AIR
by
Alex Convery
GRANDVIEW / Zac Frognowski / Faisal Kanaan
UTA / Ramses IsHak / Michael Sheresky / Jordan Lonner
ii.
INSERT - TV COMMERCIAL
The unmistakable smile of MAGIC JOHNSON - he's holding a
CONVERSE SNEAKER and rapping along to a cheesy jingle.
MAGIC JOHNSON
The Converse Weapon - that's the
shoe that let Magic do what he was
born to do!
ISAIH THOMAS.
ISAIH THOMAS
That may be so, but that's not
all... they let Isaih play like
he's ten feet tall!
LARRY BIRD. This could be a commercial for the NBA Hall of
Fame.
LARRY BIRD
You already know what they did for
me. I walked away with the MVP!
"Converse - the official shoe of the NBA!"
BLACK
OVER "IF I RULED THE WORLD" by NAS.
EXT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - DAY
BEAVERTON, OREGON
Even if you don't know what the modern Nike headquarters
looks like, you can imagine it. A sprawling green campus.
Lots of glass. Lots of money.
An "employee first mentality". Great benefits. Unlimited
vacation (unless you take too much). They match the fuck out
of your 401k.
Now... imagine the exact opposite of that.
TITLE CARD READS: 1984, NIKE WORLDWIDE HEADQUARTERS
Two buildings. They look more like IRS offices in Iowa than
the headquarters of a sneaker company.
STRASSER (V.O.)
Well... Orwell was right. 1984's
been a tough year.
2.
We drift down the hall, passing framed pictures of Olympic
athletes hoisting gold medals, track stars, runners, etc.
Notably absent are pictures of basketball, football, or any
other sport an average American would consider popular.
Until we reach...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
STRASSER
Sales down. Growth down. Ratings
down. But I know I'm not worried.
ROB STRASSER, VP of Marketing. 6'3, 280 pounds with an extra
helping of shoulders. His red beard a bonfire on his face.
Giving a presentation to...
STRASSER (CONT'D)
How about you guys?
...the bored group that makes up Nike's Basketball Division.
Pencil pushers. Collared shirts. Note pads. Coffee mugs.
Yawns.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
Bids are going in next week. Let's
run through ideas?
He looks around the room....
Nothing.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
Alright. Olajuwon is off the table.
#1 pick isn't coming here. We're
not getting Jordan either. Word is
he's going Adidas. Maybe Converse
if they're willing to pay. So...
same plan as always: we'll identify
three players, and split the baby.
We know we're going after Barkley
and Bowie. Any other ideas?
Pencils TAP. TAP. TAP.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
Anyone?
BILL
I like Melvin Turpin.
3.
STRASSER
Great. Let's get him on the board.
Strasser writes TURPIN across the board.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
(off dead air)
Anyone else?
TIM
What about John Stockton?
STRASSER
Interesting. From Gonzaga?
TIM
Yeah.
STRASSER
Alright. Well, let's go into...
SONNY (O.S.)
Why do you like Melvin Turpin?
Everyone at the table turns. Their gazes drifting to the very
back of the room, where we find...
JOHN PAUL VINCENT VACCARO. To make it easy, we'll call him
what everyone else does: SONNY. 45. Short and squat. Italian-
American. A determinism in his eyes, the bags under which
tell us how much sleep he gets (none).
SONNY (CONT'D)
Melvin Turpin. What do you like
about him?
BILL
Me?
SONNY
You're the one who said you liked
Melvin Turpin, right? Jim?
BILL
Bill.
SONNY
Bill. Right. Bill the big Melvin
Turpin fan.
BILL
He made the Final Four last year.
4.
SONNY
So did forty other players.
BILL
Kentucky puts good players in the
NBA. I mean, he was the fifth
pick...
SONNY
Have you watched him?
BILL
Of course, I...
SONNY
So what do you like about his game?
BILL
He's got a good feel for the court.
Good vision.
SONNY
He only had 33 assists last year,
which would tell most observers
otherwise.
BILL
Listen, I...
SONNY
No, actually I agree with you. Mel
Turpin is going be good.
(wait for it)
In Europe, when he's out of the
league in four years. Maybe we can
sign him then. We have an office in
Paris, right? You like Mel Turpin
because he was the fifth pick in
the draft. You like him because
it's an easy answer and no one is
going to give you shit for saying
you like the fifth pick in the
draft.
STRASSER
Alright, alright. Any other ideas?
