How Nike Landed Michael Jordan: The Story Behind Air
By: Nitin Singh
If you are a fan of basketball, sneakers, or both, you might have heard of Air, a sports drama film that tells the story of how Nike courted Michael Jordan and launched the Air Jordan brand.
The film, directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, and Jason Bateman, is now streaming on Prime Video.
Air is based on the true events that took place in the mid-1980s, when Nike was struggling to compete with Adidas and Converse in the basketball market
Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), a Nike marketing executive, saw the potential in Michael Jordan, a rookie player who had just been drafted by the Chicago Bulls.
Vaccaro convinced Nike's founder Phil Knight (Affleck) to offer Jordan a unprecedented deal that would give him his own signature shoe line and a share of the profits.
The film shows how Vaccaro and his team negotiated with Jordan and his family, especially his mother Deloris (Davis), who played a crucial role in persuading her son to sign with Nike.
It also depicts the challenges and risks that Nike faced in creating and marketing the Air Jordan 1, the first shoe of the brand that revolutionized the sneaker industry and culture.
Air is not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most successful partnerships in sports history, but also a tribute to Michael Jordan's legacy as an athlete and a cultural icon.
The film uses archival footage of Jordan's games and interviews, but does not feature an actor playing him. Instead, it focuses on the people who helped him become the world's first billionaire athlete.
Air is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports, business, or fashion. It is an entertaining and inspiring film that celebrates the power of passion, vision, and innovation.
You can stream it for free on Prime Video with your Amazon Prime membership.