The dramatic representation of Sonny Vaccaro’s discovery of Michael Jordan’s unmatched talent in Ben Affleck’s film, AIR, varies from the actual events, says screenwriter Alex Convery. However, this divergence illustrates the art of refining and dramatizing real-life incidents for cinema.
AIR delves into the iconic partnership between Nike and Michael Jordan, established in 1984. Portraying the role of Sonny Vaccaro, Matt Damon brilliantly brings to life the man responsible for persuading both Michael Jordan and his mother, Deloris, to choose Nike for a sneaker deal over competitors Adidas and Converse. Simultaneously, Affleck, apart from directing, also embodies Nike co-founder Philip K. Knight on screen.
A standout sequence in the film features Vaccaro repeatedly watching a VHS recording of Jordan’s match-winning shot during the 1982 NCAA Championship. Over multiple viewings, Vaccaro identifies the uniqueness of Jordan, a freshman from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, receiving the ball over a senior player, combined with his undeniable fearlessness. This revelation propels Vaccaro to allocate Nike’s entire $250,000 basketball shoe budget to Jordan, sidelining other potentially good players.
But the on-screen version differs from actual events, Convery reveals in the MovieMaker Podcast. In reality, Vaccaro was present at the 1982 championship match, witnessing Jordan’s game-changing shot. Convery says, “Reflecting on the shot two years later during Nike’s player selection, Vaccaro remembered the distinctiveness of that shot, especially since Jordan was just a freshman.”
Yet, to maintain the film’s pacing and avoid jarring flashback sequences, Convery chose to depict Damon’s character engrossed in the VHS footage. He explains, “Using a straightforward flashback might have felt out of place. We aimed for a more imaginative approach, encapsulating everything Vaccaro felt about that shot in that moment.”
Interestingly, the movie’s reference to Linwood Robinson, a player from UNC Chapel Hill who declared his intention to play for North Carolina alongside Michael Jordan, was Matt Damon’s suggestion. While Robinson garnered more media attention than Jordan on that day, his fame was short-lived as he transferred out two years later. This cinematic detail highlights Vaccaro’s foresight and the general oversight of Jordan’s potential.
Convery recalls, “Matt’s inclusion of Robinson was ingenious. It subtly drives home the point of how Vaccaro perceived Jordan’s latent talent.” Emphasizing the genuine sentiment behind the story, Convery adds, “When asked about his confidence in Jordan, Vaccaro would attribute it to that game-winning shot, saying it gave him an inexplicable feeling of certainty.”
AIR is currently available for streaming on Prime Video. This article has been revised from its original version published during the film’s theatrical release.