Silence.
Strasser looks to Sonny, who sticks two fingers up to his
temple. BANG.
STRASSER (OVERLAP) (CONT'D)
What the hell is wrong with you?
5.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CAFETERIA - DAY
A sea of faces in line for the same slop. Corporate lunch
hour.
Sonny and Strasser sit across from each other. Strasser
already eating what everyone else is in line for.
SONNY
So who are we thinking?
STRASSER
We just sat in a conference room
for an hour trying to answer that
exact question.
SONNY
I like Stockton some.
STRASSER
That would have been nice to
discuss in the meeting. He was
brought up.
SONNY
I didn't want to discuss it in the
meeting. I wanted to discuss it
with you. What happens in there is
bullshit.
STRASSER
That's because people are scared to
speak.
SONNY
Why would they be scared?
STRASSER
Because you chew their heads off!
SONNY
I wouldn't do that if they had good
suggestions. Mel Turpin?
STRASSER
I didn't say Melvin Turpin was a
good idea.
SONNY
Then why defend it?
STRASSER
Team mindset, Sonny.
6.
SONNY
I prefer the truth.
Strasser lowers his voice, taking a more serious tone.
STRASSER
We have 250k for three players. How
do we want to spend it?
SONNY
Can we get more?
STRASSER
No chance. I'd say Barkley is the
most interesting, the most
marketable... the round mound of
rebound. It's there already. We
don't have to do anything - just
have to print it on a billboard.
SONNY
What about Jordan?
STRASSER
Converse or Adidas. For sure. I sat
in Falk's office for three hours
last month. Just too expensive.
SONNY
Guy never shuts up.
(pivoting)
I do like Stockton some.
STRASSER
Gonzaga though...? I don't think
people even know where that is.
SONNY
I'm not saying it's ideal.
Sonny looks out the window. Gazing through the flat fields
surrounding the office.
STRASSER
Listen, what I said in there? About
not being worried? I was lying.
SONNY
No shit.
STRASSER
You saw the numbers. One of these
three needs to be star.
Otherwise...
(MORE)
7.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
Nike may well be out of the
basketball business. And we'll be
out of jobs.
SONNY
I'm out of a job. You'd be fine.
We're on the brink. It's just a
matter of time before we hit on the
right player.
STRASSER
Unfortunately, time is the one
thing we're short on.
A deep sigh. Strasser stares a hole through the ceiling.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
OK. So, Barkley. Stockton. And
Bowie.
(trying to convince
himself)
These are good players.
SONNY
Yeah. They are.
STRASSER
Then what's wrong?
SONNY
Just a feeling.
STRASSER
The time for feelings was six
months ago. Now it's time to pick
players. Nike needs a basketball
icon. It's as simple as that. But
icons are like money... they don't
grow on trees.
SONNY
Money's made with paper. Paper
comes from trees.
STRASSER
Yeah, well I...
RICHARD
Excuse me. Mr. Strasser...
He's interrupted by RICHARD, who screams middle management.
Beige green button up with khakis.
8.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
I... sorry to interrupt you.
STRASSER
That's fine, it's good to see
you...
(trying to figure out who
the hell this is)
Uh...
RICHARD
I just wanted... could I get some
time on your calendar next week?
We've been discussing some
marketing strategies on the Air
Sole expansion and I'd love to pick
your brain on it.
STRASSER
Of course. Just stop by my office
and we'll get it on the books.
RICHARD
Great. Great! Looking forward to
it!
Richard walks off. Proud of himself.
STRASSER
I have no idea who that is.
(off Sonny's laugh)
You know there was a time I could
name everyone who worked here?
SONNY
Things change. Places grow.
Strasser looks around the cafeteria. Everyone milling about.
So many people. All going about their day.
STRASSER
I guess so.
(looking up at the
counter)
You want dessert? Sundae bar today.
SONNY
Can't.
STRASSER
(surprised)
What, you have other plans?
9.
SONNY
Have a meeting.
STRASSER
With who?
SONNY
The shoe dog.
Off Strasser's raised eyebrows. Shit.
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - NIGHT
PHIL KNIGHT, CEO and FOUNDER of Nike. Orange-red beard and
long hair. He doesn't look like a CEO - he looks like a long
distance runner. A bohemian capitalist.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny.
Sonny makes the long walk from the door to Phil's massive oak
desk. Picks up a plastic basketball resting on it. Tosses it
up and down.
