Discover the game-changing partnership between a then undiscovered Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and culture with the Air Jordan brand.
Matt Damon
Sonny Vaccaro
Ben Affleck
Phil Knight
Jason Bateman
Rob Strasser
Chris Messina
David Falk
Viola Davis
Deloris Jordan
Julius Tennon
James Jordan
Chris Tucker
Howard White
Matthew Maher
Peter Moore
Gustaf Skarsgård
Horst Dassler
Damian Young
Michael Jordan
Barbara Sukowa
Kathy Dassler
Jay Mohr
John Fisher
Joel Gretsch
John O'Neil
Marlon Wayans
George Raveling
Dan Bucatinsky
Richard
Michael O'Neill
Joe Dean
Asanté Deshon
7-Eleven Clerk
Billy Smith
Bill
Al Madrigal
Tim
Jackson Damon
Stan
Jessica Green
Katrina Sainz
Gabrielle Bourne
Tiffany
Joshua Funk
Yes Man
Andy Hirsch
Robinson
Tami Jordan
Sports Book Clerk
Jeff Cook
Jeff
Albert Stroth
Al
Mackenzie Rayne
Susan
Jerry Plummer
Waiter
Haylee Baldwin
Hostess (uncredited)
Ari Davis
Restaurant Guest (uncredited)
Martina De Leon Diaz
Basketball Mom (uncredited)
Ure Egbuho
Nike Lab Technician (uncredited)
Dempsey Gibson
Parent (uncredited)
Geoffrey Gould
Workshop Worker (uncredited)
Richard Allan Jones
Nike Staff (uncredited)
Tom Papa
Stu Inman (uncredited)
LeChristopher Williams
Runner (uncredited)
Michael Jordan
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Deloris Jordan
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Barack Obama
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Director
Ben Affleck
Writer
Alex Convery
April 14, 2023
7
Matt Damon is on strong form here as the out-of-shape Nike basketball executive Sonny Vaccaro. At the usual routine selection meeting at the start of the season he realises that their paltry $250k budget isn't going to enable them to sign anyone with enough impact to lift his company from a distant third behind Converse and Adidas in the market. A bit of lateral thinking and some convincing of marketing VP Rob Strasser (a good effort from Jason Bateman, too) takes him before the bare-footed, grape coloured Porsche owning, Phil Knight - the CEO (Ben Affleck) with an off-the-wall plan to put all of their eggs in one basket and go for the upcoming Michael Jordan. Scepticism abounds, not least because the man's agent (Chris Messina) makes it clear that Jordan has no interest at all in signing with them. Vaccaro is not a man to take no for an answer and what now ensues demonstrates how his unorthodox methods, his honesty, determination and his ability to coax, cajole and persuade managed to create something that is not just the stuff of sporting history, but of visionary commercial history too. A few potent appearances from Viola Davis illustrate that Vaccarro was not the only shrewd individual at the negotiating table and there are some lovely, almost head banging, appearances from Messina as the deal edges ever closer (or does it?). Affleck also appears infrequently, but he is effective - indeed his one set piece scene with the Jordans is actually quite cringeworthy to watch. It's a well known story so the plot hasn't any jeopardy. That said, though, Affleck manages to create a sense of will they/won't they that sustains this characterful and entertaining drama for just short of two hours and puts the engaging dynamic between Damon and Bateman to good use. The script is quickly paced, frequently pithy and has a natural flow to it that - save for Chris Tucker's portrayal of Howard White which I found just a bit too Jesse Jackson for me - all works well. I am not sure this is a film you will remember down the line, but I did enjoy it.