In 1984, Sonny Vaccaro and Nike executives plotted a strategy to get into the world of pro basketball. How they ended up signing Michael Jordan and launching the Air Jordan brand is a Hollywood story that features secret phone calls, a six-figure check, a mansion in Oregon, and a plate of ribs at a Tony Roma’s restaurant in Santa Monica.
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Chapter 1: “How Sonny Became Sonny”
Visit Grantland every day this week for a new chapter of Sole Man. Sole Man will make its prime-time television debut on Thursday, April 16, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.