There's an OREGON DUCKS mini-hoop on the wall. Right next to
the infamous WAFFLE IRON - the one that produced the first
Nike shoe.
SONNY
I'm missing the sundae bar, Phil.
PHIL KNIGHT
Who's this lunatic that keeps
skateboarding in the parking lot?
They both look out the window, where there is indeed a MAN
SKATEBOARDING around the parked cars.
He's wearing a leather jacket and a large cowboy hat, both
look designer even from the second floor.
SONNY
No idea.
The SKATEBOARDER jumps OVER the back of a car.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ.
PHIL KNIGHT
(back to business)
How was the strategy meeting?
10.
SONNY
Oh, just enlightening.
PHIL KNIGHT
Do we have a plan in place?
SONNY
Well, if you ask Strasser, the plan
in place is the plan that's always
been in place. Split our budget in
three, sign three players... and
cross our fingers. Maybe we can try
pressing the Magic Money Button
while we're at it.
PHIL KNIGHT
Don't fuck around, Sonny. First
quarterly loss in history. I just
had to lay off a quarter of the
fucking company.
SONNY
There's no escape hatch, Phil. We
need to increase spending.
PHIL KNIGHT
That's not going to happen.
SONNY
Is Strasser's number right? 250k?
PHIL KNIGHT
Yes.
SONNY
What about five?
PHIL KNIGHT
No. Profits have dropped, we should
be dropping the budget along with
it. You're lucky to have 250 as is.
SONNY
It's not enough. We need to invest
more in basketball.
PHIL KNIGHT
Why? We took four golds at the
Olympics.
SONNY
No one gives a fuck. That's a
morale boost. Kids don't care about
running.
(MORE)
11.
SONNY (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Not
everyone is you, Phil. Track and
field doesn't sell.
PHIL KNIGHT
But at least we know what we're
getting with a runner. Their
performance and fame isn't reliant
on the team that's around them.
SONNY
I know you--
PHIL KNIGHT
(cutting him off)
People don't know what you do here.
SONNY
You know what I do here.
PHIL KNIGHT
That's not the point. I have a
board to answer to. And guess what
they're asking me about?
SONNY
The rules of basketball?
PHIL KNIGHT
You.
(frustrated)
You don't make shoes, you're a pain
in the ass in meetings, you don't
work normal hours. You're off
running high school tournaments
half the year. So... Sonny... What
the hell do you do?
SONNY
(spinning the basketball
on the desk)
I bring you players. I find
basketball players.
PHIL KNIGHT
Then where are they? I brought you
in to grow our basketball business
and it's shrunk every year.
SONNY
I'm telling you, we just need more--
12.
PHIL KNIGHT
I would have hired a parrot if it's
only job was to ask for more money.
I've got the board on my ass asking
why we even need basketball. It's a
wasted investment.
SONNY
Because basketball is the future.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny, the NBA finals are on tape
delay. They don't tape delay the
future.
SONNY
This is why I told you not to go
public. These things happen when
you go public.
PHIL KNIGHT
Investing in basketball is not a
reason to put off going public.
It's done now, there's nothing--
SONNY
It's called plateauing. It happens
to every company. Well, almost
every company. Every boring company
for sure. Every company with
limited aspirations. Every company
that doesn't see the bigger
picture. That only cares about the
P and L statement and the board
being happy.
PHIL KNIGHT
Don't use the company's failings to
mask your own. Personal ambition is
a danger.
SONNY
The line between personal ambition
and group success is thinner than
you think.
PHIL KNIGHT
That's what someone who values
personal ambition would say.
Phil leans back in his chair. Breathes out.
PHIL KNIGHT (CONT'D)
Do you run?
13.
SONNY
Is this going to lead to some
Buddhist aphorism I don't want to
hear?
PHIL KNIGHT
Do you run?
SONNY
(gesturing to his stomach)
Phil, look at me.
PHIL KNIGHT
It's painful, it's hard. The act
itself is a destination. It's
suffering.
SONNY
There's a thought within the
Catholic Church that suffering is
the only true path to salvation.
PHIL KNIGHT
And are you willing to suffer?
SONNY
I don't know, Phil, but the longer
you have me at this desk the more
I'm thinking the answer is yes.
(looking up at his shoes)
So are you going to tell me why you
run?
PHIL KNIGHT
Because the alternative is
stopping.
They're interrupted by PHIL'S SECRETARY, who peeks her head
through the large doors.
SECRETARY
Mr. Knight? Your 1pm...
