What was Sonny Vaccaro original profession?
Vaccaro’s career in sports began as an aspiring college athlete whose injuries forced him into high school coaching and teaching in his native western Pennsylvania.
What does Sonny Vaccaro do now?
Since his retirement from sports marketing, Vaccaro has spent a lot of time as an irritant to the NCAA, helping launch Ed O’Bannon’s antitrust lawsuit over name, image and likeness rights, and as an advocate for young athletes. On so many levels, his place in sports history is secure.
Why was Sonny Vaccaro successful?
A die-hard for basketball, an advocate for underprivileged kids, Vaccaro sparked groundbreaking growth for pop culture in basketball and sneakers. He created a platform for athletes to become the face of the product and as a result, he humanized the brand and their clothing.
Where did Sonny Vaccaro grow up?
Pennsylvania
Vaccaro, 71, grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Youngstown State University after an injury ended his college football career. In 1965, he started the Roundball Classic, a national high school basketball all-star game.
Who signed Jordan to Nike?
Vaccaro is best known for his tenure with Nike, Inc., where he signed Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal. Vaccaro left Nike for Adidas, then Reebok. He founded the ABCD Camp, an elite showcase of high school basketball standouts, which ran from 1984 to 2007.
What sport was Nike focused on when Sonny met with their executive?
basketball
Beyond his lucrative professional relationships with Nike founder Phil Knight and NBA icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Sonny’s story is significant because he forged the link between the sneaker industry and basketball — and helped invent a whole new era of sports celebrity.
Why did Sonny Vaccaro sell his Jordans?
Vaccaro said he couldn’t make Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, having already booked a trip with his wife to Palm Springs. Vaccaro said Jordan left the pair of shoes for him to show his appreciation for their relationship.
Where did Sonny Vaccaro go to school?
Reedley CollegeSonny Vaccaro / College
What impact did Sonny have on the shoe industry?
Beyond his lucrative professional relationships with Nike founder Phil Knight and NBA icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Sonny’s story is significant because he forged the link between the sneaker industry and basketball — and helped invent a whole new era of sports celebrity.
Why did Sonny Vaccaro leave Nike?
When asked what changed his mind, Vaccaro said he wants to push back against Nike’s attempts to erase him from Jordan’s story and described being left out of “The Last Dance” as “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” “That’s the reason the shoe is being sold,” he said.