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The 6 Best Michael Jordan Documentaries to Watch Right Now

As the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan’s life and career has been well documented since the outset. With documentaries about him released before he’d even won an NBA championship, there’s a lot to navigate through. From his early college years and promising start in the NBA, his first three-peat and subsequent retirement, followed by a stint playing professional baseball and his comeback to the NBA, before landing a second three-peat with the Chicago Bulls, nobody’s ever had a career quite like Mike.

Spanning 30 years, these Michael Jordan documentaries range in style and content, with some aging better than others. And since we’re sticking to docs we haven’t included Space Jam , although the film does bear similarities to Jordan’s real life.

Check out these six Michael Jordan documentaries.

Michael Jordan: Come Fly With Me (1989)

The first documentary made about His Airness, Michael Jordan: Come Fly With Me shows us Jordan before any of his six NBA championships. Released in 1989, this somewhat cheesy production traces Jordan’s early career – from his initial baseball aspirations as a child to being dropped from his high school basketball team, as well as playing for North Carolina in college and his early years with the Chicago Bulls. It even features footage of Jordan’s golf game, which certainly looks strong by all accounts.

Narrated in a classically ‘80s television voiceover, Come Fly With Me might seem like an impersonal foray into Jordan’s career, but interview segments with Michael as well as members of his family provide an intimate look into his life as a rising NBA star.

Michael Jordan’s Playground (1990)

Released one year after Come Fly With Me , Michael Jordan’s Playground appears quite similar at the outset (thanks to the same production company), however the film’s thorough breakdown of Jordan as a player makes it necessary viewing for any fan. Jordan himself as well as fellow NBA players and sports commentators discuss everything from MJ’s offense game, excellence at clutch plays, his growth as a team player, pre-game ritual, and player and team match-ups that he finds most challenging. Interwoven is a kind of sweet narrative plot line where Jordan mentors a young kid who’s been cut from the high school team – just like Mike.

Come for the technical sports analysis, stay for the killer soundtrack and a strange yet satisfying music video which showcases Jordan’s dance moves.

Michael Jordan: Above & Beyond (1996)

Above & Beyond covers Jordan’s life in the pivotal years when he won his third consecutive NBA championship, his father’s untimely murder and his subsequent decision to retire from basketball, the move into playing professional baseball, and finally his comeback to the NBA. The film tackles some heavy subjects, but what stands out is Michael Jordan’s honest and moving commentary discussing everything from how he’s grown as a player and person in the wake of his father’s death, as well as his own take on why he left and came back. You’ll recognize the format from the other Hardwood Classics Jordan docs (NB: there are a lot), but the level of access and collaboration with Jordan and other players is second to none. MJ confirms he’s a natural on camera here, making the move to acting in Space Jam all the more understandable.

ESPN’s 30 for 30: Jordan Rides the Bus attempts to cover Jordan’s baseball career and this period as well, however without any original footage of Jordan speaking on the matter, it lacks the gravitas that Above & Beyond delivers, regardless of its sometimes tired narrated sports doc format.

Michael Jordan to the Max (2000)

Narrated by Laurence Fishburne, Michael Jordan to the Max was an IMAX documentary released at the turn of the century. It’s probably the most well-rounded documentary made about the G.O.A.T. so far, focusing on much of his career especially the Bulls’ 1998 championship — Jordan’s sixth and final one. By this point Jordan had experienced so much, both personally and professionally, and this documentary does justice to his maturation as a player and person in general.

Slick production, great commentary from Jordan and his peers, and a satisfying look at the entire scope of MJ’s career—from high school to retirement and baseball, through to his comeback and subsequent championships—if you’re going to watch one Jordan documentary then make it this one.

Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1 (2018)

While not strictly related to Michael Jordan as a player, Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1 gives us an in-depth look at his signature sneakers—the Air Jordan 1—and the surrounding controversy and legacy they’ve created. As any basketball fan or sneaker head knows, these are no ordinary shoes; they’ve inspired a culture all of their own. And when considered in tandem with the greatest basketball player of all time, there’s a lot of history to unpack here.

Spike Lee, who’s contributed greatly to the AJ1 legacy thanks to key film cameos and a series of iconic ads for Air Jordan in the ‘80s, features in the documentary. Other notable commenters include designer Dapper Dan, Ronnie Fieg, Tinker Hatfield, Mark Wahlberg, DJ Khaled, Carmelo Anthony, and the list goes on. Watch on Hulu .

The Last Dance (2020)

The Last Dance takes a look at Michael Jordan's legendary career, more specifically his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997 and 1998. The film includes exclusive footage courtesy of an all-access pass to the Bulls, in addition to interviews with those closest to Jordan, such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson.

The 10-episode series originally aired on ESPN in the United States, as Netflix then streamed the installments internationally the following day. It is also slated to come to Netflix in the US.

To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, follow @Highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, check our sneaker release date calendar and subscribe to our sneaker chatbot on Facebook to receive lightning quick updates to your inbox.

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The 12 Best documentaries about michael jordan

Aug 6, 2023 | Best Of

When it comes to basketball legends, Michael Jordan is at the top of list. His extraordinary performances on the court have made him a household name for generations. But beyond his impressive accomplishments, there are multiple documentaries that explore his life and career with greater depth and insight into what drives one of the greatest athletes of all time. From in-depth interviews with Jordan’s friends, family members, and former coaches to a behind-the-scenes look of his famous commercials and iconic moments in basketball history, these documentaries provide an unparalleled view into the life of Michael Jordan. Here are some of the best documentaries about the man that changed basketball forever.

1. Michael Jordan – Air Jordan

The name Michael Jordan has become synonymous with greatness. From the moment he stepped onto a basketball court, this 6’6″ superstar set records and blazed trails that would not be challenged or surpassed for years to come. Michael Jordan’s incredible skill on the court is what earned him the nickname “Air Jordan”. His gravity-defying dunks, spectacular speed, and seemingly effortless agility made him the most celebrated athlete of his generation. Throughout his career, Jordan cemented himself as one of the greatest basketball players in history. His impact on the game was unparalleled and he was instrumental in leading the Bulls to a total of six championships during his tenure there. His Airness also had an effect off the court, becoming one of the most influential and celebrated athletes in history. His face graced countless magazine covers, his name was featured on merchandising lines from clothing to video games, and his style became the blueprint for future generations of basketball stars.

2. Michael Jordan – ESPN Basketball Documentary

One of the greatest to ever play on a basketball court, Michael Jordan has been an iconic figure in the sport for more than two decades. Now, ESPN takes viewers back to some of his most memorable games and moments with their latest documentary, Michael Jordan: Unfinished Business . The comprehensive look at the career of one of sports’ greatest legends takes a deep dive into both the highs and lows of Jordan’s career. From his three-peat championships in the 90s to his brief foray into baseball and eventual return, fans get an intimate look at the man behind the legend. Interviews with former teammates, coaches, and other basketball figures provide insight that only those who played alongside him can give. They share stories of his intense drive and competitiveness, as well as the locker-room hijinks.

3. Michael Jordan: Above & Beyond

From his iconic dunks to the “Air Jordan” logo, Michael Jordan is remembered as one of the greatest basketball players in history. But behind the show stopping moves was a man who dedicated himself to perfecting every aspect of his game. He could do it all — score, rebound, pass, defend — and he set the bar for excellence. Jordan was more than a great player; he was an entertainer, motivator and leader. He inspired his teammates with passionate speeches in the locker room, before games and at halftime — never letting them forget their goal of winning championships. That relentless drive to win pushed him to practice harder than anyone else on the team, and to practice the most difficult shots so he could master them.

4. Michael Jordan – Air Jordan

The career of Michael Jordan is legendary. From his electrifying dunks, to his stomach-churning buzzer beaters and championship winning moments, he truly was a force of nature on the court. Now, with Joseph Vincent’s original documentary, you can re-live all these moments in one place. All of Michael Jordan’s greatest achievements are encapsulated in this documentary, from his all-star moments to his finals victories. Re-live the career of one of the greatest players to ever set foot on a court with this one-of-a-kind documentary. Be transported back in time and experience what it was like to watch Michael Jordan take over the game.

5. Michael Jordan Leaves The Audience SPEECHLESS ― One Of The Most Inspiring Speeches Ever

Every single day, Michael Jordan is here to inspire and motivate you to do the best in your life. A famously successful businessman and retired professional basketball player, he has a powerful story that can help you become the person you’ve always dreamed of becoming. Soak in his words and let them sink deep into your soul. His motivational speech will provide you with the courage and strength you need to become successful. His inspiring words will help you break free of any limiting beliefs and embrace a life full of possibilities. Believe in yourself, never give up, and take action! These are all key elements that Michael Jordan encourages us to practice every day. He reminds us that failure is just part of the journey, so don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things.

6. Encore: The Story of Michael Jordan’s REAL Last Dance

Michael Jordan’s career is one of the greatest successes that sport has ever seen. With six titles with the Chicago Bulls, he became an NBA icon and changed basketball forever. But what happened after his 1997 retirement? The Encore Documentary tells the true story of Michael Jordan’s Last Dance – his comeback from retirement and his two seasons with the Washington Wizards.

7. 7 Stories That Prove Michael Jordan Was Not Human

Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the courts. His unparalleled skill and dedication to the sport have made him an icon in his own right, and stories about his feats on the court continue to be retold even after all these years.

8. Michael Jordan (The Greatest Player of All Time) NBA Legends

Michael Jordan, the G.O.A.T., is a basketball legend who rose to prominence in the NBA and beyond. He was an athlete of unprecedented skill and finesse, amassing 6 championship rings in his career, making him one of the most successful players ever seen on a court. His popularity extended out of sport, becoming one of the most recognisable people in the world and earning billions from his brand. But, Jordan was more than just an athlete – he was a symbol of excellence and determination, inspiring generations of players to pursue their dreams. His legacy will live on long after he leaves the court for the final time. Such is his greatness that even now it’s almost impossible to compare him with any other player; Larry Bird might be the only one to come close. Jordan was a true icon of the game and his name will never be forgotten.

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9. Michael Jordan’s Top 60 Career Plays

It’s time to take a quick look at one of the greatest basketball legends of all-time: Michael Jordan. In honor of his 60th birthday, we’re counting down MJ’s top 60 career plays – get ready to be amazed! From iconic dunks and buzzer-beaters to clutch jump shots and mind-blowing 3 pointers, there are too many amazing highlights to count. Whether he was gliding through the air with a dunk or draining an improbable shot from beyond the arc, Michael Jordan left us all in awe of his greatness. So sit back and enjoy as we relive some of MJ’s greatest moments! We guarantee you’ll find yourself watching these classic plays over and over again. Happy 60th birthday Michael Jordan! No list of Michael Jordan’s greatest plays would be complete without his famed “The Shot”. With just five seconds left on the clock, MJ drained a buzzer-beater over Craig Ehlo to send the Cleveland Cavaliers packing in 1989. An iconic moment that will never be forgotten, The Shot is widely regarded as one of the most memorable moments in NBA history.

10. Michael Jordan: The Wizard Years

With an impeccable sense of style, a flare for the dramatic, and a magnetism that was unparalleled on the court, Michael Jordan became an icon of success. His career spanned two decades and included several winning streaks and MVP awards. But it was during his time with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s that he truly became the soul of basketball. Although Jordan was always an incredible player, it was during this time that he rose to legendary status. He won five NBA championships with the Bulls from 1991-1998 and four MVP awards during this same span. In 1993, he famously scored over 40 points in four consecutive playoff games against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. His ability to lead his team right when they needed it most was unmatched.

11. Everytime Michael Jordan “Took It Personal”

Michael Jordan was the king of the court. His trash talk was legendary, and it’s impossible to forget the many battles that took place both on and off the court. There are countless stories of how his opponents backed down when they stepped into a verbal altercation with him. One particular video stands out as a perfect example of this phenomenon: two unsuspecting players thought they could get the better of him, only to be met with his razor-sharp wit and an unforgettable lesson. Even today, this video is a reminder never to underestimate Jordan’s incredible intelligence, charisma and ability to turn any situation into a win for himself. Jordan’s legendary trash talking skills weren’t just limited to the court either; he was also known for using his sharp mouth to take down opponents in the media. His infamous “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots” quote is a perfect example of how he could make even the most difficult situation into an opportunity to win over fans and opponents alike.

12. Michael Jordan talks Luc Longley, Chicago Bulls, The Last Dance

Michael Jordan is an NBA legend, and his time with the Chicago Bulls was the stuff of dreams. Many people have wondered what it was like to be on a team led by MJ himself—what kind of leader he was, and how that leadership contributed to their success. ABC’s Australian Story recently spoke to Michael Jordan for insight on this topic, as well as his remarkable career. When asked what it was like to lead the Bulls, Jordan spoke candidly about how he strived to bring the team together and push them to be their best. He went on to say that although his leadership style could occasionally be seen as “carnivorous”, in his view, this approach worked well for the team.

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• How <i>Air</i> Tells the True Story of Michael Jordan’s Nike Shoe Deal

How Air Tells the True Story of Michael Jordan’s Nike Shoe Deal

W hen it comes to athletes, few figures loom larger in the collective imagination than NBA legend, Michael Jordan . Over the course of his storied career and beyond, Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time , has also been hailed as an icon of marketing, thanks to lucrative endorsement deals—chief among them, his longtime partnership with Nike , whose gargantuan impact in the sports shoe industry is largely attributed to their initial deal with Jordan.

The trailblazing relationship between Jordan and Nike is the focus of a new film, Air , which releases in theaters on April 5. Directed by and co-starring Ben Affleck , who plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight , the movie centers on how Sunny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a sports marketing executive, signed Jordan to his first-ever shoe contract with Nike, in an unprecedented deal that would change the face of sports marketing and athlete equity in endorsement deals forever. Neither Jordan nor Nike were the household names they are now at the time of the signing in 1984. At the time, Jordan was a soon-to-be NBA rookie ranked third in the draft, while Nike was a veritable underdog in the world of sports shoes, known more for its running sneakers than flashy basketball kicks. The road to their partnership was complex, with Jordan’s mother Deloris (Viola Davis) playing an influential role in the life-changing negotiations.

For Air screenwriter Alex Convery, the humble origin story of one of the greatest sports deals of all time provided a wealth of real-life material to draw inspiration from. “It’s hard to imagine now a world where there was skepticism about how well Michael Jordan would transition into the NBA or a world in which Nike was destined to be just a running apparel company,” he tells TIME. “They obviously entered a different stratosphere because of the Jordan deal. We all know how it ended, but to be able to look at how we got there was very compelling.”

Here’s what to know about Michael Jordan’s legendary Nike signing and how it inspired Air .

Sonny Vaccaro and Michael Jordan’s relationship

Much of Air centers on the lengths that John Paul Vincent “Sonny” Vaccaro, a sports marketing executive at Nike, will go to to sign 21-year-old NBA rookie Michael Jordan to a shoe deal with the company. In the film, Vaccaro, a former high school basketball tournament organizer, is in charge of helping to develop the fledgling basketball division at Nike by identifying and recruiting top talent in the league for shoe deals and endorsements. While others on the marketing team suggest doing multiple deals with other players, Vaccaro makes the case that they should put all their resources towards signing Jordan, banking on him becoming an NBA star. With this as his goal, Vaccaro sets out to convince the player—and more importantly, his mother, Deloris, that Nike is the right brand to partner with for a shoe.

Convery says he saw Vaccaro as a captivating figure, an unexpected and unsung hero of Nike.

“He wasn’t the CEO of Nike,” Convery says, noting that he spoke with Vaccaro himself while polishing the screenplay. “He was this guy that didn’t even really have a title at the company, what he did was very kind of opaque and hard to put on a resume, but he was this really compelling character.”

In real life, Vaccaro did architect the deal with Jordan. In an interview with Dan Patrick Show , the former sports marketing executive said that it was no easy feat, taking more than three months to come to the agreement. “The idea for me was to help convince him to believe in this young company to do something that they’ve never done before. That was the chore,” he said. “He had his own mind. He had his idea of what he wanted to do and he didn’t want to go with Nike, that’s for sure. So it was my greatest journey.”

Read more: ESPN’s New Michael Jordan Documentary Is Exactly What We Need Right Now. Here’s How They Made It

Jordan, for his part, contends that it wasn’t Vaccaro who persuaded him to join Nike, but rather George Raveling (played in the film by Marlon Wayans), a former NBA player and college basketball coach who coached Jordan in the Olympics; in an interview with USA Today , he credited Raveling for kicking off his longtime Nike partnership.

“Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling,” he said. “George Raveling was with me on the 1984 Olympics team (as an assistant coach under Bob Knight). He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. You’ve got to try.’”

How Deloris Jordan influenced the legacy of the Jordan partnership and athlete endorsements

In the film, Nike is portrayed as a novice company of sorts, suffering from some serious growing pains after going public, which Knight believes can be solved if they can tap into the basketball market. While the brand was known for their running shoes and apparel, they lacked the athletic prestige or cool factor of companies like Converse, then the leading basketball shoe, or Adidas, a respected international name when it came to pop culture, fashion, and sports—which is why their contract with Jordan was so significant.

Signing with Nike wasn’t Jordan’s first choice. But his parents, especially his mother, Deloris, convinced him that considering the Nike deal could be more beneficial to him in the long run; because the company wasn’t as well-known in the basketball space, he could be a major star for them and leverage his talents for a better deal.

“In all honesty, I never wore Nike shoes until I signed with Nike,” Jordan said in an interview with USA Today . “I was a big Adidas, Converse guy coming out of college. Then actually my parents made me go out to (Nike’s headquarters) to hear their proposal.”

Read more: We Don’t Deserve Ben Affleck

By all accounts, the initial Jordan and Nike deal was unprecedented. In addition to the $2.5 million, five-year contract (more than double what Adidas offered him) that he signed, Jordan also received 25% royalties of all shoes sold with his likeness—an equity push by Deloris that would change how athletes approached endorsement deals for years to come.

Why Michael Jordan isn’t in ‘Air’

Although it would be easy to assume that a film about the watershed shoe deal between Michael Jordan and Nike would center the NBA legend, in Air, the character of Jordan is rarely on-screen. Portrayed by actor Damian Young, Jordan doesn’t make an appearance until the final scenes of the film—and even then, his face isn’t shown, with almost exclusively shots of his back.

In an interview with CBS , Affleck said that the decision to keep the character of Jordan faceless in the film was because of the outsize and omnipresent real-life influence of the actual Michael Jordan.

“The minute I show you somebody and tell you, ‘Hey, that’s Michael Jordan,’” he said. “You’re just going to know it isn’t.”

For Convery, the seeming lack of Jordan in a film about his sports contract was intentional.

“I was just very conscious from the beginning that I didn’t want this to be a Michael Jordan biopic because it’s not really my story to tell,” he said.

Read more: Michael Jordan says There’s ‘No Question’ He Could Have Beaten LeBron James One-On-One

While Jordan himself does not appear in the film, actual footage of him is used to great effect, especially in a pivotal scene where a clip is played of the famous NCAA championship-winning jump shot he made as a freshman at UNC. And according to Convery, although Jordan was not involved in the making of the film, he did speak with Affleck ahead of filming to weigh in on the story, including helping land Davis as Deloris.

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The True Story behind the Michael Jordan Movie Air

The Ben Affleck-directed film Air depicts the origins of the Air Jordan shoe line, a huge gamble for Nike that became an enormous success.

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Nike’s historic partnership with Michael Jordan is one of the greatest marketing success stories in history, but at the time, it was considered a massive gamble. Basketball marketing strategies hadn’t been built around an individual player before, let alone a rookie who had yet to set foot on an NBA court.

Air , the new film directed by Ben Affleck , chronicles the origin story of the Air Jordan shoe line, which became a cultural icon and put the once-fledgling Nike company on the map. While accounts differ over who is most responsible for the partnership, Air focuses largely on Sonny Vaccaro, the Nike executive said to have first conceived the idea.

Matt Damon portrays Vaccaro in the film, while Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Jordan does not appear in the film but personally requested that Viola Davis play his mother, Deloris Jordan. The Air Jordan brand would not have come to be without her: Michael wasn’t even a fan of Nike before signing with them, and it was Deloris who convinced him to meet with the company.

Air is now in theaters. Before (or after) you see the film, here’s what you should know about how Air Jordans were really created.

Nike’s Struggles in the Shoe Industry

Nike was struggling prior to the Jordan deal, its stocks hitting a low in 1984 as the company lagged behind Reebok and Converse. Vaccaro, who had a wide network of contacts in the basketball world due to his past organizing of high school tournaments , had previously pitched the idea of an exclusive shoe line to Nike.

The proposal was rejected, but Nike’s Marketing Director Rob Strasser (played in the film by Jason Bateman ) was impressed with Vaccaro’s energy and connections and set him up with a budget to attract players and coaches for Nike testimonials. Vaccaro’s credibility further increased when he got a young Larry Bird to wear Nikes on the cover of Sports Illustrated .

Vaccaro’s vision for a shoe line was renewed when he watched Jordan lead the North Carolina Tar Heels to victory during the 1982 NCAA championship game. “Something happened in front of the world,” Vaccaro said, according to Roland Lazenby’s book Michael Jordan: The Life .

Vaccaro was convinced Jordan’s talent and charisma would make him a legend, and he wanted to build a shoe brand around him. Jordan, however, preferred Adidas and Converse at the time. “In all honesty, I never wore Nike shoes until I signed with Nike,” he told USA Today .

Seeing the Potential

At the time, basketball marketing strategies revolved around teams rather than players, and Vaccaro’s unorthodox proposal was considered risky. But Strasser saw the potential in it, and even though he didn’t know much about Jordan at the time, he believed in star power and thought future campaigns would indeed be built around individual athletes.

“Strasser was our five-star general, and I was ready to follow him into any fray, any fusillade,” Knight wrote in his memoir Shoe Dog . In the summer of 1984, Strasser had a meeting with Jordan’s agent, David Falk (played by Chris Messina in the film), with whom he had been acquainted for years.

Nike’s Creative Designer Peter Moore (played in the film by Matthew Maher) also participated in the brainstorming session, during which the name “Air Jordan” was first floated . Moore had sketched the logo for the brand before the meeting had even ended. The next step was to convince Jordan to sign off, and it would prove to be a challenge.

The first meetings between Jordan and Vaccaro were anything but harmonious. Jordan said he was barely familiar with Nike, and he was fixated on getting a car out of the deal. He wasn’t sold on Vaccaro, either , saying: “I’m not sure I want to have anything to do with such a shady guy.”

Still, the offer was unprecedented: Jordan would receive $2.5 million over five years , plus royalties on every shoe Nike sold, and he hadn’t even started his NBA career yet. “That contract was the biggest bet ever made,” wrote NSS Magazine .

Overcoming Michael Jordan’s Hesitations

It was ultimately Jordan’s mother, Deloris, who convinced her son to take the deal. Jordan wasn’t even sure he wanted to get on the plane for a big meeting with Nike until Deloris insisted he do so, according to NSS . During the meeting, Deloris did most of the talking. The only words Jordan spoke , after seeing the red and black shoes, was: “Red… the color of the devil.”

Deloris seemed particularly swayed when Vaccaro said Nike was going “all-in” on their son. “That’s exactly what I said to her, and I’m glad I did: We bet it all,” Vaccaro said, according to NSS . “I, myself, was betting my job, and Nike was betting on its future. It was an incredible situation.”

Even so, Jordan made a last-ditch effort to stay with his preferred brand Adidas, which was offering $100,000 a year compared to Nike’s $500,000. “I was very loyal,” Jordan said, according to Jason Coles’ book Golden Kicks: The Shoes that Changed Sport . “I went back to my Adidas contact and said, ‘This is the Nike contract. If you come anywhere close, I’ll sign with you guys.’”

Adidas declined, and Jordan signed with Nike. A potential snag arose when Jordan learned the NBA would fine him $5,000 per game if he wore the shoes, since the rules demanded all players wear similar footwear that matched team uniforms. Undeterred, Nike agreed to pay the fines and ended up benefiting from the publicity.

An Historic Success

The partnership proved to be an astronomical success. Sales of Air Jordans generated $126 million in the first year alone , shattering Nike’s target of $3 million in the first three years.

Nike became the premier brand for sports footwear, and Air Jordan became a cultural phenomenon that spawned dozens of models. Nike’s Jordan Brand continues to be lucrative. In 2022, it earned $5.1 billion and netted Jordan $256.1 million individually, which is more than double his career NBA salary earnings .

But there is disagreement today over who is truly responsible for the Air Jordan. Jordan said Vaccaro “likes to take credit,” but that it was marketing executive and former basketball player George Raveling (played in the film by Marlon Wayans ) that sold him on Nike, according to USA Today . Knight said Vaccaro helped but “wasn’t the MVP in that process,” instead pointing to Strasser and Moore.

As for Vaccaro, he has no hesitation in claiming the credit himself. “Phil Knight’s lying, Michael’s lying more than Phil, and Raveling is insane,” he told USA Today . “All three of them need to destroy me to live happily ever after. Everyone’s trying to rewrite history. It goes beyond Jordan. I am the savior of Nike.”

Colin McEvoy joined the Biography.com staff in 2023, and before that had spent 16 years as a journalist, writer, and communications professional. He is the author of two true crime books: Love Me or Else and Fatal Jealousy . He is also an avid film buff, reader, and lover of great stories.

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Michael Jordan: An American Hero

It starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nba It starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nba It starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nba

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