AIR JORDAN IS NOW A MOVIE
Air Jordan is now a movie. Specifically, it is called Air: Courting a Legend. The movie stars Ben Affleck as Nike’s wired CEO Phil Knight. Matt Damon plays the influencial Sonny Vaccaro who was instrumental in convincing the Jordan family to sign with Nike. Speaking of Jordan’s family, Viola Davis steals the show as Deloris Jordan! Strong performances by Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker anchor the storyline of everything that happened behind the scenes at Nike during the mid 1980’s.
Scene Setter:
When Michael Jordan entered the NBA in 1984, he was a highly touted rookie. But he wasn’t yet the iconic figure he would become. That all changed when he signed with Nike to create the Air Jordan brand of sneakers. The groundbreaking deal changed the way companies market athletes forever.
At the time, Nike, a relatively new company, tried to break into the basketball market and signed deals with several notable players, including Moses Malone and Bernard King. However, they continued to search for their breakout star.
Enter Michael Jordan. The young rookie made waves in college basketball, leading the University of North Carolina to an NCAA championship in 1982. Nike saw his potential and offered him a deal that would pay him $500,000 a year for five years. That was an unprecedented amount for an athlete in those days. Jordan hesitated at first, as he had already been courted by other companies, but ultimately decided to sign with Nike.
Not Just Any Shoe:
The Air Jordan line of sneakers was born, and it would go on to become one of the most iconic and successful brands in the history of sports marketing. The shoes were instantly popular, thanks in part to their unique design and Jordan’s on-court success. He won Rookie of the Year in his first season and went on to win five MVP awards and six NBA championships, all while wearing the Air Jordans.
The success of the Air Jordans helped to establish Nike as a dominant force in the basketball shoe market and paved the way for other athletes to sign lucrative endorsement deals. It also helped to cement Jordan’s status as a cultural icon, transcending the sport of basketball and becoming a symbol of coolness and success.
In conclusion, Michael Jordan’s decision to sign with Nike was a game-changer for both the company and the world of sports marketing. The Air Jordan brand remains as popular today as it was in the 1980s, a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the greatest athletes of all time.
2022 Masters Tournament Complete Final Leaderboard and Winnings
1. Scottie Scheffler - $2.7 Million
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Scottie Scheffler celebrates after being awarded the Green Jacket during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
-10 69 67 71 71 278 2. Rory McIlroy - $1.62 Million
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after chipping in for birdie from the bunker on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
-7 73 73 71 64 281 T3. Shane Lowry - $870,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Shane Lowry of Ireland tips his hat to the crowd on the 18th green after finishing his round during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
-5 73 68 73 69 283 T3. Cameron Smith - $870,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Cameron Smith of Australia plays his shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
-5 68 74 68 73 283
5. Collin Morikawa - $600,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Collin Morikawa plays his shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
-4 73 70 74 67 284
T6. Will Zalatoris - $521,250
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Will Zalatoris plays his shot from the bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
-3 71 72 75 67 285T6. Corey Conners - $521,250
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Corey Conners of Canada plays his shot from the bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
-3 70 73 72 70 285
T8. Justin Thomas - $450,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Justin Thomas reacts after making birdie on the second green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
-1 76 67 72 72 287T8. Sungjae Im - $450,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Sungjae Im of South Korea plays his shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
-1 67 74 71 75 287
T10. Cameron Champ - $390,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 08: Cameron Champ plays his shot on the second hole during the second round of The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
E 72 75 71 70 288
T10. Charl Schwartzel - $390,000
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Charl Schwartzel of South Africa reacts after making par from the bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
E 72 69 73 74 288
