Sonny Vaccaro Brought Michael Jordan to Nike & Changed Sports Branding Forever | The Rich Eisen Show

Shoe/Marketing legend Sonny Vaccaro joins Rich Eisen in-studio where he recounts how bringing Michael Jordan into the Nike fold changed sports marketing forever as portrayed in the new Ben Affleck-Matt Damon ‘Air’ film.
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#richeisenshow #michaeljordan #nike

[@htvlogs80]

This guy is the reason why there’s a sneaker head culture. Remember, MJ wanted to signed with Adidas, he loves Adidas back then. Because of Sonny’s vision, persistent of chasing & pitching to MJ & his mom, the rest is history. Thank you, Sonny.

[@blakewhittington4336]

You must has just seen the movie. Lol

[@robertcuratolo5339]

🤭 Also thanking Portland for taking Bowie it changed the landscape for the Bulls from losers to winners forever.🤗

[@azdrone233]

Peter moor is the reason. He designed the shoes, added the Jump man etc

[@gamecocks1150]

@@blakewhittington4336 I see what you did there. lol Well plays

[@JGunit]

Air

[@investorbettor505]

Sonny and MJs mom are absolute legends

[@Jayolebabe]

Bro, they part of the culture. That's crazy 😂😅

[@khairyjenkins]

Plus Pete the guy who designed the shoe

[@shadowbanned777]

Neither are Legends this movie was typical yt men propaganda to credit Michael Jordans greatness to 2 yt men and his momma...

[@irissanders7487]

Wilt Chamberlain stated before he passed that all of the players in the NBA should give MJ 10% of their earnings because of what he did for the NBA and their salaries

[@60zeller]

Thanks for clarification that he said it before he died. Really needed that

[@Space-nutz]

No no no, you are mistaken. A psychic contacted wilt from the dead, and wilt was able to communicate via ouija board. It was clearly after his passing.

[@TheCarpentersApprentice]

Well I sir am glad for one that you clarified he said it before he passed. Don’t let the haters get you down King! Words have been written by me, while living. Peace ✌🏽

[@courtneysmith1558]

I'm so glad that this man is finally getting the credit he deserves. It's as if they tried write him out of important sports history until his 30 for 30 documentary came out. Good or bad he needs to be spoken of.

[@tranemiles7212]

anyone who had a Sports Illustrated subscription back 80's-90's already knew Sonny Vaccaro

[@courtneysmith1558]

​@@tranemiles7212agreed, but there's a new generation that needs to know about this man. These kids need to be thanking him for NIL because his case with Ed O'Bannon opened the door to pay these kids the money they deserved.

[@loulougallo8353]

The incredible thing about ‘Air’ movie is that we’d think it’s about MJ, but actually it’s about Sonny and MJ’s mom. They knew what he was capable to do, and he did it. MJs exceeded his excellence

[@tprice323]

The movie was a great tribute to what Michael’s mother did for him and his future. So amazing the vision she had for him.

[@pomerlain8924]

MJ's mom was forward thinking, to say the least. She helped to chart the path that all the players today have in getting a piece of the shoe company. The company gets to eat a share of the profits of the shoe, then the player should eat too. Great movie.

[@metagaminguniversemgu2240]

Its just a shoe until Michael Jordan puts his foot in it.

[@davidfitzgerald3201]

It's so cool that he's receiving the recognition he deserves in his older age. Air was a fantastic movie.

[@DannyNoonan74]

I saw the movie Saturday night with my daughter. My favorite scene was the meeting in the Nike boardroom. They were showing the video & Sonny(Damon) could clearly see that they were losing MJ & his parents. He stops the video abruptly & gives a passionate speech that was brilliant & inspiring. His whole life was poured into it!

[@MalcolmWong]

Just watch Air movie As a grown man 48 yrs old.. the songs, the games, wired remote control.. gosh, really miss those 80s & 90s era Thank you air jordan

[@joeldriver-sp2rg]

Saw the movie yesterday and it really was well done. I was 15 in 1984 and they play probably 30-35 songs from that era throughout the movie that took me back to that time plus all of the nostalgia like Rubic's cubes, breakdancing, old commercials, rotary telephones, etc. were just really cool to see. Hard to believe that was 39 years ago. I never really knew this story about how they signed Jordan but it shows how big of an impact he really had to save an entire sporting goods company that probably wouldn't be here otherwise.

[@adam_gonzz]

Can’t wait to see it thanks.

[@ghostgeorgevi6909]

Best movie I've seen in a while...was hesitant to watch it like how interesting can this be but I'm going to watch it again and I don't usually do that

[@RedzClapz]

​@ghost george VI facts. I just finished watching it also. Very well written. Viola Davis matt, Ben chris played their role very good

[@dr.awkward9075]

Alternate history: In 1984 a struggling shoe company named Nike invested $250,000 in making a shoe for the best player in the 1984 NBA draft. Later that year the Air Bowie was launched. Unfortunately, Sam Bowie broke his leg in a game in 1985 with many blaming the shoe for the injury. Nike would go bankrupt in 1986 just as the Reebok Jordan 2000 was becoming the dominant shoe in the market.