PHIL KNIGHT
Tell them just a moment. Mr.
Vacarro was just seeing himself
out. And can you have security
figure out why there's a cowboy
skateboarding in our parking lot?
SECRETARY
Of course, sir.
As Sonny exits...
14.
PHIL KNIGHT
You cannot travel the path until
you become the path.
SONNY
Don't pull your Namaste bullshit on
me, Phil.
Sonny finally SHOOTS the plastic basketball.
It misses.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY - NIGHT
The WHIRRING of a carpet cleaner. Soap and cleaning solution
SPIN.
A uniformed JANITOR nods his head to whatever he's listening
to on his headphones.
He's the only one in the office.
Or so he thinks...
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
You can hardly see Sonny among the MOUNTAINS OF VHS TAPES
stacked all around the office.
Each has a strip of masking tape across it with a player's
name written in sharpie.
He's chewing through tape. Watching STOCKTON. Watching BOWIE.
Watching BARKLEY.
Old standard definition highlights. Sonny replays Stockton
going to the hoop. Forward and backward. Examines his jump
shot. Forward and backward.
Yawns. Leans back in his chair. Looks up at his wall, where
Nike's MISSION STATEMENT is neatly framed. Ten rules. The
commandments.
#1. Our business is change.
#3. Perfect results count - not a perfect process. Break the
rules: fight the law.
Sonny piles a few of the tapes up. Puts them in his bag and
heads out.
15.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
Sonny wanders the pale aisles of the grocery store. The wheel
of his plastic red cart squeaking.
He passes boxes of cereal, in all of their neon 80's glory.
Stops to gaze at...
A BOX OF WHEATIES - LARRY BIRD on the cover. He's holding...
CONVERSE SNEAKERS.
GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEE
Sir...?
Sonny turns around. An EMPLOYEE waits with a cart full of
milk gallons, ready to stock.
GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEE (CONT'D)
Can I help you?
SONNY
No, sorry... just...
GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEE
We're closing soon.
SONNY
Got it. Thanks.
She continues rolling down the aisle....
SONNY (CONT'D)
Hey... do you know where Gonzaga
is?
GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEE
Excuse me?
SONNY
Gonzaga. Do you know where it is?
GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEE
...Switzerland?
SONNY
Never mind. Thanks.
As Sonny makes his way back down the aisle... he catches his
altered reflection in the slightly tinted glass of a freezer.
And what he sees is what he feels... tired and old.
16.
INT./EXT. SONNY'S CAR - NIGHT
Sonny sits in the front seat of his car. Driving home...
He pulls over. Parked on a suburban street.
He takes a deep breath. Reaches into one of the grocery bags
in the backseat. Takes out a box...
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ICE CREAM BARS. He tears the box open
and removes one. Rips open the wrapper...
Technicolor pink. Undoubtedly some sort of poisoned food
coloring, but childlike in its artificial wonder.
SONNY SCARFS IT DOWN. Four or five bites, but he eats it so
fast it's hard to tell.
He chews and chews. Like he's racing against someone
invisible sitting shotgun. Finally swallows. And then...
Reaches for another one. Same routine. Rips it open. Devours
it down in just a few bites. Gulps it down. Takes a breath...
Starts his car again. He drives slow. Turns the wheel as we
see...
EXT. VACARRO HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
He was right around the corner from his house. He pulls into
the driveway and steps out of the car.
He rips the strawberry shortcake box into so many pieces,
you'd never know what it was in the first place.
He disposes the pieces in the trash can outside the garage
along with the four uneaten bars.
INT. VACARRO HOUSEHOLD - SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Sonny sits in his armchair, his two TV's the only light in
the room.
He's watching tape on one. ESPN on in the background of the
other one.
Close on Sonny's face, bathed in the blue light of the
television. Flickering as we hear the sound of a crowd
CHEERING.
Something on the other TV catches his attention...
17.
A TENNIS COMMERCIAL, featuring ARTHUR ASHE. Sonny turns up
the volume.
ARTHUR ASHE
(holding up a racket)
This is the racket I won Wimbledon
with. And you could've bought it.
Really.
Sonny digests what he's watching. He turns back to the other
screen.
We can see his wheels spinning as he watches the tape. He
leans in closer.
It's almost otherworldly. A moment of transcendence that only
comes a few times in one's life. When everything seems to
click together, if only for a second. It all makes sense.
When you finally see what you've been missing this whole
time.
We see the empty VHS case. The tape he's watching. It reads:
JORDAN
INT. STRASSER'S OFFICE - DAY
You can learn who a person is by what they keep on their
desk. Strasser's a lifer. A native Oregonian. The type of guy
who knows that what he's doing can be bullshit, but does it
anyway.
Framed pictures of him with NBA players, standing with his
son at the Finals, the Olympics, etc.
He sits across from an EXECUTIVE, we'll call him RICH. Climb
the corporate ladder long enough and you are.
STRASSER
Unfortunately, our commitment will
have to come down this year.
Budgets and all. But that doesn't
mean...
The door opens. Sonny pokes his head through.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
I'll be done in twenty.
SONNY
I need you done now.
18.
STRASSER
Sonny.
RICH
(getting up)
No worries at all. I understand.
It's the busiest time of year.
STRASSER
Sorry about this. Thanks for
coming, Rich. We'll follow up.
SONNY
(almost shooing him out)
Yeah, we'll follow up.
STRASSER
What the hell is--
SONNY
I found the icon tree.
STRASSER
I don't care what you found, we
have relationships to--
SONNY
It's in North Carolina.
He clicks on the TV. Pushes in a VHS. A beat as it loads
before--
Michael Jordan's game winning shot against Georgetown.
SONNY (CONT'D)
It's Jordan.
STRASSER
He hits the shot. I've seen it.
We've all seen it.
SONNY
No. Stop. Don't watch the shot.
Don't watch Jordan.
STRASSER
You don't want me to watch Jordan.
SONNY
Correct. In fact, watch everything
except Jordan.
(as he lets the tape
continue)
Look at Dean in the huddle.
(MORE)
19.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Look at how he draws up the play.
(he lets a little more
play before pausing the
tape again)
That's James Worthy. First overall
pick, as you know. Another player
we had no chance at signing.
STRASSER
Correct.
SONNY
So why isn't he taking the shot?
Why is this skinny freshman from
Wilmington, North Carolina taking
the shot?
STRASSER
Because he was open.
SONNY
The play was drawn up that way. No
one else was taking that shot. It's
because they saw the same thing I'm
seeing.
He lets the tape play out. Jordan catches the pass. Seventeen
seconds left. Seventeen feet from the basket. Pulls up for
the jumper. It's good.
Sonny pauses the screen. Close on Jordan's face.
SONNY (CONT'D)
You can see it in his eyes.
STRASSER
Sonny... There's no way we can...
SONNY
If Nike wants to get serious about
the basketball business then Nike
needs to get serious about the
basketball business.
STRASSER
I... don't know what that's
supposed to mean.
SONNY
I don't want to sign three players.
I want to sign one.
20.
STRASSER
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Are you high?
SONNY
No. It all came to me last night.
We can build a shoe line around
him. Just him. Think about it...
the shoe deal has hardly changed
since the beginning of time. Why
are we beholden to this archaic
model? We can tap into something
deeper... the player's identity.
STRASSER
(dumbfounded)
You're looking to personify... A
shoe.
SONNY
Yes! Have you seen that Arthur Ashe
commercial?
(switching to Arthur Ashe
voice)
"This is the racket I won Wimbledon
with. And you could've bought it."
What if we do that with a shoe?
STRASSER
Even if Jordan wanted to come here,
it would cost too much.
SONNY
That's not true. We have 250k. We
can get him for 250k.
STRASSER
And what's your genius pitch?
SONNY
I told you, we can offer him
something that no one else can.
STRASSER
Which is...?
SONNY
Nike doesn't have a strong
basketball department.
STRASSER
(hands in his face)
Oh, good god.
21.
SONNY
Think about it. It's what Converse
won't do. They can't upset any of
their players by elevating one
above the other. We can. Converse
has Magic, Bird, Dr. J. But the
sneakers aren't theirs. Every
player wears the same Converse
Weapon... there's only one Jordan.
STRASSER
Sonny he wore converse in college.
Adidas is the hot commodity. I
mean, god, Spot-Bilt can probably
offer him more money.
SONNY
That's not--
STRASSER
He got cut from his High School
team.
SONNY
Exactly - people missed on him
before, and they're missing on him
again.
STRASSER
That's an interesting perspective
to take on it. Come on, we have to
be realistic. What happened to
Stockton?
SONNY
No one knows where Gonzaga is.
STRASSER
Enough. We're going to distribute
it to three or four players. If
Jordan wants 75k... maybe 100k. We
can discuss. But...
