By: Vivek Nair

Who Is Phil Knight, Played by Ben Affleck in the Movie "Air"?

Image Credit: Twitter

The movie "Air," directed by Ben Affleck, chronicles the journey of Sonny Vaccaro and Phil Knight, co-founders of Nike, Inc., after they struck a business deal with basketball player Michael Jordan. 

This partnership gave birth to the Air Jordan shoe line, which is now one of the most successful sneaker lines in history.

In the movie, Ben Affleck plays the role of Phil Knight. Knight was born on February 24, 1938, in Portland, Oregon, to a lawyer-turned-newspaper publisher father and a mother who was a homemaker. 

He was a middle-distance runner at the University of Oregon and served in the army before enrolling in the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

During his time in college, Knight came up with the idea of a sports shoe company, teamed up with his former track coach, Bill Bowerman, and started selling Japanese-made running shoes in America.

Knight played a crucial role in the brand's partnership with Michael Jordan, which revolutionized the sneaker industry. Nike established its authority in the sneaker market with the Air Jordan line.

Apart from being a businessman, Knight also owns the stop-motion film production company Laika. As of 2023, his estimated net worth is $47.7 billion, making him the 24th richest person in the world. 

The movie "Air" provides a glimpse into Knight's life and contribution to the establishment of Nike. Affleck's portrayal of Knight is the main highlight, making it a must-see film for sneakerheads.

More Stories

THANKS FOR READING

Ben Affleck’s Air Movie Cast: Why Is Michael Jordan Not Acting in Air?