[@Redmenace96]

pure gold

[@loscookiemonsters1555]

Not the movie that we need But the one we deserve

[@dr.awkward9075]

@@loscookiemonsters1555 🤣🤣

[@thecoach11]

Actually Nike wasn’t the first name it was Blue Ribbon Sports another fun fact for the people

[@manchesterunitedno7]

But Reebok, just like Nike back then. Also only known for one thing, cross trainer shoes. The company only enter basketball market years after Nike first Air Jordan launched. If anything, Jordan will be: With Nike, or Adidas agreed to leverage the Nike's deal. Then Jordan really became Adidas guy, with Jordan as a new branch Adidas sneaker.

[@aznpanda510x]

The movie was so freaking good!!! I’m glad Matt Damon due him justice!

[@stevem2323]

Fantastic movie.

[@bartsullivan4866]

It really was. Nike would have still succeeded but would have been no where near the conglomerate it became as we know it today. Kind of like Microsoft and Apple taking something that was a moderate success into the stratosphere.

[@rickylearnsgolf]

Sonny just answered the GOAT debate .

[@TopGKev]

MJ is bigger than the legend at this point.

[@veggielover100]

Saw the movie today. Mr. Vaccaro is such a legend. He changed sports marketing forever.

[@MrYoumitube]

Both parties benefited. The biggest sporting deal in history.

[@toogoat9293]

There was only one Michael Jordan tho

[@Spyrosdaf12]

Sonny Vaccaro is such a smart, articulate, talented and legendary figure. So glad that movie will have him remembered for eternity

[@noitallmanaz]

who ruined the game

[@toogoat9293]

Jordan is the 🐐. The legend of all legends

[@m.l.9199]

We got to be thankful for this man. He saw something nobody else saw in Michael and made the biggest deal ever for Nike. God bless you sir🙏🏽

[@BeaWalsh]

Air movie is amazing for it's simplicity and being straightforward. Thankyou, Sonny! 💕

[@whothetechknows]

Great interview is always. I'm super excited to see this one!

[@zyragale60]

I've watched the movie "AIR" very inspiring... and salute to this man Sonny Vaccaro

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Very hyped about this movie

[@lexinekaye]

Wellplayed Jordan Family

[@netomeds]

Great movie!!!!! Love the portrayal of MJ's mom! Smart lady!

[@L0rdXBeeurs]

What an amazing interview

[@mattsennett]

What a great guy Sonny is and what a brilliant story the whole Nike / MJ one is 👍🏻

[@santafejboy2]

Incredible story

[@danceyrselfkleen]

Not really

[@InputOutputCaput]

God bless you, mr. Vaccaro!

[@angelaeniola2513]

What a great movie and amazing man.❤️

[@laurenadams6704]

Luv to hear from person more than seeing a movie

[@gr8st2323]

Michael Jeffery Jordan is the greatest athlete to have ever played sports

[@eamano8474]

He might be but not the greatest sportsman. That's messi

[@patrickdupiton8953]

​@@eamano8474 Messi? Messi didn't start this marketing that every sport person is getting right now .Jordan started

[@eamano8474]

@patrickdupiton8953 from a sporting sense I mean. Jordan or Ronaldo could be the greatest athletes as in jump the highest or longest whereas messi is the greatest sportsman because he's the best at the most popular sport so it's obvious

[@jenkericj]

@@patrickdupiton8953 Bruce Jenner! Joking Ali, Jordan, Jenner. Brady.

[@ScottADunn]

Sonny made the best signing ever in the history of the NBA. The Bulls didn't even make a greater signing. I think that Matt Damon did a fantastic job with that movie and it's one of those rare movies where I feel like they actually stayed true to the spirit of what was happening at that time in history.

[@jayemz7384]

History of sports mate

[@kennethdanzy3925]

This is an awesome story!

[@David-vf7if]

Can’t wait to see the movie

[@stevem2323]

It's fucking brilliant.

[@charwan8286]

That is one why MJ is the goat... think one player about shoes only...who had great history before going big...

[@patkorie]

Now I'm super interested to see AIR afrer this interview.

[@dh-c1717]

I’m not that much of a basketball fan and neither a sneaker head. I’m a middle aged white Brit. I’ve seen it twice, it’s fantastic for many reasons.

[@patkorie]

@@dh-c1717 Oh okay

[@jayscribe7547]

Can't wait to see the movie

[@johantrenier1685]

Watching this as a lifelong salesman, this is the way the best deals go. Sonny, threw out the formula and spoke from his heart. That’s what broke through.

[@gamecocks1150]

When your potential buyer/s trust you it is a deal. I sold cars for years and i was starving. I quit with the salesman videos and the cliche BS and started being honest and sometimes brutally. I saw the reaction from them very quickly so my sales started to grow quite a bit. Luck would have it that a customer liked my honesty, delivery and made me an offer where he worked. I have not sold a car since a week after that meeting. My life has changed in so many ways because i did'nt follow the script.

[@johantrenier1685]

@@gamecocks1150 that’s the way it rolls, stop the bullshite, congrats. 👍

[@gamecocks1150]

@@johantrenier1685 Thank you, it changed everything.

[@gugy68]

That was a cool movie and I did not know the entire story and details. Amazing visionaries in MJ’s mom, Sunny and Phil knight.

[@balltalkdeep]

this is fascinating

[@denniseudela411]

Only the overwhelming persona of the True GOAT can inspire, activate, & organize the execution & realization of such a movie and create a dramatic and feel-great proportional reaction from the audience.

[@paulsantos914]

Sonny was a Visionary!

[@deespearman]

Ik everything about this story and it gave me chills seeing it play out bc it was history. But I was watching and I kept saying Sonny better have like a billion bc he’s the one that believed first.

[@eliseoalvarado4227]

Need to see this movie

[@afrikasoulchild]

Where is the full interview?

[@RG32107]

What a legend

[@redman072980]

Sneaker head here...I'd just like to thank Sonny, Deloris, 'Shoe Dog' and Jordan (🐐) for creating an industry that has me filling up my closet with new colorways year after year. 😂👟👟👟👟

[@shauncobbs6155]

Love it

[@DavidKitchen-SoWhat]

Wow it was Mom idea 💡 that made him what he is today. Amazing

[@johantrenier1685]

Great movie.

[@nlabanok]

I hear people today talk about the college version of MJ when they say things like " yeah, he was ok but no more unique or special than a dozen other players each year in college ball". I was at an ACC school when MJ was at UNC and I can tell you people who say that were clueless or had no idea what they were talking about. We marked our calendars months in advance (more than we did than even Len Bias at UMd), but we marked our calendars not about UNC or Dean Smith but about seeing this Jordan kid up close....just to see his next world athleticism and innovation in how he approached the game and good lord, what move we'd never seen before that he might unveil in the game against our school. Could we have predicted EVERYTHING that MJ became -- of course not -- but if you knew and followed college basketball back in the mid 80's, you knew he was special x 100.

[@athens_1psvr31]

I have to say that I have a similar ability in seeing talent early. Usually it takes one time setting them play. My list is distinguished also, but I don’t follow any college sports.

[@johncambridge7181]

Mjs mom is so smart

[@irissanders7487]

Yep......she is a quiet smart woman!

[@halisherry2196]

Legendary 👌👍👍

[@madterps]

Gotta tip my hat off to one of the greatest ever in the sneaker game. This man not only signed MJ, he also signed Kobe to Adidas.

[@befreetv354]

I buy Nike products since 20 years ago...I still do and most probably will do it all my life ahead.....you may consider I am a ,,fan,,...I would say I am a Nike,s Associate ! The Movie is Amazing ! Its a piece of human History....thats what it is !

[@claradeboer231]

When did this interview take place?

[@Danimal77]

Sonny is so sharp for 84 years old.

[@drew_lg2132]

Was rewatching the last dance and of course falk tries to make it seem like he was the one who was responsible for it. He said he told Jordan to sign with Nike even tho he knew he wanted adidas, told nike they need to offer jordan a % of the revenue, etc. What a clown lmao

[@lonnellgrigsby1367]

I wish Felipe Lopez would have listened to Sonny V back in the Day.

[@user-vp5xo5ve8h]

Great moviw

[@pramodkumar-rz7bl]

Raise your hands if you are here after AIR movie

[@yesmanyrangel9328]

Sonny importance to shaker culture is understated

[@vonscales1]

Finally getting the credit he deserves!

[@b1t633k]

Sonny Vaccaro, the Father of Sneaker Culture.

[@giovannib2663]

Legend

[@etheldingleberry8075]

I look at Sonny Vaccaro and immediately think Matt Damon.

[@snaggs107]

Too many reasons why MJ is the 🐐

[@ejpemoney6984]

Str8 legend

[@Nico-vn8uq]

This man deserves to always be rich. According to the movie he took a big risk and it definitely paid off

[@penprop01]

Sonny’s the goat

[@srikanta80]

Mom,s always make the best decisions for their son. It was best decision for Nike and Michael.

[@xxxremastered3264]

💯💯

[@tonycastillo5005]

If Michael jordan would've signed with Adidas there's no way in hell i would've worn his shoes. Nike and jordan go hand in hand. Sonny Vaccaro is a genius for bringing mj to Nike. Makes you wonder why they fired sonny after bringing the most famous athlete ever to Nike. Not to mention the billions of dollars Nike has made off the jordan brand.

[@mariaantoniou7090]

Really???? They showed us that they had a really strong bond..... Why?

[@John-ct9zs]

I’m not sure I believe that. Jordan would have likely made Adidas as cool as Nike became.

[@jrbbbb2145]

The thing is, the main reason why the brand is so popular is bc of jordan plays, not nike.. You could put him in any brand and it'd still as big as "air jordan"... that's why they say he "saved" the nike, not the otherwise.

[@Mahatheyew]

Nike and Jordan only go hand in hand because Jordan signed with Nike.

[@Devin3373]

Some people in sneaker culture have no idea how much they owe to Sonny.

[@ccwoodlands1565]

Ok, we got it. You’re point is made. Next topic.

[@Jason-si8iu]

By giving the Jordans a cut ownership it guaranteed the high standard

[@bosshova23]

GOAT!

[@stephenmccollum1391]

MJ said it was George Raveling who needed to be in the movie.

[@lopezc0829]

Facts mj change basketball and marketing

[@jaywilldoit]

I wonder who brought Dylan mulvaney to Nike that changed Nike forever, undoing all of this man’s good work.

[@befreetv354]

Nike is The Biggest Company in the Sport Clothing and Footwear Industry in the whole world....! As americans you should be proud of that ! Cheers from Romania

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Funny, Clyde Frazier wore puma but they didnt mass advertised him nor the sneaker Converse maybe a decade later after Clyde started with Dr. J and as the leading spokes person for the sneaker along withagiv, Bird, and Isiah Thomas but they too didnt have the vision

[@pheeqzie]

It wasn’t the fact that she asked for the company that was the biggest thing for me, as big as it was, it was the fact she believed her son could deliver their side of the deal😎😎😎

[@olbapoli4074]

A flim about meetings lol

[@Lovelyone1]

The movie really was surprisingly good!!! Very impressive…and this is coming from a movie snob!!!

[@daydreamhero1374]

Nike's gonna sell like hotcakes even more..imma cop one myself..les go!

[@Vincent-im9kg]

NO Sonny (with ALL do Respect for His lifelong life giving contributions to The 🏀Game) didn't introduce Jordan to Nike. The Black Coach from USC did (forgot His name).

[@DLOOT11]

George Raveling is his name. And he’s in the movie. So relax, he gave him credit.

[@darrylnelson05]

Raveling was also an assistant coach for 84 Olympic basketball team.

[@KarlPostMalone]

and “H” was one of the ONLY reasons why his mother felt comfortable with having her son with Nike.

[@jameslayco9]

Jordan saved Nike 👏

[@chrisharrison83]

DAVID CARRADINE RED FOOT!!

[@darrylnelson05]

I wore Nike before Jordan. Air Force 1's were my favorite in high school and college. Jordan was still wearing Converse. I thought Sonny meet Jordan at the ABCD basketball camp.

[@jasonmacfarlane7885]

Really. Did you see the poster in the movie saying Air Force 1 coming soon?

[@darrylnelson05]

@jasonmacfarlane7885 What does that have to do with me wearing Air Force 1's in high school when Jordan was wearing Converse in college?

[@jasonmacfarlane7885]

@@darrylnelson05 how long were you wearing them for? They came out in 82’ AJ1 in 85’ AF1 isn’t a basketball shoe so Jordan wouldn’t have wore it anyways.

[@darrylnelson05]

@@jasonmacfarlane7885 Duh I was in high school in 82. Jordan was still wearing Converse in 82. College basketball teams were wearing Nike in the late 70”s and 80”s. Jordan didn’t until he got a shoe deal. Jordan didn’t influence me to wear Nike because I was wearing them before him!

[@jasonmacfarlane7885]

@@darrylnelson05 oh I see, you were a trend setter, ahead of the curve. You must have been so cool then.

[@miklac90]

Kanye asked for the same but Nike said nah not for you

[@steven3335]

And they were right 😂😂😂 Kanye was/is a brand risk.

[@TAHZ876]

MJ Goat

[@gabrielb.7730]

D goat... mj save nike... he is the Goat

[@jamesb2714]

This should say *spoiler alert*

[@Harrizist]

Yup Michael opened doors 🚪 for other athletes for marketing

[@xtianZ5000]

MJ is the GOAT!

[@suckafish2754]

Shouldn’t he be wearing some Limited edition Sonny Jordans

[@JohnDoe-zr8pc]

Jordan’s mom: My son gets a part of the company for you to get him. Ja MORAN’S mom: I’m gonna call my son & have him threaten you in public. See the difference having good and grounded parents makes?