The film focuses on Vaccaro and Knight, as well as Jordan's parents James and Delores. The story will center. So he flies to Los Angeles and seeks advice from his good friend George Raveling, the famed Olympic basketball coach, played here by Marlon Wayans. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to Michael Jordan and his family. Raveling replaced Sonny in the same job at Nike. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. I t was a cutthroat, lucrative, and often corrupt culture that Sonny Vaccaro and his sneaker company competitors created during the ’90s and early ’00s, when Adidas, Nike, Reebok, and others zealously sought to find “the next Michael Jordan. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Sonny even has a five-minute monologue where he predicts the whole of Jordan's future in the meeting. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. The movie AIR is a story about Sonny Vaccaro (played by Matt Damon) and the journey he takes the Nike team on to sign Michael Jordan with them. Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman), to save Nike. 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. 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. Memorable parts by Chris Tucker as Howard White, who traded his basketball uniform for a corporate suit, and Marlon Wayans as 1984 Olympics coach George Raveling notwithstanding, “Air” often. Sonny Vaccaro is played by Matt Damon. George Raveling was one of them. The first addition was George Raveling, who was the assistant coach on the 1984 Olympics team Jordan played on. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. 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. Sonny's story is. Set at the Nike headquarters in Oregon in 1984, the film follows Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who is tasked by C. 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. Affleck and Damon, who co-wrote the screenplay (Ben directs), respectively co-star as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and former Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro, a sneaker salesman who set his sights on. George Raveling was an assistant coach for the Team USA basketball squad at the 1984 Olympics. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. '. 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. Phil Knight (Affleck) and Marketing V. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. “We talk often, sometimes daily for long stretches,” he said. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. , and Vaccaro decides to. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon. The company had a modest goal of earning $3 million from the sneakers over a three-year period. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife, Pam, currently reside in Calabasas, California. and George Raveling. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Knight took exception to. . Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Chris Tucker as Howard White. Few figures in sportswear are as impactful as the great Sonny Vaccaro. 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?. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. As the film's version of Nike. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. S. 00:00. Con todo, Sonny Vaccaro perseveró y, a través de George Raveling, el asistente del entrenador de la selección nacional Bobby Night, logró contactar al deportista. “There’s nothing cool about Nike,” Marlon Wayans ’s character George Raveling says in the first trailer for. Advert 10 George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Ben Affleck, who directs the film, stars as Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. The cast also includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris Tucker as Howard White. His colleagues Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), one of Jordan’s coaches at the 1984 Olympics, all try to dissuade him. 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. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on the search to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon . Olympic men's basketball team, to bring Michael Jordan to lunch. 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. 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. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7 Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. The biopic will focus on sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. The movie stars Damon as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Affleck as Nike cofounder Phil Knight, two sportswear icons who have differing views on how the Jordan deal materialized. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. 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. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro, left, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in a scene from “Air. J. . George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Played by Matt Damon. AVALON, N. Apr 06, 2023 In 'Air,' Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro seeks to sign Michael Jordan to a historic sneaker deal. Ana Carballosa/Prime Video; David E. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. ” Sonny Vaccaro: That’s not what it means. Olympic basketball team (via Pop Sugar). Chris Messina as David Falk. "I traveled to. 22:03. 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. But, Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. 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. Peter Moore, Played By. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. Raveling had a close personal relationship with Vaccaro at that time. The plot. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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 and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. Most notably Wayans was an assistant coach to Bobby Knight for the United States Olympic team in 1984 which Michael Jordan was a part of and went. 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. 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. Director Ben Affleck and castmates Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans talk new film "Air. 'Air' was a hit, but casting Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro was a miss. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. The Nike executives, salesmen, and. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Knight took exception to. 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. 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. 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. 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. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro,. Affleck's longtime friend and longtime collaborator plays. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. 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. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. But George Raveling knew all of Vaccaro’s tricks, and according to former Nike and Adidas executive David Bond, the former best friends “were doing whatever they could to get the key players. On the morning of September 25, 1994, Raveling's Jeep was blindsided in a. Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro while the role of Phil Knight is essayed by Affleck. In the film, Vaccaro first met with Jordan through his friend George Raveling, who was the assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, who tries to win over Jordan’s mother, Deloris (Viola Davis), amid the negotiation process. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. Papa plays Stu Inman, the former Portland Trail Blazers executive who famously selected Sam Bowie over. Jordan Sr. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Sonny Vaccaro: When the Rams played in the Super Bowl two years ago,. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. 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. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. 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). George Raveling Another stern request Jordan had before giving Affleck his blessing to make the film was for the inclusion of one of his coaches at the 1984 Olympics, George Raveling. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at 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. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. Affleck serves as director and co-producer alongside Damon, David. 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. Raveling took up a rival position at. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. 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. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike. Viola Davis plays Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan's mother. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who. ''But that's not Sonny. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris. ”. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. But thanks to advice from Howard White and George Raveling, Vaccaro knows that his way to connect with Michael is through his mother, Deloris. 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. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling. This reflects when Marlon Wayans’ George Raveling tells how Martin Luther King’s famous speech was spontaneous. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. The story will center. 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. Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling seriously and straightforwardly. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. Sonny Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, so Raveling was Sonny’s second wedding best man. 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. 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. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro while Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Raveling’s shorthand with Sonny speaks of a past history and trust communicated with small gestures and easy laughs. 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. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on a quest to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser. 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. Raveling took up a rival. 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. 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. Raveling had a falling out with. Matt Damon (Sonny Vaccaro), Ben Affleck (Phil Knight), Jason Bateman (Rob Strasser), Marlon Wayans (George Raveling), Chris Messina (David Falk), Chris Tucker (Howard White) Discover the game-changing partnership between a then undiscovered Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports. -George Raveling; Your voice tells you to do some stupid sh!t. Vaccaro was a key figure in. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. “But I think it’s. 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. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. 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. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what he had to do. The 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. Sonny Vaccaro with Michael Jordan – Sonny embarked on a quest to sign the guard for the Chicago Bulls. 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. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix split following nine years. George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . Writer: Alex Convery. 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. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. 'Air' was a hit, but casting Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro was a miss. Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the. Mais ce n'est. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans); and Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis) — essentially. How to watch 'Air' movie. Long gone. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. 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. Alex G. George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. Raveling eventually became Vaccaro's competitor when he. Smart guy. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. All opinions are my own. The day after the US team won the Los Angeles Olympics, he offered Jordan $2. You get to see Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil. 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. , USA Bio: Team USA Assistant Coach when Jordan Won Gold at 1984 Olympics. 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. Advert 10George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, three additional Nike executives who have gotten some credit for the. Chris Messina as David Falk, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Director (and Boston’s own) Ben Affleck’s latest tells the tale of. Vaccaro and George Raveling, former best friends who now are bitter enemies, simply personify the battle between two corporations searching for product loyalty and increased sales. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. 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. It didn’t go well. 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. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. 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. DAMON: (As Sonny Vaccaro) The most competitive guy I have ever seen. In reality, Vaccaro met with Michael Jordan at Tony Roma's with George Raveling (portrayed in "Air" by Marlon Wayans) before Vaccaro and Deloris Jordan began speaking over the phone. George Raveling: Jessica Green: Katrina Sainz: Julius Tennon: James Jordan: Who is in 'AIR' in 2023?. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Former basketball coach George Raveling (left) is. RELATED: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Star in Biopic About Nike's Sonny Vaccaro. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. Watch on. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Vicki Gunvalson from 'RHOC' said there are no good single men anymore but Peter Madrigal from 'Vanderpump Rules' wants to show her there are. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Three: Sonny Vaccaro, an executive for Nike,. Raveling and Vaccaro were also close friends, and the basketball coach was instrumental in making the Nike deal with the Jordan family a reality by putting in a. 故事主要講述耐克公司的鞋子推銷員 桑尼·瓦卡洛 （ 英语 ： Sonny Vaccaro ） （戴蒙飾演）努力讓知名球星麥可·喬登穿上自家生產的鞋子，達成代言合約。 本片2023年3月18日先在西南偏南首映，2023年4月5日亞馬遜影業安排在美國上映，華納兄弟負責國際市場發行. Vaccaro’s storied relationship with Nike ended on a. Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Mais il n'y a pas que Sonny qui a fait changer d'avis MJ, il y a aussi George Raveling. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. He is a f***ing killer. 