A shoe is just a shoe until someone steps into it. And when that someone is Michael Jordan, it can change the fortunes of a company, as portrayed in the sports drama film AIR, streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
Directed by Ben Affleck, AIR follows Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike marketing executive, played by Matt Damon, and Phil Knight, Nike co-founder and chairman, in their pursuit of signing basketball rookie Michael Jordan. It is a partnership that revolutionized the world of sport, business and contemporary culture.
The film AIR, streaming on Prime Video, is loaded with incredible business lessons and insights, that can be applied to any business, big or small.
- See the bigger picture
Sonny Vaccaro was the only person who truly saw the potential of Michael Jordan. While many saw him as a potentially great basketball player, it is Sonny who truly saw his potential as a cultural icon and a superstar, far beyond the court. Sonny was willing to take the risk and go against conventional wisdom. In business, you need to be able to see the bigger picture, even when no one else does.
- Internal politics can ruin companies
At one point in AIR, Nike’s internal politics almost cost them Michael Jordan. There were Nike employees who didn't want to sign Jordan because they thought he was too risky. Internal politics can be a major obstacle to success. If you want to be successful, you need to be able to manage it effectively.
- Flexibility is the name of the game
Nike was willing to be flexible to sign Michael Jordan. They were willing to give him more money than they had originally planned. They were willing to make a deal that had never been done before in the industry. It's another important lesson for business owners. Sometimes, you need to be nimble and flexible, in order to get what you want.
- Teamwork is everything
Nike was able to sign Michael Jordan because of the teamwork of many employees. Sonny Vaccaro, Phil Knight, Rob Strasser, and many others played a key role in making the deal happen, chipping in with their own set of skills and expertise. This is a reminder that teamwork is essential for success. No one person can achieve anything great on their own.
- The importance of risk-taking
Nike took a risk when they signed Michael Jordan as a rookie. Jordan was a young player at the time, and he had not yet proved himself in the NBA. However, Sonny and Nike believed in Jordan's potential, and they were willing to take a risk on him. This risk paid off, and Jordan went on to become one of the most successful basketball players of all time.
AIR is a great story about the power of dreams and the importance of never giving up. It is a story that can inspire anyone who wants to achieve success in business. These are just a few of the many lessons that we can learn from the film. Watch AIR, streaming exclusively on Prime Video.