Nearly Missed Out on $1,500,000,000+ for a Red Mercedes, Billionaire Michael Jordan Ended Up Saving $188 Billion Worth Company

Published 04/06/2023, 12:30 PM EDT

“Air: Courting A Legend ” follows Sonny Vaccaro as he sets out on his quest to bag the Jordan-Nike deal. The movie sheds light on the various unsung heroes who worked behind the deal. Michael Jordan initially did not display interest in his partnership with Nike. He was more inclined towards Adidas. It was Deloris, Jordan’s mother, who talked him into the deal. And this deal has revolutionized the sneaker industry.

Meanwhile, Sonny Vaccaro, the executive behind the Nike-Jordan partnership, recently revealed how he got the deal sealed.

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Getting a deal with Michael Jordan: Sonny Vaccaro talks

Sonny Vaccaro recently appeared on the latest episode of the Rich Eisen Show. He got candid about Jordan’s deal with Nike. After the NBA legend’s mother talked Jordan into the deal with Nike, he wanted a partnership with Nike, but was more keen on getting a car out of it. In fact, Jordan would have settled on the deal just for the car. The NBA legend would have missed out on $1,500,000,000+ had he settled for a Red Mercedes.

However, his mother, Deloris, had different demands. Sonny was asked by the host of the show Rich Eisen if it was true that Jordan’s mother ended up getting a part of the shoe. Sonny responded to the host’s question. And he was brimming with admiration for the NBA legend.

“His mother ended up getting a part of the company. Forget the company.” Sonny replied. “He started the whole new world for athletes.”

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Sonny didn’t hold back with his praise for Jordan and even went on to call him the ‘GOAT of Marketing. He said, “Michael Jordan to the world should be remembered as starting an industry that was not there. You can like Michael, you cannot like Michael. You can think he was the best player and not the best player. That’s your argument. But one thing the world knows, Michael Jordan saved the company that now is as big as it can be. Nike is as big in the industry in the world. There’s no question about the superiority of Nike. Michael Jordan did that.”

Deloris’ demand

In the same interview, Vaccaro also revealed the most important person in Jordan’s life, his family. He then proceeded to contact Jordan’s mother. He struck up a conversation on the phone with her. Jordan agreed to the Jordan-Nike deal after Sonny’s call with Deloris. Vaccaro’s idea of the deal was to give Jordan a piece of the shoe.

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However, Deloris had other plans. She demanded that Jordan get a piece of the company. Sonny said, ” Deloris says, my son’s gonna own part of Nike. You make a dime, I make a dime”

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“Air” hit the theatres on April 5th, 2023. The movie dives deep into the heroes who worked behind the deal. Will you be watching?

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.

Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty

Nearly Missed Out on $1,500,000,000+ for a Red Mercedes, Billionaire Michael Jordan Ended Up Saving $188 Billion Worth Company

Getting a deal with Michael Jordan: Sonny Vaccaro talks

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Deloris’ demand