Skip to main content

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.

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!

Editors' Recommendations

Shawn Laib
Shawn Laib is a freelance writer with publications such as Den of Geek, Quote.com, Edge Media Network, diaTribe, SUPERJUMP…
A new analysis says streaming services now cost more than cable (but the truth isn’t that simple)
Is TV streaming really that expensive?
Netflix logo on TV with red backlighting

 

After millions of people ditched their cable packages for more a la carte streaming options, a new analysis is now claiming that cable is actually cheaper, on average, than the average person's array of streaming services. According to an analysis in the Financial Times, thanks to price increases for subscriptions to Apple TV+, Max, Disney+, and Hulu, among others, streaming subscriptions now cost an average of $87/mo, compared to the equivalent cable package, which costs $83/mo.

Read more
11 post-apocalyptic movies and shows to watch if you miss ‘The Last of Us’
Whether you're into zombies, aliens, or climate catastrophes, we've found the perfect apocalyptic media for you
Rick and Daryl in The Walking Dead

Right from the beginning, during its incredible pilot episode, the post-apocalyptic world created in HBO's The Last of Us video game adaptation had fans all over the world clamoring for more zombie/horror/apocalypse shows and movies. Luckily, with so many streaming services available, you're bound to find a few alternatives to tide you over until the second season of the hit show returns sometime soon (hopefully!).

We've decided to compile the post-apocalypse TV shows and movies most similar to the eerie vibes of The Last of Us — or at least the ones with similar themes — and hopefully, something will sound enticing to you.

Read more
The 13 best movies of the 2000s you should watch (or rewatch)
From Kill Bill to Zodiac, these are the best movies you should watch from the 2000s
best movies of the 2000s kill bill 2003

The aughts mark an era of great art. Indie rock, for example, started to gain momentum in the music realm while movies exploded with the kind of fresh innovation and creativity that can only come from the dawn of a new millennium. There were duds, for sure. Most people just use Snakes on a Plane as anything but a joke, and seemingly interesting releases such as Garden State are boring when rewatched today. And while there were plenty of great action movies, there were some duds as well.
We've had an additional decade to see which movies struck a chord, whether it’s as a result of phenomenal acting, clever editing, or an intoxicating script. The first decade of the 21st century was blessed with many iconic films. Below, we rounded up the best movies of the 2000s to watch. If you are looking for more films to stream from other eras, check out our list of the best Amazon Prime movies or the best movies on Netflix.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Read more