Air
Movie, 2023, The 2020s, Set in Nike signs Michael Jordan
Air is #32 of 35 in release order and #32 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
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.
Air recap
Air (2023) follows Nike basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro as he bets the company's struggling basketball division on signing the rookie Michael Jordan in 1984. Ben Affleck directs and co-stars in the comedy-drama about basketball and business. Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) is told by chief executive Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) and marketing head Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) to find spokesmen with a small budget split among several players. Watching tape, Sonny decides the whole budget should go to Jordan, who prefers Adidas and Converse. He breaks protocol by going around Jordan's agent David Falk (Chris Messina) and visiting the family in North Carolina, where he wins over Deloris Jordan (Viola Davis). Designer Peter Moore (Matthew Maher) builds a shoe named the Air Jordan. Sonny prepares a pitch for the family's visit to the Beaverton headquarters, and Knight agrees to put the whole $250,000 behind it. Air comes between King Richard and Challengers in this list.
Air ending explained
Air ends with Nike giving Jordan a share of every Air Jordan sold, breaking industry practice.Sonny's pitch wins the family over, but Adidas matches the money and adds a car. Deloris calls to say Michael will sign with Nike only if he earns a percentage of every shoe, and Knight agrees. Closing text says the Air Jordan made $162 million in its first year. Jordan himself is never shown in full; the film keeps his face out of frame.
Post-credits scenes
No. Air has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Air
Air is streaming on Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Amazon MX Player in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Where it fits
- Release order: after King Richard, before Challengers.
- Chronological order: after King Richard, before Challengers.
Cast
- Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro
- Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser
- Ben Affleck as Phil Knight
- Chris Messina as David Falk
- Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan
- Julius Tennon as James Jordan
- Damian Young as Michael Jordan
- Chris Tucker as Howard White
- Matthew Maher as Peter Moore
- Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler
- Barbara Sukowa as Kathy Dassler
- Jay Mohr as John Fisher
Directed by Ben Affleck.