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. 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. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. Is the 2023 movie Air good or bad?War is hell: Former USC coach George Raveling stood up at Vaccaro’s wedding. S. "Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. 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. ” With Vaccaro at Adidas and his former best friend George Raveling running grassroots basketball at. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, one of Jordan’s coaches at the 1984 Olympics; and Viola Davis as Michael’s mother, Deloris Jordan. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Air is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery. The phone call with Jordan’s terribly unpleasant yet curiously impressive sports agent, David Falk, only gave Vaccaro the unusual and risky idea to go behind his back and speak to Deloris directly. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. "Air," the new movie directed by Affleck and written by Alex Convery, tells the story of Nike’s pursuit to sign Michael Jordan and. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. "I traveled to. ’. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, Julius Tennon and Matthew Maher also star. "Stockton's. 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. You’ve got to try. However, their relationship soured due to a dispute over the summer high school basketball camps organized by Vaccaro. 62°. Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Matthew Maher, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis. The sports drama will see Affleck in the role of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, while Damon will play Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. One could make an argument that the system which has developed through greedy businessmen building on Vaccaro's. KGW speaks with Sonny Vaccaro, portrayed by Matt Damon in upcoming film 'Air'. As the real George also notes on his Linkedin page, he was instrumental in the Nike. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. Matt Damon takes on the role of Sonny Vaccaro, who led Nike’s pursuit in signing Michael Jordan during his rookie years. 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. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. Vaccaro’s impact on sports marketing and basketball is significant. Chris Tucker as Howard White uses his comedic persona to great advantage. 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. S. Olympic team that won gold in LA. To say that AAU hasn’t served our game in a real way is to turn a blind eye to the impact of guys like Sonny Vaccaro, George Raveling from Nike and Howard Garfinkel from Five-Star Basketball. 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. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris. 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. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. 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. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. Don Yaeger was an Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated magazine. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling . Sonny Vaccaro was planning to pursue other business plans that did not involve Nike. Did Sonny Vaccaro really bypass Michael Jordan's agent and go directly to his parents to make his pitch? Not exactly. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Marlon Wayans plays college basketball coach George Raveling, who signed him to the brand. Sonny Vaccaro calls out MJ,. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. By Shikhar Verma May 17, 2023. The former NBA Champion claimed that a Nike Executive named George Raveling was responsible for his change of heart. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. ”. In 1984, Oregon-based Nike, Inc. 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. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. Net worth: $5 million. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. George Raveling. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro while Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. Image via Amazon Studios Where did Nike, a brand that was barely. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking. The roles of Jordan. With that mantra as his guiding force, Affleck orchestrated a feel-good story that traces former Nike marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro’s steps in 1984 as he vied to lift the company’s. You’re. You've got to try. basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic. By remaining on this website, you indicate your consent. Air is set in 1984, when Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) persuaded Jordan to be the face of Nike's basketball shoes. m. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Four Not-So-Fab ‘I Quit’ Stories: How George, Ringo, John and Paul Each Left the Beatles Watch Peter Jackson’s Music Video for the Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Basketball coach George Raveling was the best man at the Vaccaro wedding before the two had a falling out in the years. George Raveling. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Ben Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon plays shoe salesman-turned Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. Wayans plays George Raveling, a "college basketball trailblazer" and the first Black coach in two major conferences. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. Marlon Wayans (The Curse of Bridge Hollow) as George Raveling, Jordan’s assistant coach on the 1984. 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,. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro believes. 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. E. Marlon Wayans will play George Raveling, a trailblazer in college basketball who was the first Black coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10. Matt Damon is Sonny Vaccaro. S. “One thing Sonny Vaccaro was very clear with me about was that the feelings of camaraderie, friendship and loyalty are his takeaways from that time. With Sarah Claspell, Shannon Coffey, Nicole Drespel, Melissa Gomez. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. Now Ben has told the story that he met with Michael Jordan in order to receive his blessing, and that led to parts for Howard White (Chris Tucker), George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) and a mandate. 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. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive who had the genius idea to sign Michael to his first-ever sneaker deal. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling;. Sonny Vaccaro. The trailer for Air was released on February 9. The untitled movie will tell “the incredible story of how maverick sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. Crafts/DIY. February 9, 2023. ". As Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro attempts to sign then-rookie basketball player Michael Jordan to a multimillion dollar deal, Air’s music takes viewers on that journey with him and his team. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. Sonny Vaccaro is introduced in the film with scenes of him going to Las Vegas after college basketball tournaments in order to gamble and place bets on NBA games, establishing him as a man who likes to take risks.