Chris Tucker as Howard W. George Raveling was an assistant coach for the Team USA basketball squad at the 1984 Olympics. Then, Rob and I met with Falk at the meeting at the Hermitage [hotel in. 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. 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. Sonny Vaccaro: When the Rams played in the Super Bowl two years ago,. The film will be released in theaters April 5, 2023. Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. ’”Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. How to watch 'Air' movie. There is a scene in the film where Sonny Vaccaro, after having a conversation with George Raveling (the assistant coach of the U. 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. Pioneering coach George Raveling's surprising connection to MLK. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan said. Visit Amazon Prime Video’s website. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. Apr 06, 2023 In 'Air,' Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro seeks to sign Michael Jordan to a historic sneaker deal. playing basketball coach George Raveling, laments in the trailer. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. , and Vaccaro decides to. Meg Ryan talks new rom-com, travel and 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Director (and Boston’s own) Ben Affleck’s latest tells the tale of. 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. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife, Pam, currently reside in Calabasas, California. "Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on the search to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon . He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go 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. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. PHOTO: Ana Carballosa/Prime Matthew Maher, Matt Damon, and Jason Bateman as Peter Moore, Sonny Vaccaro, and Rob. Vaccaro later visits a 7-Eleven convenience store, posing the same question to a store clerk while purchasing a Sports Illustrated magazine. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Raveling took up a rival position at. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. Air, both directed and starring Affleck, the film follows the real-life story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), the sneaker salesman who signed Michael Jordan to his first-ever endorsement deal. But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling. ” It was a very different. By Shikhar Verma May 17, 2023. George Raveling: [to Sonny] You bypass the agents and talk directly to the family, you’re going to. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. 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. That said, the part in the film in which Sonny Vaccaro visits Deloris in North. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. 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. Aunque ni este ni su familia. 00:00. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. Vaccaro claimed about being investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage after he got fired from Nike. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was the best man at Vaccaro’s second wedding. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. In hindsight, it's a eureka moment. Knight took exception to. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go. Elsewhere, the cast features Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris. The story depicts a high-stakes gamble by an unconventional team, a determined mother and the legendary basketball player who became the. "Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. . , and Vaccaro decides to. However, the founder of Nike, Phil Knight spoke against Vaccar. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser in 'Air. Inspired by the true story of Nike's partnership with Michael Jordan, the. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 5 million. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Sonny believes he can restore Nike to its former glory by putting immense talent behind a sneaker. Chris Tucker as Howard White. 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. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. Vaccaro’s impact on sports marketing and basketball is significant. and George Raveling. Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan's comments: "Michael is delusional. 5 million contract with Nike, which paved the way for the debut of the Air Jordan shoe line. Chris Tucker as Howard White. This reflects when Marlon Wayans’ George Raveling tells how Martin Luther King’s famous speech was spontaneous. In reality, Vaccaro met with Michael Jordan at Tony Roma's with George Raveling (portrayed in "Air" by Marlon Wayans) before Vaccaro and Deloris Jordan began speaking over the phone. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, with Raveling serving as best man at Sonny’s second wedding. The former NBA Champion claimed that a Nike Executive named George Raveling was responsible for his change of heart. The dynamics. 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. Sonny Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling were close friends, so Raveling was Sonny’s second wedding best man. Olympic team that won gold in LA. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. Of course, in the sneaker business, they’re. "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. 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. Is the 2023 movie Air good or bad?War is hell: Former USC coach George Raveling stood up at Vaccaro’s wedding. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to. 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. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. ” “Puma”, “Please use my a**. ” With Vaccaro at Adidas and his former best friend George Raveling running grassroots basketball at. 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. (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 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. Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. “Spokane, Washington,” the employee says. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. 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. Crafts/DIY. Affleck stars alongside Matt Damon (as Sonny Vaccaro), Viola Davis (as Deloris Jordan), Julius Tennon. In Air, Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro,. The Nike executives, salesmen, and. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. The Good Will Hunting actors portray Nike cofounder Phil Knight (Damon) and Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro (Affleck). 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. 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. Post the ideation, Sonny’s next task was to persuade the NBA player to ditch Adidas and convert into a Nike enthusiast. Although, in reality, Vaccaro did make multiple phone calls to Mrs. 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. Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. 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. With only $250,000 to spend on a few players, schlubby basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) is the one tapped to find the court stars who can take Nike to the promised land, though most of the. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. ”. George Raveling, the former USC coach and current. Bravo Teases Behind The Scenes Look At Tom Sandoval And Raquel Leviss Cheating EpisodeBravo Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Look at Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss Cheating Scandal Episode. Sonny Vaccaro, who embarked on a quest to sign Michael Jordan, played by Matt Damon. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), to put in a good word, Raveling declares that following the “I Have a Dream” speech in. Did Sonny Vaccaro really bypass Michael Jordan's agent and go directly to his parents to make his pitch? Not exactly. And the icon selected Viola Davis to play his mother Deloris, who was pivotal in the negotiation. Both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will star as Phil Knight and Sonny Vaccaro, respectively. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Well, all of. 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. The biopic will focus on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. Little did he know that this search would lead to the birth of a sneaker empire and redefine the world of athletic endorsements. 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. Marlon Wayans (The Curse of Bridge Hollow) as George Raveling, Jordan’s assistant coach on the 1984. "A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. Three days later, the trailer aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling;. -Sonny Vaccaro; I think I’m going to be remembered. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. The cast also includes Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, the first Black basketball coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pacific-10,. But Vaccaro refused to give up. ” Raveling played at Villanova and coached at Washington. Raveling and Sonny had a falling out over the summer high school basketball programs that Sonny ran. The script centers primarily on the sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro, who ran Nike — at the time, a middling shoe company — along with co-founder Phil Knight, and led a historic endorsement deal. 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. Matt Damon will assume the role of Sonny Vaccaro,. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling in 'Air'. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. KGW speaks with Sonny Vaccaro, portrayed by Matt Damon in upcoming film 'Air'. 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. “He used to always try. ". 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. Vaccaro was friends with George Raveling, head coach of Washington State's men's basketball team, who introduced the pair. “Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. (Nike marketing official) George Raveling and. 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. Sonny Vaccaro was a central figure in the O’Bannon v. 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. Revelling/Reckoning: Directed by Zach Neumeyer. AVALON, N. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. Watch on. RELATED: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Star in Biopic About Nike's Sonny Vaccaro. Jordan prior to meeting her in ‘Air,’ for the sake of elevating the charm. Damon stars in “Air” as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Played by Matt Damon, Sonny Vaccaro's. George Raveling, seen here in 1983, went from Sonny Vaccaro’s close friend to rival. 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?. Yet he no longer speaks to George Raveling,. 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. Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. . 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. Matthew Maher as Peter Moore. The untitled movie will tell “the incredible story of how maverick sneaker salesman Sonny Vaccaro. Director (and Boston’s own) Ben Affleck’s latest tells the tale of. In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. Sonny Vaccaro is a former sports marketing executive who spent years promoting brands including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. 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. ''But that's not. 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). In the film, Vaccaro first met with Jordan through his friend George Raveling, who was the assistant to the national team coach, Bobby Knight. 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. ' Photo: Ana Carballosa. Jason Bateman. . Now Raveling works for Nike and he and Sonny are former friends. He fell out with Sony over a high school summer basketball camp business operated by Sonny. '" Vaccaro, on the podcast, responded to Jordan. Click “Start your 30-day free trial “. Raveling introduced Jordan to Vaccaro, and Jordan told USA Today that Raveling kept telling him, “You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. George Raveling are gone. Vaccaro was a significant figure in the. 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. George Raveling, Director for International Basketball for Nike, played by Marlon Wayans. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. Falk bristled at the most recent comments from Sonny Vaccaro,. Undoubtedly, this agreement marked a historic milestone in the sports industry, propelling Nike Inc. Former basketball coach George Raveling (left) is. 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. But, Raveling had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. The roles of Jordan. 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. You get to see Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil. All opinions are my own. George Raveling. . 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 Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as creative director Peter Moore, and Jason Bateman as Nike chairman Rob. George Raveling. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who helped. ) to hear their proposal. "George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as. You’ve got to try. 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. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team. Don Yaeger was an Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated magazine. Getting Fired from Nike. Vaccaro sought the help of his close friend and basketball coach, George Raveling, to reach out to Jordan. Enter a livewire Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a sweaty schlub in charge of Nike's flailing basketball division. 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. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore,. In a follow-up interview with USA Today, Vaccaro stated that he was "the savior of Nike. Writer: Alex Convery. Prior to this encounter, MJ had no knowledge of Nike. 7. Enter Sonny Vaccaro, a tenacious Nike employee tasked with discovering a fresh face for the brand. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. He used to always try to talk to me, 'You gotta go Nike. Getting Fired from Nike. George Raveling Born: June 27, 1937 Birthplace: Washington, D. Raveling’s shorthand with Sonny speaks of a past history and trust communicated with small gestures and easy laughs. Michael Jordan himself has also given credit to George Raveling for. Raveling and Sonny Vaccaro had been close friends, to the point that he was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. The film centers on Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a bold sports marketing executive looking for a star for Nike’s basketball division. Raveling's prediction: International players will comprise 50% of the NBA by 2010. Raveling, who calls Vaccaro ''Pear'' because of his shape, has been a confidant since the 1960s. 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. Sonny Vaccaro and his wife Pam live in Calabasas, California. Ben Affleck, who directs the film, stars as Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight. You’ve got to try. Marlon Wayans plays college basketball coach George Raveling, who signed him to the brand. Sonny and former coach George Raveling. Vaccaro claimed he was able to convince Jordan — who wore Converse in college. Comedian Marlon Wayans was tapped to play George Raveling, who served as an assistant coach for the 1984 U. and George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) who. Peter Moore, Played By. " "I stayed at [Jordan's] home," Vaccaro said. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what. 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. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan / Courtesy of Amazon Studios. 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). “Air” is the origin story of a shoe, and not just any shoe. Directed by Ben Affleck, this '80s-set movie based on real events stars Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike. Once Nike agreed, Vaccaro used his close friend, basketball coach George Raveling, to connect him to Jordan. Running time: 112 minutes. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a. 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. Watch on. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) goes on to say “There’s nothing cool about Nike. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” Jordan told USA Today. The footage features Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) questioning Sonny Vaccaro. Matt Damon stars in the film as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. Marlon Wayans plays George Raveling seriously and straightforwardly. 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. George Raveling is a former Olympics basketball coach who worked with Jordan at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. 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. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing with Nike. 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. Each. Sonny Vaccaro's Side of the Story. George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), a friend of Vaccaro’s who coached Michael Jordan in the 1984 Olympic basketball team, weighs in with encouragement. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. Sonny Vaccaro with Michael Jordan – Sonny embarked on a quest to sign the guard for the Chicago Bulls. “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. Olympic team that won gold in LA. 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. Sonny Vaccaro received a promise from Team USA coach George Raveling, who played a pivotal role in persuading Michael to consider the deal. 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. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. Sonny meets his good friend, George Raveling, who had crucially been the coach of the US basketball team at the. . But it really wasn't Sonny, it was actually George Raveling," Jordan told USA Today in 2015. 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. Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro while the role of Phil Knight is essayed by Affleck. Matt Damon is the star of the movie, as he plays Sonny Vaccaro,. He met with George Raveling (played by Marlon Wayans), a former NBA player and college. Wayans plays 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. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). George Raveling: “Nike” has no meaning. It was a hard task, considering that Nike was the least favourite contender at that time. George Raveling is played by Marlon Wayans. to rapid success in the shoe-making. AIR parents guide (2023) I was able to screen AIR in order to write this AIR Parents Guide. 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 had a falling out with Sonny over the business of summer high school basketball camps that Sonny ran. The all-star cast includes Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf. Sonny Vaccaro talks the accuracy of 'Air' with FN and remembers his unforgettable speech at Nike HQ to Michael Jordan and his family. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro. "I traveled to. But the man himself credits George Raveling for the decision that changed his life. The duo are joined by Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s. 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. He is a f***ing killer. Alongside Affleck, Davis and Damon, the film sees Jason Bateman playing Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk and Marlon Wayans as George. " He added, "Michael’s lying more than Phil [Knight] and Raveling. Basketball coach George Raveling was the best man at the Vaccaro wedding before the two had a falling out in the years. Sonny Vaccaro skipped the standard practice and contacted Michael Jordan’s family directly, talking directly with Michael’s mother, Deloris. Matt Damon and Viola Davis in a scene from the movie AIR. John (Sonny) Vaccaro has clout. Raveling says that Vaccaro's emergence was a matter of good timing: Nike needed a front man, and Sonny knew the people. 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. Matt Damon (Sonny Vaccaro) First up on the list is the main man himself,. However, after he met George Raveling at a bar in California, he knew what he had to do. Prior to all of that, Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. " Ana Carballosa/Prime. Recommendations Slide 1 of 7 Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. 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. 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. Phil Knight is sinful. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, an executive of Nike’s basketball division tasked with breathing live into the department. Vaccaro and basketball coach George Raveling had been close friends, to the point that Raveling was the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan. Jordan never appears on screen in the film. O. Raveling became Sonny's competitor in the same position at Nike. Mais il n'y a pas que Sonny qui a fait changer d'avis MJ, il y a aussi George Raveling. The film, about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, also stars Matt Damon as Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro. Jordan Sr. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. 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. Getty Images Vaccaro and Raveling were close friends during their time at Nike, so much so that Raveling was. Sonny Vaccaro is the controversial figure at the center of the most recent 30 for 30 film “Sole Man. George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an. The ensemble star cast of the movie features Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, Affleck as Phil Knight, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris. George Raveling is crazy. Michael Jordan says marketing executive George Raveling, not Sonny Vaccaro, sold him on signing. 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. With Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina. Affleck's longtime friend and longtime collaborator plays. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro,. 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. Marlon Wayans supports the cast as longtime college basketball coach George Raveling, who served as the head coach of three Division I basketball programs over a span of twenty years. (Jason Bateman) and Howard White (Chris Tucker); college ball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans); and Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis) — essentially. John "Sonny" Vaccaro has long been cast as some kind of mafioso, strong-arming amateur basketball for much of his 63 years. Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air. Nike colleges. In an attempt to find support among the people close to Jordan, Vaccarro gets in touch with George Raveling, who coached Jordan. Jordan. 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. He was replaced by George Raveling, the best man at Vaccaro’s wedding, who also talked crap about Sonny in the press for doing the same stuff that Nike Hired George to do, an attempt by Knight. Marlon Wayans as George Raveling and Chris. For the briefest of moments, Sonny Vaccaro appeared in Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance,” the 10-part, Michael Jordan-focused documentary running on ESPN.