Air (2023)
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A desperate Nike executive risks everything to strike a groundbreaking deal with a rookie basketball superstar.
The story
In 1984, the Oregon-based Nike, Inc. faces a crisis as its basketball shoe division nears closure due to poor sales. To save the division, Marketing VP Rob Strasser and CEO Phil Knight task talent scout Sonny Vaccaro with finding a new face for the brand. While many believe the rising star Michael Jordan is too expensive and loyal to other brands, Vaccaro becomes convinced that the rookie is a generational talent. The film follows the high-stakes negotiations and strategic maneuvers as the team attempts to secure Jordan's endorsement, navigating the complexities of corporate strategy and the personal stakes of the athlete's family to create a legacy that would change the sports industry forever.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1984, Nike's basketball division is failing. Marketing VP Rob Strasser and CEO Phil Knight task Sonny Vaccaro with finding a new spokesperson. Vaccaro identifies rookie Michael Jordan as the ideal candidate, despite concerns about his cost and loyalty to competitors. Vaccaro navigates a complex courtship, involving a meeting with Jordan's mother, Deloris, and a negotiation with his agent, David Falk. While the team prepares a prototype named 'Air Jordan,' Knight authorizes the full budget to secure the deal. Although a rival offer from Adidas seems to derail the plans, a final negotiation with Deloris leads to a deal where Jordan receives a percentage of sales. The film concludes with an epilogue showing that the Air Jordan line exceeded expectations, becoming a massive success for Nike.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 112
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ben Affleck
- Writers
- Alex Convery · writer
- Cast and characters
- Matt Damon · Sonny Vaccaro; Ben Affleck · Phil Knight; Jason Bateman · Rob Strasser; Chris Messina · David Falk; Matthew Maher · Peter Moore; Marlon Wayans · George Raveling; Jay Mohr · John Fisher; Julius Tennon · James Jordan; Chris Tucker · Howard White; Viola Davis · Deloris Jordan
- Genres
- biographical; sports; comedy-drama
- Themes
- ambition; business strategy; legacy
- Tone and mood
- inspiring; tense
- Setting
- 1984, Oregon and North Carolina
- Premise and plot tags
- true story; sports; business
- Source material / true-story basis
- true events
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and was described as a 'Cinderella story' and 'fast-paced' by some, while others criticized its 'flimsy premise' and 'hollow' execution.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 73 · scale: 100 · review count: 59; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 93% · scale: percent
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Awards · Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · nomination
- Production trivia
- Michael Jordan was involved in the production and provided script suggestions.; The film was originally intended for a streaming-only release.; The film features a character of Michael Jordan whose face is not seen.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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