nike. February 9, 2023. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Car crash and coaching retirement, 1994. Amazon Studios has released NEW STILLS for their upcoming AIR! AIR features an all-star cast, including Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Vaccaro was a significant figure in the. Papa plays Stu Inman, the former Portland Trail Blazers executive who famously selected Sam Bowie over. Vaccaro was a key figure in. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. Sonny Vaccaro credits his relationship with Michael Jordan’s mother, Deloris, as the catalyst for one of the most significant deals in sports marketing history. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Sonny even has a five-minute monologue where he predicts the whole of Jordan's future in the meeting. Vaccaro also had a big hand in helping UCLA's Ed O'Bannon bring down the NCAA's stronghold on. Falk bristled at the most recent comments from Sonny Vaccaro,. Michael doesn’t credit Vaccaro for his deal with Nike, as he claimed Sonny did not. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. AIR | Official Trailer. Prior to this encounter, MJ had no knowledge of Nike. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. ". Having spotted a promising basketball player called Michael Jordan, Vaccaro believes that this young man will help Nike outpace the competition as the new face of the brand. Sonny Vaccaro now in his. Phil Knight (Affleck) and Marketing V. After Vaccaro was let go by Nike and replaced by his best friend George Raveling, and he moved to Adidas where he snagged big names Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant for the brand, but also let others like Allen Iverson slip to Reebok. From Sonny Vaccaro to Deloris Jordan, here is what you need to know about the real people who inspired the characters in Ben Affleck's 'Air. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser. On the surface, the film tracks how sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) spearheaded a massive gamble to bet the company’s entire basketball division budget on then-rookie. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. . Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in 'Air. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Olympic team that won gold in LA. Vaccaro went to great lengths to convince Jordan, first meeting with his friend George Raveling (played by Marlon Wayans), assistant coach to Team USA’s basketball team. The package is worth approximately $100,000, according to Nike’s George Raveling. Affleck directs Damon for the first time as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, while he also steps in front of the camera to play Nike co-founder Phil Knight, with Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). The cast also includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris Tucker as Howard White. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. '. Directed by Ben Affleck, the movie stars Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, who comes up with the idea of a shoe line created around Jordan. Is the 2023 movie Air good or bad?War is hell: Former USC coach George Raveling stood up at Vaccaro’s wedding. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. The basketball star wanted Nike executive Howard White, who would become vice president of the Jordan Brand, and former college basketball coach George Raveling to be included in the story. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. to rapid success in the shoe-making. George Raveling. Marlon Wayans supports the cast as longtime college basketball coach George Raveling, who served as the head coach of three Division I basketball programs over a span of twenty years. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. ’” Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Sonny Vaccaro was fired from Nike for allegedly planning on pursuing other business ventures outside of the Nike franchise, whilst. It didn’t go well. The main cast also includes Matthew Maher. Raveling became a rival to Sonny for the same position at Nike. . But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Or Sonny Vaccaro? Or George Raveling? Or Myron Piggie? Or Worldwide Wes? Or whatever boogeyman they could sell to the public as tarnishing their pristine (and quite pretend) world. In the movie ‘ Air ’, it was depicted that Vaccaro (played by Matt Damon) and Raveling (played by Marlon Wayans) met at a California bar and the latter explained to the Nike talent scout just how much. Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. He recently appeared on the Brown and. Ben Affleck, who directs the film, stars as Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight. Matt Damon’s Nike apparel player scout Sonny Vaccaro enters a convenience store (painstakingly re-created to authentically match the era, right down to athletes on cereal boxes), also casually. While Sonny Vaccaro was convinced that he wanted to get Michael Jordan on board, he was on the fence about bypassing David Falk, MJ’s agent, and talking directly to his parents. The biopic will focus on sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. Sonny Vaccaro is played by Matt Damon. Create or log into. Other company executives in the movie include player rep Howard White (Chris Tucker), former college coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), talent scout and college dealmaker Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), marketer Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and designer Peter Moore (Matthew. Matt Damon is Sonny Vaccaro. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Vaccaro was friends with George Raveling, head coach of Washington State's men's basketball team, who introduced the pair. After 60 years in the game, the legendary basketball savant, Sonny Vaccaro, finds himself at the center of an extraordinary tale in Ben Affleck’s feature film, “Air (2023). Sonny believes he can restore Nike to its former glory by putting immense talent behind a sneaker. , Saturday, October 14, 2023. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling; Chris Messina. Sonny Vaccaro was a central figure in the O’Bannon v. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. All opinions are my own. In the movie, Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans, and, even though he is in just one rather short scene, it's a crucial one. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling;. Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball: Michael Jordan. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. He met with George Raveling (played by Marlon Wayans), a former NBA player and college. Vicki Gunvalson from 'RHOC' said there are no good single men anymore but Peter Madrigal from 'Vanderpump Rules' wants to show her there are. Julius Tennon as James Jordan. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. February 9, 2023. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. He was replaced by George Raveling, the best man at Vaccaro’s wedding, who also talked crap about Sonny in the press for doing the same stuff that Nike Hired George to do, an attempt by Knight. But the man himself credits George Raveling for the decision that changed his life. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. ” With Vaccaro at Adidas and his former best friend George Raveling running grassroots basketball at. The plot. Image via Amazon Studios. That’s probably not a revelation to anyone who’s been following high school and college basketball recruiting for years, and familiar with names like Sonny Vaccaro and George Raveling. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. One particular scene with Vaccaro and US Olympic basketball assistant coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) used a baffling amount of pull-focuses, often changing focus between Damon and Wayans. The movie depicts Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro seeking advice from Raveling, Jordan’s trusted Olympic coach, to help sign the NBA rookie to a blockbuster shoe deal in 1984. Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling: There’s nothing cool about Nike. who plays coach George Raveling. Visit Amazon Prime Video’s website. There’s also a fascinating section detailing Vaccaro’s strained relationship with George Raveling, the best man at his wedding, with whom he had a falling out, Vaccaro says, after he refused. Sonny Vaccaro is the controversial figure at the center of the most recent 30 for 30 film “Sole Man. Long gone. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. . S. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who. Jordan credits Raveling ( played in the film by Marlon Wayons ), a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who in 1983 became Iowa’s first African. The decision of Sonnu was not appreciated and taken well by Phil Knight and later he went on to fire his 'beloved' executive. The debut trailer for Air premiered on Wednesday, February 9th, and quickly introduces Sonny Vaccaro as he's brought in by Nike co-founder Phil Knight (Ben Affleck). Enter Sonny Vaccaro, a tenacious Nike employee tasked with discovering a fresh face for the brand. Ben Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon plays shoe salesman-turned Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. 7. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike exec, gets the distinct honor of delivering said Inspirational Speech at the film’s climactic moment—which,. Sonny and former coach George Raveling. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit,” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling (played in the film by Marlon Wayans) that sold him on Nike. In doing so, Vaccaro ended up having a falling out with his friend George Raveling, who served as a coach at Southern California, Iowa, and Washington State. . Jordan credits Raveling ( played in the film by Marlon Wayons ), a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who in 1983 became Iowa’s first African American men’s. While Sonny Vaccaro was convinced that he wanted to get Michael Jordan on board, he was on the fence about bypassing David Falk, MJ’s agent, and talking directly to his parents. AIR. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing with Nike. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Matt Damon plays maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight, with Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Ben Affleck 's latest film, Air, is a true story based on Nike salesman Sonny Vaccaro 's successful signing of then-rising superstar Michael Jordan. Below are step-by-step instructions for how to sign up for Amazon Prime Video’s free trial. Damon plays maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight, with Jason Bateman as Nike suit Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as Jordan’s agent David Falk, Matthew. You've got to try. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Net worth: $5 million. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had a close friendship, so much so that Raveling served as the best man at Sonny's second wedding. '" Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). Knight took exception to. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant. S. , and Vaccaro decides to. CHANG: When Jordan's agent, a hilariously foul-mouthed Chris Messina, refuses to so much as grant Nike. Davis stars as Jordan’s mom, Deloris Jordan, while Damon portrays the character of Sonny Vaccaro – the marketing exec at Nike who managed to get Jordan to sign with the brand. George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Sonny met Michael almost immediately after the 1984 Summer Olympics and was introduced by George Raveling (who is played by Marlon Wayans in Air), who coached the U. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling was one of them. Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. Marlon Wayans plays college basketball coach George Raveling, who signed him to the brand. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. SONNY VACCARO. Jordan weighed in, as did Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Nike executive George Raveling, former Nike basketball adviser Sonny Vaccaro and former Nike executive Peter Moore. Raveling eventually became Vaccaro's competitor when he. George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. Director Ben Affleck 's '80s-set film Air recounts the genesis of the Air Jordan sports apparel line with Matt Damon playing Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis portraying. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro; Ben Affleck as Phil Knight; Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser; Marlon Wayans as George Raveling; Chris Messina as David Falk; Chris Tucker as Howard White; Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan; Matthew Maher as Peter Moore; Julius Tennon as James R. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit,” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling (played in the film by Marlon Wayans) that sold him on Nike. Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro while the role of Phil Knight is essayed by Affleck. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. It was a hard task, considering that Nike was the least favourite contender at that time. Both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will star as Phil Knight and Sonny Vaccaro, respectively. Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the maverick Nike salesman who signed rising basketball player Michael Jordan to a shoe contract in the mid-’80s that launched the global, multibillion-dollar. Tensions run high between Fennel,. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) meets with salesman Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) and expresses his growing disappointment with the company's performance and lack of vision around the basketball. Air, which will be released in theaters on April 5, tells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who, in the 1980s, was in charge of Nike’s fledgling basketball division. The all-star cast includes Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. Naturally, Jordan has expressed his gratitude towards Vaccaro but credits former coach George Raveling for first encouraging the now-60-year-old to sign a deal with Nike. Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a shoe salesman at Nike, works to sign rookie Michael Jordan to a deal to wear their shoes. George Raveling is the first person to talk to Michael about Nike. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. At the center of the story is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon, who put on "a few extra pounds" and wore a body suit for the big-gutted part), the Nike talent scout who bets his career on his desperate. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. He was doing a favor for George Raveling, the assistant coach on the Olympic team and my best man at my wedding, meeting me. playing basketball coach George Raveling, laments in the trailer. The day after the US team won the Los Angeles Olympics, he offered Jordan $2. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. 22:03. Director: Ben Affleck. Until, that is, Nike’s Sonny Vaccaro convinced his CEO Phil Knight to go all-out and blow their annual budget on recruiting one player: Michael Jordan. ’. Matt Damon takes on the role of Sonny Vaccaro, who led Nike’s pursuit in signing Michael Jordan during his rookie years. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. Raveling was a dear friend of. Few figures in sportswear are as impactful as the great Sonny Vaccaro. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, Julius Tennon and Matthew Maher also star. The first was George Raveling, an. The Nike executives, salesmen, and. In the mid-80s, Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) was a Nike honcho who sought to sign the rookie basketball star of the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, to promote his company’s revolutionary new Air Jordan sneaker, giving him his brand identity, as he’s on his ways in the ensuing years to arguably becoming the goat in pro basketball. Sonny’s travels take him to meetings with the influential coach and mentor George Raveling (Marlon Wayans)—and to the Jordan home, where he has a backyard bench summit with Michael’s mother. S. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Bravo Teases Behind The Scenes Look At Tom Sandoval And Raquel Leviss Cheating EpisodeBravo Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Look at Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss Cheating Scandal Episode. Image via Amazon Studios Where did Nike, a brand that was barely. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was the best man at Vaccaro’s second wedding. Even what it means, “Adidas”, “All day I dream about sex. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. The Good Will Hunting actors portray Nike cofounder Phil Knight (Damon) and Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro (Affleck). Sonny Vaccaro with Michael Jordan – Sonny embarked on a quest to sign the guard for the Chicago Bulls. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Air, both directed and starring Affleck, the film follows the real-life story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), the sneaker salesman who signed Michael Jordan to his first-ever endorsement deal. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris. m. With Nike convinced, Vaccaro and then-friend George Raveling got a sitdown lunch with Michael Jordan at Tony Roma’s in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympic training camp. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. With Nike convinced, Vaccaro and then-friend George Raveling got a sitdown lunch with Michael Jordan at Tony Roma’s in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympic training camp. Wayans has been cast as college basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic conferences—the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10. Dream teams don't come much dreamier than the cast of Air. S. E. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. He asked his old. ”And while that might have been the case in 1984. The film centers on Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a bold sports marketing executive looking for a star for Nike’s basketball division. Ben Affleck 's latest film, Air, is a true story based on Nike salesman Sonny Vaccaro 's successful signing of then-rising superstar Michael Jordan. Raveling and Vaccaro already had a long-standing rivalry with one another, so these comments didn't sit well with Vaccaro. Damon plays maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight with Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a basketball guru and a major promoter in the high-school and college game, is employed by Nike to provide contacts in the basketball world. "Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Prime Video’s ‘Air’ charts the origins of the Air Jordan brand, focusing on the story behind its inception and the efforts it took for Nike to get Micheal Jordan on their side. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. "I traveled to. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon. Jordan wanted his mom, Deloris Jordan (Viola Davis), to be a focal point in the story, and asked for the inclusion of key people like Howard White (Chris Tucker) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Vaccaro's personal friends include powerhouse college coaches such as Southern California's George Raveling, who was the best man at his wedding, and Georgetown. Set at the Nike headquarters in Oregon in 1984, the film follows Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who is tasked by C. Sonny meets his good friend, George Raveling, who had crucially been the coach of the US basketball team at the. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Net worth: $5 million. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan / Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, with Raveling serving as best man at Sonny’s second wedding. AIR parents guide (2023) I was able to screen AIR in order to write this AIR Parents Guide. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Raveling, if you didn’t know, used to be a college coach (he coached Harold Miner at USC) and is basically the archenemy of Sonny Vaccaro, his ex-best friend who split from Nike back in the day. The center of “Air” is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a Nike exec with a basketball scout’s eye for rising talent. Each. Other cast members include Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf. The film focuses on Vaccaro and Knight, as well as Jordan's parents James and Delores. Nike colleges. Writer: Alex Convery. Wayans has been cast as college basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic conferences—the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10. Ben Affleck directed AIR and stars as Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight, alongside Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, the basketball expert who saw the potential of signing a talent like Jordan, and Viola Davis as Michael Jordan's mother Deloris. Image via Amazon Studios. . " "I stayed at [Jordan's] home," Vaccaro said. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling was offered $3 million for his Martin Luther King Jr speech. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. As other companies also try to court Jordan, Nike must enlist the help of his former coach George Raveling (played by Wayans). With Nike convinced, Vaccaro and then-friend George Raveling got a sitdown lunch with Michael Jordan at Tony Roma’s in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympic training camp. AIR stars Matt Damon as the outspoken Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, Michael’s mother, who was a fierce advocate for. George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr.