Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture
  3. News

Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’ is the Michael Jordan story you haven’t seen

Nike and Michael Jordan's partnership are the focus of 'Air'

Michael Jordan is one of the most decorated players in NBA history. Winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and five NBA MVP Awards, Air Jordan is synonymous with hoops greatness. Over 25 years since his last title win with the Bulls, Jordan is still an icon and one of the most famous athletes on the planet. Why? It’s got to be more than just his on-court accomplishments that contribute to his enduring legacy for millions of fans, many of who weren’t even born yet when Jordan was last seen lacing up his sneakers.

Ben Affleck is determined to get to the bottom of Michael Jordan’s continued relevance in the public eye. Unlike other Michael Jordan films that have been released as of late, Air won’t include Jordan as a character in the story, but rather all of the people who helped shape his decision to join Nike as their signature shoe endorser in the 1980s. This is a brilliant idea, as Air Jordan shoes are still some of the most popular all around the world. The brand sells more than $5 billion worth of shoes every year, a deal which is mutually beneficial to both the shoe corporation and Jordan over two decades after his retirement from the game.

Recommended Videos

We have the trailer for Air posted below so you can get acquainted with the story, actors, and characters who will represent one of the most famous business deals in sports history.

AIR | Official Trailer

There are some major A-list actors in this cast. We’re so excited to see Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, real-life best friends and award-winning Hollywood stars, team up as shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro and Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Viola Davis is on fire after her powerful performance in The Woman King, and she’ll bring Michael Jordan’s mother, Deloris, to the screen. According to USA Today, MJ personally told Affleck, who is also directing the film, that he wanted Davis to star as his mom. Other famous names in the cast include Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, and Marlon Wayans.

The Air Jordan movie release date is April 5, 2023. The film is being distributed by Amazon, a potential sign of the ways streaming could seep into movie theaters in the future. Hopefully, this film will give even more perspective on the incredible details and story surrounding one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game!

Shawn Laib
Shawn Laib is a freelance writer with publications such as Den of Geek, Quote.com, Edge Media Network, diaTribe, SUPERJUMP…
Argentina survives Cape Verde in World Cup Round of 32 thriller for the ages
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, escapes embarrassment
Lionel Messi

Nobody told Cape Verde they should have been happy to be here, and it was almost bad news for Argentina.

The squads that couldn't be further apart in world rankings (Argentina is No. 1 and Cape Verde is No. 67) clashed in what resulted in one of the best thrillers in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, because this was David against Goliath.

Read more
Terence Crawford delivers warning to young athletes amid Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s money woes
Baseball Cap, Cap, Clothing

It's been less than a year since Terence "Bud" Crawford announced his stunning retirement from boxing, which came shortly after he delivered a masterclass performance against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in a mega bout that cemented his place in boxing lore. In the seven months since hanging up the gloves, Crawford now knows what it's like to continue sustaining a lifestyle that includes supporting seven children, on top of continuing to pay the bills, like a mortgage and the boxing gym he owns in Omaha, Nebraska, or continuing with his real estate investment opportunities while no longer being able to count on a major payday as the former No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer.

It's estimated that Crawford earned anywhere from $90 million to $100 million during his illustrious career. Those in the know say Crawford is financially disciplined, which is what makes him the perfect, and perhaps only, candidate to speak out on Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s alleged money problems.

Read more
Harry Kane saves the Brits in the nick of time, lifts England into Round of 16, where Mexico awaits
England avoids disastrous upset to Congo thanks to Harry Kane
Harry Kane

Hollywood couldn't have written this any better if it tried. England will face Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday night at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, pitting two powerhouses looking to rewrite history. But first, England had to get there, and it did so in dramatic fashion. The Brits trailed the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 late in the game on Wednesday in Atlanta. As the clock ticked past the 70th minute, desperation set in for England as Congo eyed the impossible.

Enter Harry Kane.

Read more