He used to always try to talk to me, '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. 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. Vicki Gunvalson from 'RHOC' said there are no good single men anymore but Peter Madrigal from 'Vanderpump Rules' wants to show her there are. With only $250,000 to spend on a few players, schlubby basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) is the one tapped to find the court stars who can take Nike to the promised land, though most of 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. 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. 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. 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. The former NBA Champion claimed that a Nike Executive named George Raveling was responsible for his change of heart. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Elsewhere, the cast features Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. And field rep Howard White (Chris Tucker, back after a seven-year absence from the screen) is the lone believer in Vaccaro. In the movie, Michael's difficult agent, David Falk (portrayed. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Damon portrays sneaker salesman. 1/200. Raveling replaced Sonny in the same job at Nike. On the morning of September 25, 1994, Raveling's Jeep was blindsided in a. Sonny's story is. S. 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. 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. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling. Tensions run high between Fennel,. 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 as Sonny Vaccaro . The legend says Sonny Vaccaro convinced Jordan to come to Nike. Watch on. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. 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. ) to hear their proposal. Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. Instead, he briefly met Jordan with the help of his old friend George Raveling, pitching Jordan the idea of a shoe designed solely around him. 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. ” It was a very different. Sonny was hired by Phil Knight (portrayed by Affleck) to revamp his basketball shoe division, which has only gotten smaller since Vaccaro’s arrival. 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. Former basketball coach George Raveling (left) is. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Vaccaro also had a big hand in helping UCLA's Ed O'Bannon bring down the NCAA's stronghold on. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on a quest to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon. Raveling and Vaccaro already had a long-standing rivalry with one another, so these comments didn't sit well with Vaccaro. 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. 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. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Sonny Vaccaro, the former basketball advisor of Nike once claimed that he was the key piece in the multi-million dollar signing. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. 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. The same goes for Hampton High coach. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling . Raveling's prediction: International players will comprise 50% of the NBA by 2010. Nike colleges. Vaccaro and Jordan. 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. 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 biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Moving on, we have Marlon Wayans, a famous comedic actor who is taking on the role of George Raveling in Air. Jordan never appears on screen in the film. Getting Fired from Nike. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. George Raveling was the best man at Sonny Vaccaro’s wedding and so it’s obvious that the two had a great relationship with one another. and George Raveling. 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 skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. 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. 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. 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. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. Klutho /Sports Illustrated/Getty Matt Damon in 'Air' and Sonny Vaccaro. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Harper for EW . Wayans plays George Raveling, a "college basketball trailblazer" and the first Black coach in two major conferences. 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. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro,. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, with Raveling serving as best man at Sonny’s second wedding. Vaccaro was a key figure in. Image via Amazon Studios Where did Nike, a brand that was barely. Vaccaro and Jordan. The film centers on Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a bold sports marketing executive looking for a star for Nike’s basketball division. 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. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. Advert 10 George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan said. The dynamics. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. 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. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a. Michael Jordan was not interested in signing the deal with Nike at first, but Vaccaro convinced Deloris Jordan in the early 1980s and used that connection to sign Jordan to his first. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. The first addition was George Raveling, who was the assistant coach on the 1984 Olympics team Jordan played on. Sonny Vaccaro, the adidas representative who runs this camp and once ran Nike's, has criticism of the system from which he profits. (IMDb) Change Photo Log Report Last Update: 4 months ago“There’s nothing cool about Nike,” Marlon Wayans says as George Raveling in the trailer for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon‘s new movie “Air. 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. Prior to this encounter, MJ had no knowledge of Nike. Chris Tucker as Howard White. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. 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. 62°. . Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. Ben Affleck’s Air is ostensibly a biopic about the elevation of Nike’s brand from fledgling shoe company to a behemoth of the sports world. But the man himself credits George Raveling for the decision that changed his life. Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro, left, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in a scene from “Air. Sonny Vaccaro was a central figure in the O’Bannon v. 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. Air will be led by Affleck and Damon as they portray the respective roles of Nike co-founder Phil Knight and sports marketing executive John Paul Vincent “Sonny” Vaccaro. By remaining on this website, you indicate your consent. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. Raveling had a close personal relationship with Vaccaro at that time. Writer: Alex Convery. basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. The biopic comes from Amazon Studios, Mandalay Pictures, and Skydance Sports. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro believes. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. , Saturday, October 14, 2023. George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. Jordan Sr. Dream teams don't come much dreamier than the cast of Air. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. He is the co-author of Under the Tarnished Dome: How Notre Dame Betrayed Its Ideals for Football Glory, Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL, and George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson and. "I traveled to. Many NBA fans were under the opinion that a former American sports marketing executive named John Paul Vincent “Sonny” Vaccaro was the man behind Jordan’s decision to sign with Nike. AIR | Official Trailer. 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. Air is set in 1984, when Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) persuaded Jordan to be the face of Nike's basketball shoes. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Knight took exception to. Michael doesn’t credit Vaccaro for his deal with Nike, as he claimed Sonny did not. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro,. Of course, in the sneaker business, they’re. George Raveling: There’s nothing cool about Nike. 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. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan / Courtesy of Amazon Studios. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. 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. 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 ensemble star cast of the movie features Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, Affleck as Phil Knight, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. 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. Chris Tucker as Howard W. " He added, "Michael’s lying more than Phil [Knight] and Raveling. 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. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant. '. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Wayans joins the cast as George Raveling, the trailblazing college basketball coach (the first Black coach in both the ACC and the PAC 10), who met and befriended Jordan while serving as an. ". Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. 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. 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. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Getting Fired from Nike. Vaccaro was a significant figure in the. George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan's comments: "Michael is delusional. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Instead. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to Michael Jordan and his family. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling seriously and straightforwardly. Revelling/Reckoning: Directed by Zach Neumeyer. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Air will be led by Affleck and Damon as they portray the respective roles of Nike co-founder Phil Knight and sports marketing executive John Paul Vincent “Sonny” Vaccaro. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Joining the Good Will Hunting stars are Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White. 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. George Raveling was offered $3 million for his Martin Luther King Jr speech. However, the founder of Nike, Phil Knight spoke against Vaccar. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Affleck stars as Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight. E. 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. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. What we know about the Air cast and crew. The story depicts a high-stakes gamble by an unconventional team, a determined mother and the legendary basketball player who became the. George Raveling: [to Sonny] You bypass the agents and talk directly to the family, you’re going to. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife, Pam, currently reside in Calabasas, California. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. The story will center. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. S. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Air, the new film directed by Ben Affleck, chronicles the origin story of the Air Jordan shoe line, which became a cultural icon and put the once-fledgling Nike company on the map. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. In response to this, Marketing VP Rob Strasser, along with co-founder. Then actually my parents made me go out to (Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. He famously takes credit for bringing Michael. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. 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. S. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. As is shown in the film, Vaccaro insisted that rather than spreading their $2 million budget around a host of different basketball players, they should give it all to Jordan in order to secure the. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive who had the genius idea to sign Michael to his first-ever sneaker deal. Matt Damon is the star of the movie, as he plays Sonny Vaccaro,. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing with Nike. By Shikhar Verma May 17, 2023. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. The story will center. 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. Directed by Ben Affleck, this '80s-set movie based on real events stars Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike. 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. 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. He fell out with Sony over a high school summer basketball camp business operated by Sonny. who plays coach George Raveling. We start from T-Mac, and from that. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking $2. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. O. 'Air' was a hit, but casting Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro was a miss. Even what it means, “Adidas”, “All day I dream about sex. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. The film will be released in theaters April 5, 2023. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. The trailer for Air was released on February 9. 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. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker. And the icon selected Viola Davis to play his mother Deloris, who was pivotal in the negotiation. . ” “Puma”, “Please use my a**. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. It was the summer of 1984 and Vaccaro was waiting at a Tony Roma's restaurant in Santa Monica, California, for his then best friend George Raveling, the head coach of the University of Iowa and an assistant on the U. The cast also includes Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, the first Black basketball coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10,. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris. 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. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. The center of “Air” is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a Nike exec with a basketball scout’s eye for rising talent. George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . Phil Knight is sinful. Crafts/DIY. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling Chris Tucker as Howard White Jason. AIR parents guide (2023) I was able to screen AIR in order to write this AIR Parents Guide. ”And while that might have been the case in 1984. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). ”. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling is the first person to talk to Michael about Nike. George Raveling are gone. Talent scout Sonny Vaccaro came up with the bold idea of building a sneaker line around a recent NBA draft pick by the name of Michael Jordan. 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. All opinions are my own. 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. The initial. S. Sonny Vaccaro: When the Rams played in the Super Bowl two years ago,. Car crash and coaching retirement, 1994. The decision of Sonnu was not appreciated and taken well by Phil Knight and later he went on to fire his 'beloved' executive. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on the search to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon . Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. J. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. In 1984, Oregon-based Nike, Inc. George Raveling, the former USC coach and current. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Damon takes on the role of Sonny Vaccaro, the sneaker salesman who believed Michael Jordan was going to be the big basketball star that he became. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in 'Air. Aunque ni este ni su familia. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. In an attempt to find support among the people close to Jordan, Vaccarro gets in touch with George Raveling, who coached Jordan. 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. His focus was on others who were influential to his career, including Howard White, a then-Nike executive who is now vice president of Jordan Brand, and George Raveling, a longtime Nike ambassador. 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, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. , USA Bio: Team USA Assistant Coach when Jordan Won Gold at 1984 Olympics. Raveling had a falling out with. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. 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). 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). Olympic team that won gold in LA. 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. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. --Vaccaro’s personal friends include college coaches such as USC’s George Raveling, who was the best man at his wedding, and Georgetown’s Thompson, who. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. SONNY VACCARO. As the film's version of Nike. In the film, Vaccaro first met with Jordan through his friend George Raveling, who was the assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. The day after the US team won the Los Angeles Olympics, he offered Jordan $2. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Now Raveling works for Nike and he and Sonny are former friends. 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. Raveling’s shorthand with Sonny speaks of a past history and trust communicated with small gestures and easy laughs. 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. The main cast also includes Matthew Maher. Few figures in sportswear are as impactful as the great Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling, Director for International Basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. P. 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. You get to see Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil. Olympic men's basketball team, to bring Michael Jordan to lunch. ’. At the time, Nike had. Olympic basketball team (via Pop Sugar). Image via Amazon Studios. Vaccaro was a key. Wayans plays George Raveling,. Jordan prior to meeting her in ‘Air,’ for the sake of elevating the charm. DAMON: (As Sonny Vaccaro) The most competitive guy I have ever seen. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. 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. 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. Is the 2023 movie Air good or bad?War is hell: Former USC coach George Raveling stood up at Vaccaro’s wedding. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who helped. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. 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,” he said. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. With Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. 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. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. Mais ce n'est. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. 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. Marlon Wayans plays college basketball coach George Raveling, who signed him to the brand. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. As the film's version of Nike. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who helped. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. S. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. 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. What's amazing is that Raveling stands aside Sonny Vaccaro as the people most in charge of destroying the fabric of American basketball. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing. Undoubtedly, this agreement marked a historic milestone in the sports industry, propelling Nike Inc. Enter Sonny Vaccaro, a tenacious Nike employee tasked with discovering a fresh face for the brand. George Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. 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. — When it comes to the July recruiting period, the Wild West days of Sonny Vaccaro vs. Basketball coach George Raveling was the best man at the Vaccaro wedding before the two had a falling out in the years. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Phil Knight is sinful. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. . 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. , and Vaccaro decides to. . Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. ". How to watch 'Air' movie. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. For the briefest of moments, Sonny Vaccaro appeared in Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance,” the 10-part, Michael Jordan-focused documentary running on ESPN. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7 Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Marlon Wayans (The Curse of Bridge Hollow) as George Raveling, Jordan’s assistant coach on the 1984. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. February 9, 2023. 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. Sonny and former coach George Raveling. 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. 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.