George Raveling was one of them. The legend says Sonny Vaccaro convinced Jordan to come to Nike. Sonny Vaccaro with Michael Jordan – Sonny embarked on a quest to sign the guard for the Chicago Bulls. Olympic team that won gold in LA. The story depicts a high-stakes gamble by an unconventional team, a determined mother and the legendary basketball player who became the. (Jason Bateman), David Falk (Chris Messina), Peter Moore (Matthew Maher), George Raveling (Marlon. AVALON, N. There is a scene in the film where Sonny Vaccaro, after having a conversation with George Raveling (the assistant coach of the U. Jordan prior to meeting her in ‘Air,’ for the sake of elevating the charm. Olympic Men’s Basketball team), decides that he needs to go to. Vaccaro also had a big hand in helping UCLA's Ed O'Bannon bring down the NCAA's stronghold on. One could make an argument that the system which has developed through greedy businessmen building on Vaccaro's. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” Jordan told USA Today. Phil Knight is sinful. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Air, a sports biopic drama, is the newest collaborative effort between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who both star in the film. Vaccaro was a significant figure in the. Meg Ryan talks new rom-com, travel and 'Sleepless in Seattle'. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). In “Air” Sonny was conflicted about how to get Michael Jordan over the line so he flew to Los Angeles, seeking advice from this friend George Raveling, famed American Olympic basketball coach. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. Coach George Raveling. Knight took exception to. 62°. 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. Director Ben Affleck and castmates Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans talk new film "Air. Affleck directs Damon for the first time as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, while he also steps in front of the camera to play Nike co-founder Phil Knight, with Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. “There’s nothing cool about Nike,” Marlon Wayans ’s character George Raveling says in the first trailer for. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at Nike. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. 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. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. 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. Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, Julius Tennon and Matthew Maher also star. However, the founder of Nike, Phil Knight spoke against Vaccar. m. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. "Stockton's. 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. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. . Is the 2023 movie Air good or bad?War is hell: Former USC coach George Raveling stood up at Vaccaro’s wedding. And the icon selected Viola Davis to play his mother Deloris, who was pivotal in the negotiation. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who. Chris Tucker as Howard White uses his comedic persona to great advantage. Nike colleges. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. 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. 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. The film centers on Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a bold sports marketing executive looking for a star for Nike’s basketball division. 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. 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. While Sonny Vaccaro is the main character in ‘Air’ as the story revolves around his belief in Michael Jordan more so than anybody, Michael himself has said that another man was just as instrumental, if not more, in bringing him to Nike. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. The decision of Sonnu was not appreciated and taken well by Phil Knight and later he went on to fire his 'beloved' executive. Olympic team that won gold in LA. 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. 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. S. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Played by Matt Damon, Sonny Vaccaro's. ” It was a very different. 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. Vaccaro was a key figure in. Create or log into. Michael Jordan était revenu sur l'importance de son ancien coach de l'équipe olympique de basket dans son choix de signer au sein de la griffe de Portland et il avait ajouté lors d'une interview : "Sonny (Vaccaro) aime s'attribuer les mérites. White in 'Air'. ”. ’” Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker. Enter Sonny Vaccaro, a tenacious Nike employee tasked with discovering a fresh face for the brand. The story will center. Raveling had a falling out with. 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. Matt Damon is starring in "Air" as sneaker salesman turned former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, with Ben Affleck playing Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Vaccaro and Jordan. Elsewhere, the cast features Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. ". 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. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. Undoubtedly, this agreement marked a historic milestone in the sports industry, propelling Nike Inc. Harper for EW . George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. He asked his old. Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. 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. 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. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling. 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. basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic. There’s also a fascinating section detailing Vaccaro’s strained relationship with George Raveling, the best man at his wedding, with whom he had a falling out, Vaccaro says, after he refused. Sonny even has a five-minute monologue where he predicts the whole of Jordan's future in the meeting. In 1984, Oregon-based Nike, Inc. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at Nike. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. 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. Chris Tucker as Howard W. 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. -Sonny. In the fall of 1984, a 21-year-old Jordan inked a five-year deal with Nike for $2. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, three additional Nike. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. February 9, 2023. S. Raveling became a rival to Sonny for the same position at Nike. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro; Ben Affleck as Phil Knight; Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser; Marlon Wayans as George Raveling; Chris Messina as David Falk; Chris Tucker as Howard White; Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan; Matthew Maher as Peter Moore; Julius Tennon as James R. PHOTO: Ana Carballosa/Prime Matthew Maher, Matt Damon, and Jason Bateman as Peter Moore, Sonny Vaccaro, and Rob. The company had a modest goal of earning $3 million from the sneakers over a three-year period. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling who sold him on Nike. Nike colleges. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. Ben Affleck 's latest film, Air, is a true story based on Nike salesman Sonny Vaccaro 's successful signing of then-rising superstar Michael Jordan. Raveling and Sonny Vaccaro had been close friends, to the point that he was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Affleck's longtime friend and longtime collaborator plays. 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?. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. , and Vaccaro decides to. S. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Michael doesn’t credit Vaccaro for his deal with Nike, as he claimed Sonny did not. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling,. ". At the time, Nike had. Julius Tennon as James R. “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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in '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. 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. 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. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. The film will be released in theaters April 5, 2023. We’ve shared the full cast list below: Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling, a basketball coach, was the best man at their wedding. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. Alongside Affleck, Davis and Damon, the film sees Jason Bateman playing Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk and Marlon Wayans as George. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Smart guy. Vaccaro and Jordan. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. Sonny’s travels take him to meetings with the influential coach and mentor George Raveling (Marlon Wayans)—and to the Jordan home, where he has a backyard bench summit with Michael’s mother. All opinions are my own. Matt Damon (Sonny Vaccaro) First up on the list is the main man himself,. Vaccaro’s storied relationship with Nike ended on a. Vaccaro and Jordan. He was doing a favor for George Raveling, the assistant coach on the Olympic team and my best man at my wedding, meeting me. He meets with Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, and that's when the Nike. 7. Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix split following nine years. Don Yaeger was an Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated magazine. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7 Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. Raveling and Sonny had a falling out over the summer high school basketball programs that Sonny ran. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro while Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. The new posters see Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro while Affleck is seen as Nike co-founder Phil Knight. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking. Sonny Vaccaro was planning to pursue other business plans that did not involve Nike. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. George Raveling: [to Sonny] You bypass the agents and talk directly to the family, you’re going to. “Air” shows how former sports executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike created a pitch for young basketball star Michael Jordan to partner. -George Raveling movie quotes from AIR (2023) You got it. What we know about the Air cast and crew. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. Well, all of. 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. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. 5 million over five years with a 25 per cent royalty on every shoe. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. The trailer for Air was released on February 9. playing basketball coach George Raveling, laments in the trailer. George Raveling, the former USC coach and current. Together, the Jordans and Nike changed the shoe industry forever. 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. Knight took exception to. who plays coach George Raveling. Olympic team that won gold in LA. 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. 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. and George Raveling. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. In hindsight, it's a eureka moment. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what he had to do. 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’. You’ve got to try. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. However, their relationship soured due to a dispute over the summer high school basketball camps organized by Vaccaro. ” “Puma”, “Please use my a**. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. 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). Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. 1/200. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Little did he know that this search would lead to the birth of a sneaker empire and redefine the world of athletic endorsements. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Wayans plays George Raveling, a "college basketball trailblazer" and the first Black coach in two major conferences. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. With Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina. 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. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan said. Tue, May 5, 2020 · 9 min read For the briefest of moments, Sonny Vaccaro appeared in Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance,” the 10-part, Michael Jordan. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7The first trailer is here for “Air,” the movie starring Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike executive trying to sign basketball rookie Michael. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Sonny Vaccaro: When the Rams played in the Super Bowl two years ago,. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Basketball coach George Raveling was the best man at the Vaccaro wedding before the two had a falling out in the years. Ben Affleck directed AIR and stars as Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight, alongside Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, the basketball expert who saw the potential of signing a talent like Jordan, and Viola Davis as Michael Jordan's mother Deloris. S. 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. ”. Sonny Vaccaro Personal Life. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. C. “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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. “He used to always try. '. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. Raveling was a dear friend of. 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: “Nike” has no meaning. , and Vaccaro decides to. Wetzel knew Sonny wasn’t exactly thrilled with the book, but it didn’t affect their relationship and the mutual respect. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. The cast also includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris Tucker as Howard White. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. No, this story is about the men behind the deal – Affleck as Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro,. Pioneering coach George Raveling's surprising connection to MLK. 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. P. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. "Near the end of the negotiation, basketball legend Michael Jordan’s mom drops a dealbreaker on Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro when she says we are good “except for one minor provision – Michael gets a percentage of the revenue of each shoe sold. 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. Sonny and former coach George Raveling. Chris Messina as David Falk, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the. Tensions run high between Fennel,. Director (and Boston’s own) Ben Affleck’s latest tells the tale of. Net worth: $5 million. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. In response to this, Marketing VP Rob Strasser, along with co-founder. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive who had the genius idea to sign Michael to his first-ever sneaker deal. Did Sonny Vaccaro really bypass Michael Jordan's agent and go directly to his parents to make his pitch? Not exactly. Sonny Vaccaro was fired from Nike for allegedly planning on pursuing other business ventures outside of the Nike franchise, whilst still working for the iconic company. 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. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. 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. 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. As the film's version of Nike. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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 calls out MJ,. Alex G. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what. Three: Sonny Vaccaro, an executive for 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. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. 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. Dream teams don't come much dreamier than the cast of Air. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. In the film, Vaccaro first met with Jordan through his friend George Raveling, who was the assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. Jason Bateman. On the morning of September 25, 1994, Raveling's Jeep was blindsided in a. 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. Vaccaro was friends with George Raveling, head coach of Washington State's men's basketball team, who introduced the pair. 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. Wayans plays George Raveling,. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Now Raveling works for Nike and he and Sonny are former friends. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Ben Affleck, who directs the film, stars as Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight. George Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. 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. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). The sports drama will see Affleck in the role of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, while Damon will play Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. 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. It didn’t go well. "Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. 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. 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. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. Jordan Sr. 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. " He added, "Michael’s lying more than Phil [Knight] and Raveling. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), to put in a good word, Raveling declares that following the “I Have a Dream” speech in. The roles of Jordan. 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. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. ’. 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. The untitled movie will tell “the incredible story of how maverick sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) goes on to say “There’s nothing cool about Nike. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling; Chris Messina. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in 'Air. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. ” Sonny Vaccaro: That’s not what it means. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. In the movie, Michael's difficult agent, David Falk (portrayed. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. The day after the US team won the Los Angeles Olympics, he offered Jordan $2. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. Image via Amazon Studios. Running time: 112 minutes. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. By Shikhar Verma May 17, 2023. George Raveling. Vicki Gunvalson from 'RHOC' said there are no good single men anymore but Peter Madrigal from 'Vanderpump Rules' wants to show her there are. Raveling replaced Sonny in the same job at Nike. Image via Amazon Studios Where did Nike, a brand that was barely. But, Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. “But I think it’s. 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. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro . 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. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking $2. “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. (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. " "I stayed at [Jordan's] home," Vaccaro said. Chris Messina as David Falk. . 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. The dynamics.