". “He’s the one, in all honestly, that really persuaded me to look at Nike. '. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George 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. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. ’” George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris. 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. 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. The story will center. 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. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon 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. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. 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. Tensions run high between Fennel,. Getting Fired from Nike. Marlon Wayans even leaves a strong if brief impression as Jordan’s former Olympics coach George Raveling. 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. Sonny Vaccaro's Side of the Story. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what he had to do. 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. Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Wetzel knew Sonny wasn’t exactly thrilled with the book, but it didn’t affect their relationship and the mutual respect. Create or log into. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. Knight took exception to. 22:03. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Gustaf Skarsgård as. 7. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, one of Jordan’s coaches at the 1984 Olympics; and Viola Davis as Michael’s mother, Deloris Jordan. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. KGW Top Stories: 11 p. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling; Chris Messina. Elsewhere, the cast features Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. S. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. Jordan. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. Air follows Nike shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro as he prompts a rookie Michael Jordan's game-changing partnership with Nike's basketball division which created the iconic Air Jordan brand. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. Julius Tennon as James Jordan. 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. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). Phil Knight is sinful. All opinions are my own. You’ve got to try. "Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. 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. He met with George Raveling (played by Marlon Wayans), a former NBA player and college. Getting Fired from Nike. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. 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. And field rep Howard White (Chris Tucker, back after a seven-year absence from the screen) is the lone believer in Vaccaro. 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 is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. 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. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. Alex G. 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) likes to take the credit. February 9, 2023. 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. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby 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. Sonny Vaccaro now in his. The plot. Well, all of. Each. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. George Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife, Pam, currently reside in Calabasas, California. Sonny Vaccaro was fired from Nike for allegedly planning on pursuing other business ventures outside of the Nike franchise, whilst. George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. 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. Sonny Vaccaro was planning to pursue other business plans that did not involve Nike. 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 used to always try. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. Marlon Wayans as iconic coach George Raveling, and. Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro while the role of Phil Knight is essayed by Affleck. Olympic team that won gold in LA. Affleck stars as the billionaire and former Nike CEO Phil Knight, while Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike marketing executive in charge of expanding Nike’s presence in basketball. He is not, at least on the surface, a slam dunk movie hero. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. The new posters see Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro while Affleck is seen as Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Nike co-founder Phil Knight is portrayed by Affleck, who is also directing the film. Nike colleges. 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. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. In the movie, Michael's difficult agent, David Falk (portrayed. And his achievements and awards reflect his legacy and contributions to the industry. 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. Olympic team that won gold in LA. You’re. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike. 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. 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. Vaccaro was a significant figure in the. 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. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, three additional Nike. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) goes on to say “There’s nothing cool about Nike. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling, the former USC coach and current. 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. S. Peter Moore, Played By. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. George Raveling was offered $3 million for his Martin Luther King Jr speech. 'Air' was a hit, but casting Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro was a miss. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. Together, the Jordans and Nike changed the shoe industry forever. 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. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. We start from T-Mac, and from that. The script centers primarily on the sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro, who ran Nike — at the time, a middling shoe company — along with co-founder Phil Knight, and led a historic endorsement deal. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. 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. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Moving on, we have Marlon Wayans, a famous comedic actor who is taking on the role of George Raveling in Air. Image via Amazon Studios. Starring the dynamic duo of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the movie weaves a captivating narrative around Vaccaro’s audacious endeavor. It was a hard task, considering that Nike was the least favourite contender at that time. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. George Raveling, Director for International Basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. In hindsight, it's a eureka moment. 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. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling Chris Tucker as Howard White Jason. SONNY VACCARO. S. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Advert 10 George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. ''But that's not. 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. Air: Directed by Ben Affleck. 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. 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 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. It didn’t go well. George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr. S. The biopic comes from Amazon Studios, Mandalay Pictures, and Skydance Sports. . Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. 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. Then actually my parents made me go out to (Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. 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. As the film's version of Nike. 00:00. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” Jordan told USA Today. O. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. George Raveling was offered $3 million for his Martin Luther King Jr speech. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. George Raveling: [to Sonny] You bypass the agents and talk directly to the family, you’re going 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. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Sonny Vaccaro with Michael Jordan – Sonny embarked on a quest to sign the guard for the Chicago Bulls. “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. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro . 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 meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. S. 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). George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. "Stockton's. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling . But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. A friend of Vaccaro’s, Raveling first introduced the idea of signing Nike and Jordan. Sonny Vaccaro. Coach George Raveling. 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. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Net worth: $5 million. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. 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. J. By Shikhar Verma May 17, 2023. 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. Olympic team that won gold in LA. Affleck's longtime friend and longtime collaborator plays. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Vaccaro and Jordan. 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) likes to take the credit. Net worth: $5 million. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker. You’ve got to try. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling;. The package is worth approximately $100,000, according to Nike’s George Raveling. You’ve got to try. Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro believes. Affleck serves as director and co-producer alongside Damon, David. Vaccaro was a key. 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. Falk, Raveling, and White are all people involved with either Jordan or Nike, while Viola. Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. The main cast also includes Matthew Maher. George Raveling. Revelling/Reckoning: Directed by Zach Neumeyer. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. The center of “Air” is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a Nike exec with a basketball scout’s eye for rising talent. KGW speaks with Sonny Vaccaro, portrayed by Matt Damon in upcoming film 'Air'. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. Below are step-by-step instructions for how to sign up for Amazon Prime Video’s free trial. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. In the fall of 1984, a 21-year-old Jordan inked a five-year deal with Nike for $2. AVALON, N. Viola Davis plays Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan's mother. 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. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. He recently appeared on the Brown and. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. Played by Matt Damon. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. We’ve shared the full cast list below: Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. 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. You’ve got to try. 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). Aunque ni este ni su familia. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Apr 06, 2023 In 'Air,' Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro seeks to sign Michael Jordan to a historic sneaker deal. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in 'Air. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. 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. Raveling took up a rival position at. 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. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. 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’. 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 never appears on screen in the film. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. White in 'Air'. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. “Air” shows how former sports executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike created a pitch for young basketball star Michael Jordan to partner. In response to this, Marketing VP Rob Strasser, along with co-founder. Matt Damon (Sonny Vaccaro) First up on the list is the main man himself,. Basketball coach George Raveling was the best man at the Vaccaro wedding before the two had a falling out in the years. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. ” It was a very different. Instead. Set at the Nike headquarters in Oregon in 1984, the film follows Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who is tasked by C. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. ’” Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. George Raveling, Vaccaro journeys to Wilmington, North Carolina, to persuade Michael’s mother, Deloris,. Affleck stars as Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. 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. Vaccaro was friends with George Raveling, head coach of Washington State's men's basketball team, who introduced the pair. George Raveling is crazy. to rapid success in the shoe-making. “But I think it’s. "Spokane, Washington," the employee says. Sonny Vaccaro calls out MJ,. , Saturday, October 14, 2023. Harper for EW . 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. 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. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. He was doing a favor for George Raveling, the assistant coach on the Olympic team and my best man at my wedding, meeting me. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans); and Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis) — essentially. 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. With Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina. Marlon Wayans (The Curse of Bridge Hollow) as George Raveling, Jordan’s assistant coach on the 1984. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Long gone. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling who sold him on Nike. The Good Will Hunting actors portray Nike cofounder Phil Knight (Damon) and Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro (Affleck). 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. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant. AIR. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. Writer: Alex Convery. At the time, Nike had. 5 million. He asked his old friend George Raveling, one of the coaches of the National Olympic team, to contact Micheal Jordan and set up a meeting. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. C. Wayans plays George Raveling, a "college basketball trailblazer" and the first Black coach in two major conferences. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), to put in a good word, Raveling declares that following the “I Have a Dream” speech in. ’ It centers on the efforts of Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro (played by Damon) as he persuades CEO Phil Knight (played by Affleck) to bet big on Jordan. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. George Raveling: Jessica Green: Katrina Sainz: Julius Tennon: James Jordan: Who is in 'AIR' in 2023?. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on the search to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon . Vaccaro also had a big hand in helping UCLA's Ed O'Bannon bring down the NCAA's stronghold on. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. 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. The first addition was George Raveling, who was the assistant coach on the 1984 Olympics team Jordan played on. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. Matt Damon takes on the role of Sonny Vaccaro, who led Nike’s pursuit in signing Michael Jordan during his rookie years. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. George Raveling. Watch on. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. Remember when I mentioned Jordan had three requests for Affleck, the second one was that he create a part for George Raveling, who was Jordan’s Olympic. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing with Nike. 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. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what. Crafts/DIY. 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. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. ” With Vaccaro at Adidas and his former best friend George Raveling running grassroots basketball at. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. The first was George Raveling, an. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Sonny Vaccaro is played by Matt Damon. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. ''But that's not Sonny. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. 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. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. 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. basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic.