Sonny meets his good friend, George Raveling, who had crucially been the coach of the US basketball team at the. George Raveling. O. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. The legend says Sonny Vaccaro convinced Jordan to come to Nike. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans); and Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis) — essentially. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had a close friendship, so much so that Raveling served as the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). Affleck stars as Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. Damon portrays sneaker salesman. He asked his old. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. And then he [Michael Jordan] talked at length about his. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. Played by Matt Damon. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Matt Damon is starring in "Air" as sneaker salesman turned former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, with Ben Affleck playing Nike co-founder Phil Knight. 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. 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. 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. Vaccaro and Jordan. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. " He added, "Michael’s lying more than Phil [Knight] and Raveling. Phil Knight is sinful. The untitled movie will tell “the incredible story of how maverick sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. "Stockton's. S. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. "Spokane, Washington," the employee says. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. ) to hear their proposal. And his achievements and awards reflect his legacy and contributions to the industry. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. In the fall of 1984, a 21-year-old Jordan inked a five-year deal with Nike for $2. 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. Played by Matt Damon. Olympic team that won gold in LA. 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. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. In hindsight, it's a eureka moment. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. The initial. 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 used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. The new posters see Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro while Affleck is seen as Nike co-founder Phil Knight. 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. . Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Vaccaro and Jordan. On the morning of September 25, 1994, Raveling's Jeep was blindsided in a. 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. But the man himself credits George Raveling for the decision that changed his life. Jordan Sr. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. 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. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. 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. George Raveling is crazy. Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. George Raveling is crazy. . m. S. Sonny's story is. . 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 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” Jordan told USA Today. At the time, Nike had. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. S. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. 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. Peter Moore, Played By. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Until, that is, Nike’s Sonny Vaccaro convinced his CEO Phil Knight to go all-out and blow their annual budget on recruiting one player: Michael Jordan. CHANG: When Jordan's agent, a hilariously foul-mouthed Chris Messina, refuses to so much as grant Nike. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. 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. RELATED: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Star in Biopic About Nike's Sonny Vaccaro. Image via Amazon Studios. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Sonny believes he can restore Nike to its former glory by putting immense talent behind a sneaker. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. 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. Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro believes. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro while Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Olympic Men’s Basketball team), decides that he needs to go to. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. Raveling and Vaccaro already had a long-standing rivalry with one another, so these comments didn't sit well with Vaccaro. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. 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. The company had a modest goal of earning $3 million from the sneakers over a three-year period. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. Rounding out the cast is Chris Tucker as Howard White, Jason Bateman as Strasser, Matthew Maher as Moore, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. The plot. Undoubtedly, this agreement marked a historic milestone in the sports industry, propelling Nike Inc. 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. I t was a cutthroat, lucrative, and often corrupt culture that Sonny Vaccaro and his sneaker company competitors created during the ’90s and early ’00s, when Adidas, Nike, Reebok, and others zealously sought to find “the next Michael Jordan. 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. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. The center of “Air” is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a Nike exec with a basketball scout’s eye for rising talent. The sports drama will see Affleck in the role of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, while Damon will play Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Elsewhere, the cast features Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. 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. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. The cast also includes Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, the first Black basketball coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10,. Raveling took up a rival. 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. 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. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike. 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. 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. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Julius Tennon as James Jordan. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Damian Young as Michael Jordan. Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard. Sonny even has a five-minute monologue where he predicts the whole of Jordan's future in the meeting. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. 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. In an attempt to find support among the people close to Jordan, Vaccarro gets in touch with George Raveling, who coached Jordan. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. But, Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. Ana Carballosa/Prime Video; David E. What's amazing is that Raveling stands aside Sonny Vaccaro as the people most in charge of destroying the fabric of American basketball. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to Michael Jordan and his family. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan / Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Running time: 112 minutes. Below are step-by-step instructions for how to sign up for Amazon Prime Video’s free trial. 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,. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing with Nike. Of course, in the sneaker business, they’re. 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. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Raveling was a dear friend of. Vaccaro and Jordan. The first trailer is here for “Air,” the movie starring Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike executive trying to sign basketball rookie Michael. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. -Phil Knight movie quotes from AIR (2023) We need you in these shoes, not to have meaning in your life, but so we can have meaning in ours. In the same year, Jordan signed a record-breaking $2. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Most notably Wayans was an assistant coach to Bobby Knight for the United States Olympic team in 1984 which Michael Jordan was a part of and went. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan's comments: "Michael is delusional. Chris Tucker as Howard W. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling,. In the movie, Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans, and, even though he is in just one rather short scene, it's a crucial one. You’re. (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. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. 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). “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. While Sonny Vaccaro was convinced that he wanted to get Michael Jordan on board, he was on the fence about bypassing David Falk, MJ’s agent, and talking directly to his parents. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. 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. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, former Team USA assistant coach; Chris Messina as David Falk,. 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. February 9, 2023. Sonny was hired by Phil Knight (portrayed by Affleck) to revamp his basketball shoe division, which has only gotten smaller since Vaccaro’s arrival. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Falk, Raveling, and White are all people involved with either Jordan or Nike, while Viola. Sonny Vaccaro was a central figure in the O’Bannon v. One could make an argument that the system which has developed through greedy businessmen building on Vaccaro's. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. Pioneering coach George Raveling's surprising connection to MLK. 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. 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. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. AIR | Official Trailer. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. 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. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. The story will center. 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 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, which will be released in theaters on April 5, tells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who, in the 1980s, was in charge of Nike’s fledgling basketball division. Now Raveling works for Nike and he and Sonny are former friends. Click “Start your 30-day free trial “. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, with Raveling serving as best man at Sonny’s second wedding. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. 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. 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. Nike co-founder Phil Knight is portrayed by Affleck, who is also directing the film. George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . There is a scene in the film where Sonny Vaccaro, after having a conversation with George Raveling (the assistant coach of the U. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. “We talk often, sometimes daily for long stretches,” he said. KGW Top Stories: 11 p. S. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. 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. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris. The package is worth approximately $100,000, according to Nike’s George Raveling. Smart guy. Vaccaro was a key. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. 62°. Air: Directed by Ben Affleck. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling;. 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. 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. George Raveling is the first person to talk to Michael about Nike. 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. Phil Knight (Affleck) and Marketing V. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Directed by Ben Affleck, this '80s-set movie based on real events stars Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Air is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. Coach George Raveling. ”And while that might have been the case in 1984. As other companies also try to court Jordan, Nike must enlist the help of his former coach George Raveling (played by Wayans). 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. E. Writer: Alex Convery. ”. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling Chris Tucker as Howard White Jason. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. In 1984, Oregon-based Nike, Inc. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Little did he know that this search would lead to the birth of a sneaker empire and redefine the world of athletic endorsements. “He’s the one, in all honestly, that really persuaded me to look at Nike. Ben Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Matt Damon plays shoe salesman-turned Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. White in 'Air'. George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr. Matt Damon (Sonny Vaccaro) First up on the list is the main man himself,. 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. You get to see Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil. who plays coach George Raveling. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling who sold him on Nike. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at Nike. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. 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. Raveling's prediction: International players will comprise 50% of the NBA by 2010. The story will center. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who helped. 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. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. The roles of Jordan. CEO Phil Knight (Affleck) tells Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro like a disappointed dad,. 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. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. “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. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling. ’ 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. Moving on, we have Marlon Wayans, a famous comedic actor who is taking on the role of George Raveling in Air. Raveling and Sonny Vaccaro had been close friends, to the point that he was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. J. The film centers on Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a bold sports marketing executive looking for a star for Nike’s basketball division. Jordan prior to meeting her in ‘Air,’ for the sake of elevating the charm. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive who had the genius idea to sign Michael to his first-ever sneaker deal. Knight took exception to. Set at the Nike headquarters in Oregon in 1984, the film follows Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who is tasked by C. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. Sonny Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, so Raveling was Sonny’s second wedding best man. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on the search to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon . Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. ''When you talk power, that means someone who can manipulate,'' says Raveling. 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. S. -George Raveling movie quotes from AIR (2023) You got it. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will star as Phil Knight and Sonny Vaccaro, respectively. Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman), to save Nike. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Chris Messina as David Falk, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. 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. George Raveling was offered $3 million for his Martin Luther King Jr speech. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. 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. “You can never say never,” said Gary Charles, the head coach of the New York Panthers and a Vaccaro lieutenant from 1992-2006, when Vaccaro hung up his kicks and retired . George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. 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) likes to take the credit. Nike. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. As the real George also notes on his Linkedin page, he was instrumental in the Nike. 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. Or Sonny Vaccaro? Or George Raveling? Or Myron Piggie? Or Worldwide Wes? Or whatever boogeyman they could sell to the public as tarnishing their pristine (and quite pretend) world. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. (Jason Bateman), David Falk (Chris Messina), Peter Moore (Matthew Maher), George Raveling (Marlon. 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. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. 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. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. — When it comes to the July recruiting period, the Wild West days of Sonny Vaccaro vs. Mais il n'y a pas que Sonny qui a fait changer d'avis MJ, il y a aussi George Raveling. 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. ” Sonny Vaccaro: That’s not what it means. -George Raveling; Your voice tells you to do some stupid sh!t. 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. Chris Messina as David Falk. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) goes on to say “There’s nothing cool about Nike. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. No, this story is about the men behind the deal – Affleck as Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro,. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. The film will be released in theaters April 5, 2023. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. playing basketball coach George Raveling, laments in the trailer. Matt Damon stars as Vaccaro while Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. S. Raveling became a rival to Sonny for the same position at Nike. But thanks to advice from Howard White and George Raveling, Vaccaro knows that his way to connect with Michael is through his mother, Deloris. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. As the film's version of Nike. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Sonny Vaccaro was fired from Nike for allegedly planning on pursuing other business ventures outside of the Nike franchise, whilst. ”. Other cast members include Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf. The day after the US team won the Los Angeles Olympics, he offered Jordan $2. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. 1/200. Sonny met Michael almost immediately after the 1984 Summer Olympics and was introduced by George Raveling (who is played by Marlon Wayans in Air), who coached the U. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant. and George Raveling. So he flies to Los Angeles and seeks advice from his good friend George Raveling, the famed Olympic basketball coach, played here by Marlon Wayans. A friend of Vaccaro’s, Raveling first introduced the idea of signing Nike and Jordan. 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. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. 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. . 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. on a landmark. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. George Raveling are gone. 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. George Raveling, Director for International Basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans. DAMON: (As Sonny Vaccaro) The most competitive guy I have ever seen. 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. Did Sonny Vaccaro really bypass Michael Jordan's agent and go directly to his parents to make his pitch? Not exactly. ” With Vaccaro at Adidas and his former best friend George Raveling running grassroots basketball at. Falk bristled at the most recent comments from Sonny Vaccaro,. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. We’ve shared the full cast list below: Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl.