The superstar himself, meanwhile, credits a different man with the deal: “Sonny likes to take the credit,” Jordan has said, “But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Damian Young as Michael Jordan. Net worth: $5 million. Wayans' character Raveling worked with the USA basketball team (and therefore Jordan) at the. Director Ben Affleck and castmates Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans talk new film "Air. . George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser. The main cast also includes Matthew Maher. Director (and Boston’s own) Ben Affleck’s latest tells the tale of. Sonny Vaccaro calls out MJ,. Smart guy. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Sonny meets his good friend, George Raveling, who had crucially been the coach of the US basketball team at the. George Raveling. 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. Ben Affleck’s Air is ostensibly a biopic about the elevation of Nike’s brand from fledgling shoe company to a behemoth of the sports world. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans); and Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis) — essentially. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Jordan Sr. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Prior to this encounter, MJ had no knowledge of Nike. Affleck and Damon, who co-wrote the screenplay (Ben directs), respectively co-star as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and former Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro, a sneaker salesman who set his sights on. George Raveling 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. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Meg Ryan talks new rom-com, travel and 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife, Pam, currently reside in Calabasas, California. S. Little did he know that this search would lead to the birth of a sneaker empire and redefine the world of athletic endorsements. 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. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in 'Air. George Raveling, Director for International Basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans. It was a hard task, considering that Nike was the least favourite contender at that time. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. . 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. 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. Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser. “He used to always try. 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. Undoubtedly, this agreement marked a historic milestone in the sports industry, propelling Nike Inc. Chris Tucker as Howard White. Moving on, we have Marlon Wayans, a famous comedic actor who is taking on the role of George Raveling in Air. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. J. George Raveling initially urged Michael Jordan to join Nike. 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. Vaccaro and Jordan. -Sonny Vaccaro; I think I’m going to be remembered. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. 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. Sonny's story is. 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. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Long gone. Michael Jordan was not interested in signing the deal with Nike at first, but Vaccaro convinced Deloris Jordan in the early 1980s and used that connection to sign Jordan to his first. 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. Played by Matt Damon, Sonny Vaccaro's. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Chris Tucker as Howard White uses his comedic persona to great advantage. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. “He’s the one, in all honestly, that really persuaded me to look at Nike. 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. 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. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to Michael Jordan and his family. AVALON, N. Sonny Vaccaro: When the Rams played in the Super Bowl two years ago,. The first was George Raveling, an. 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). 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. The legend says Sonny Vaccaro convinced Jordan to come to Nike. AIR | Official Trailer. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. 22:03. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Falk bristled at the most recent comments from Sonny Vaccaro,. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Coach George Raveling. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike exec, gets the distinct honor of delivering said Inspirational Speech at the film’s climactic moment—which,. 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. ’. Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard. 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. “There’s nothing cool about Nike,” Marlon Wayans ’s character George Raveling says in the first trailer for. Both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will star as Phil Knight and Sonny Vaccaro, respectively. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. Raveling took up a rival position at. Then actually my parents made me go out to (Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, Julius Tennon and Matthew Maher also star. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. The cast also includes Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, the first Black basketball coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10,. What we know about the Air cast and crew. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. S. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Gustaf Skarsgård as. 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. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. playing basketball coach George Raveling, laments in the trailer. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Marlon Wayans plays college basketball coach George Raveling, who signed him to the brand. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Marlon Wayans plays the legendary basketball player and coach George Ravelling in a brief yet crucial appearance. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. 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. (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. The story depicts a high-stakes gamble by an unconventional team, a determined mother and the legendary basketball player who became the. As the film's version of Nike. 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 former NBA Champion claimed that a Nike Executive named George Raveling was responsible for his change of heart. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. '. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7 Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” Jordan told USA Today. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. "Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. The trailer for Air was released on February 9. -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. Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro, left, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in a scene from “Air. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Phil Knight (Affleck) and Marketing V. George Raveling: There’s nothing cool about Nike. 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 American men’s. Sonny Vaccaro is the controversial figure at the center of the most recent 30 for 30 film “Sole Man. Vaccaro also has to convince Jordan to sign with Nike despite a previous preference for Adidas. 1/200. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. -George Raveling movie quotes from AIR (2023) You got it. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. In response to this, Marketing VP Rob Strasser, along with co-founder. You’re. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Matthew Maher, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis. George Raveling, a basketball coach, was the best man at their wedding. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. Marlon Wayans even leaves a strong if brief impression as Jordan’s former Olympics coach George Raveling. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). All opinions are my own. Air, both directed and starring Affleck, the film follows the real-life story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), the sneaker salesman who signed Michael Jordan to his first-ever endorsement deal. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Watch on. " "I stayed at [Jordan's] home," Vaccaro said. 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. How to watch 'Air' movie. Matt Damon is the star of the movie, as he plays Sonny Vaccaro,. Alongside Affleck, Davis and Damon, the film sees Jason Bateman playing Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk and Marlon Wayans as George. Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. C. ’” George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling seriously and straightforwardly. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what. 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?. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. The roles of Jordan. 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. ”And while that might have been the case in 1984. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), to put in a good word, Raveling declares that following the “I Have a Dream” speech in. You’ve got to try. Vaccaro was a key figure in. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Create or log into. S. The same goes for Hampton High coach. 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. P. Jordan. basketball trailblazer George Raveling, who was the first Black coach in two iconic. 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. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. Director: Ben Affleck. 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. George Raveling, Vaccaro journeys to Wilmington, North Carolina, to persuade Michael’s mother, Deloris,. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. He met the NBA player through his friend, George Raveling, who was assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. But Vaccaro refused to give up. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. 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. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. '" Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan. 62°. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. Marlon Wayans (The Curse of Bridge Hollow) as George Raveling, Jordan’s assistant coach on the 1984. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). As the film's version of Nike. Matt Damon is starring in "Air" as sneaker salesman turned former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, with Ben Affleck playing Nike co-founder Phil Knight. S. The story will center. Deloris Jordan is portrayed by Viola Davis. Getting Fired from Nike. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Wayans plays George Raveling,. George Raveling. 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. Olympic basketball team (via Pop Sugar). Vaccaro also had a big hand in helping UCLA's Ed O'Bannon bring down the NCAA's stronghold on. 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. Knight took exception to. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling,. and George Raveling. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at Nike. In 1984, Oregon-based Nike, Inc. 7. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant. Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the maverick Nike salesman who signed rising basketball player Michael Jordan to a shoe contract in the mid-’80s that launched the global, multibillion-dollar. You get to see Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil. It was the summer of 1984 and Vaccaro was waiting at a Tony Roma's restaurant in Santa Monica, California, for his then best friend George Raveling, the head coach of the University of Iowa and an assistant on the U. The biopic comes from Amazon Studios, Mandalay Pictures, and Skydance Sports. Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Michael doesn’t credit Vaccaro for his deal with Nike, as he claimed Sonny did not. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Sonny Vaccaro now in his. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. SONNY VACCARO. Damon takes on the role of Sonny Vaccaro, the sneaker salesman who believed Michael Jordan was going to be the big basketball star that he became. Vaccaro was friends with George Raveling, head coach of Washington State's men's basketball team, who introduced the pair. KGW Top Stories: 11 p. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. , Saturday, October 14, 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. Sonny Vaccaro, Deloris Jordan, and Character Representation. 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. Jordan prior to meeting her in ‘Air,’ for the sake of elevating the charm. 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. With Sarah Claspell, Shannon Coffey, Nicole Drespel, Melissa Gomez. Klutho /Sports Illustrated/Getty Matt Damon in 'Air' and Sonny Vaccaro. Then he also said Howard White is integral to this too. George Raveling. George Raveling was an assistant coach for the Team USA basketball squad at the 1984 Olympics. 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. , USA Bio: Team USA Assistant Coach when Jordan Won Gold at 1984 Olympics. Julius Tennon as James R. Vaccaro’s impact on sports marketing and basketball is significant. In hindsight, it's a eureka moment. 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. The first addition was George Raveling, who was the assistant coach on the 1984 Olympics team Jordan played on. George Raveling, director of international basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans . Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. 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. Raveling and Sonny Vaccaro had been close friends, to the point that he was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. What's amazing is that Raveling stands aside Sonny Vaccaro as the people most in charge of destroying the fabric of American basketball. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Damon plays sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro, while Affleck portrays Nike CEO Phil Knight. Vaccaro and Jordan. Jason Bateman. ”. No, this story is about the men behind the deal – Affleck as Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro,. You’ve got to try. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. Raveling replaced Sonny in the same job at Nike. February 9, 2023. 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. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. 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. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. The company had a modest goal of earning $3 million from the sneakers over a three-year period. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, three additional Nike executives who have gotten some credit for the. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. Collaborators and longtime friends Affleck and Damon reunite as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, respectively. S. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. Raveling had a falling out with. Instead. 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. Advert 10 George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Julius Tennon as James Jordan. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive who had the genius idea to sign Michael to his first-ever sneaker deal. He famously takes credit for bringing Michael. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker. The film also stars Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Matt Damon as marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, Chris Messina as sports agent David Falk, Marlon Wayans as basketball coach George. 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. 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. . 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. You’ve got to try. Sonny Vaccaro Personal Life. ''But that's not. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. is on the verge of bankruptcy due to low footwear sales. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. 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. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan's comments: "Michael is delusional. Set at the Nike headquarters in Oregon in 1984, the film follows Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who is tasked by C. ’” Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. CHANG: When Jordan's agent, a hilariously foul-mouthed Chris Messina, refuses to so much as grant Nike. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). ". Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. Williams and Raveling insist Williams does not receive money personally. Instead, he briefly met Jordan with the help of his old friend George Raveling, pitching Jordan the idea of a shoe designed solely around him. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman), to save Nike. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Knight took exception to. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. 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. 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. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Vaccaro’s storied relationship with Nike ended on a. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob. George Raveling is crazy. George Raveling, the former USC coach and current. Chris Messina as David Falk. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Three: Sonny Vaccaro, an executive for Nike,. who plays coach George Raveling. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. Sonny Vaccaro's Side of the Story. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, with Raveling serving as best man at Sonny’s second wedding. With Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. 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. As the real George also notes on his Linkedin page, he was instrumental in the Nike. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. 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. Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe marketer widely credited with inventing the summer basketball scene, seethed as he watched the news conference. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who helped. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. 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. Back then, Sonny was laughed at by Nike honchos Howard White (Chris Tucker), Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). George Raveling are gone. Sonny Vaccaro was a central figure in the O’Bannon v. 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. “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. Nike colleges. Wayans plays George Raveling, a "college basketball trailblazer" and the first Black coach in two major conferences. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said.