SONNY
It's the only way. You want an
icon... let's go get a fucking
icon.
STRASSER
Phil will never go for this.
SONNY
Let me handle that.
22.
STRASSER
You really couldn't have brought
this up yesterday?
(off Sonny)
Have you slept?
SONNY
Not really.
STRASSER
Please don't take us on a wild
goose chase, Sonny. This is too
important...
(off Sonny)
I mean have you even talked to--
He's cut off by a RINGING PHONE.
SONNY
Jordan's agent?
STRASSER
Yes.
SONNY
(calling outside)
Who's on?
SECRETARY
David Falk.
Strasser shakes his head. Trying not to smile.
SONNY
Coming!
Off Strasser. Worry overtaking. Thinking...
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny sprints into his office, some disheveled papers falling
off his desk as he does. He picks up the phone.
Waiting on the other line, as promised, is...
INT. PROSERV AGENCY - DAVID FALK'S OFFICE - DAY
DAVID FALK, Jordan's agent. Shiny bald head, five figure
pressed suit. The prototype power agent. He came out of womb
negotiating commission structures.
23.
DAVID FALK
Sonny, Sonny, Sonny. Here comes the
Sonny.
SONNY
Good morning, Falk.
DAVID FALK
It's afternoon for those of us in
the real world. Regardless, I've
been waiting to hear from my
favorite Italian in Oregon. I hear
Nike is getting out of the
basketball business.
SONNY
Who told you that?
DAVID FALK
You know I have clients in other
sports. I just signed Boomer
Esiason.
SONNY
You heard wrong. I'm calling
about...
(taking a deep breath)
Jordan.
DAVID FALK
(laughing)
I talked to Strasser about Michael
in June. He's not signing with you.
In fact, he's not taking a meeting
with you.
SONNY
What do you mean?
DAVID FALK
A meeting? A group of two, maybe
four to five, executives in a room?
They discuss business? Hear a pitch
from a company? Does any of this
sound familiar? Michael's not going
to be doing that at Nike.
SONNY
Falk, don't fuck with me here. What
are the bids looking like?
DAVID FALK
It's not about the money.
24.
SONNY
Of course it is.
DAVID FALK
We've decided to stretch the
envelope. It's not just about
dollar value. We want to hear what
each company can do to promote
Michael.
SONNY
OK, we're thinking along the same
lines then. All I'm asking for is a
meeting.
DAVID FALK
He's the #3 pick in the league,
Sonny. #3 picks don't wear Nikes.
SONNY
Just get us in the room. What's one
more flight? One more day?
DAVID FALK
I have one directive from Michael:
do whatever it takes to get me with
Adidas.
SONNY
You're fucking with me.
DAVID FALK
Frankly, Sonny, I'm too busy to
fuck with you. Off the record -
even though UNC's a Converse
school, Michael wore Adidas during
practice. He would put on Converse
just before the game started. The
second the final buzzer sounded?
Adidas' back on.
SONNY
Bullshit.
DAVID FALK
On my word. Ask Dean.
SONNY
I thought that was off the record.
DAVID FALK
I didn't say you had to tell him
where you heard it.
(MORE)
25.
DAVID FALK (CONT'D)
And trust me, Converse isn't happy
about it either. I've already seen
a mockup of their presentation.
It's something. Three words: state
of the art.
SONNY
That's four words. But I get it.
Falk counting. 1. 2. 3. Fuck.
DAVID FALK
Now, if you're interested in
submitting an offer that I can use
to drive up Adidas' price, by all
means... go ahead. Makes my job
easier.
SONNY
What are they offering?
DAVID FALK
Offers aren't in yet. But we're
anticipating anywhere between 200
and 250.
Sonny holds his hand over the receiver. Silently mouths FUCK.
DAVID FALK (CONT'D)
Why? What's your budget?
SONNY
We can be... competitive.
DAVID FALK
That's annually. Not total comp.
SONNY
I'm aware.
(takes a breath)
Come on, it's a shit show over at
Adidas. Has been ever since Adolf
croaked.
DAVID FALK
Adi, Sonny. He went by Adi.
SONNY
His name was Adolf. That's not my
fault.
DAVID FALK
He was a good man.
26.
SONNY
Well, he died all the same. Wife's
running the show now?
DAVID FALK
We're meeting with the whole
family.
SONNY
She's rich, has five heirs, and
probably isn't long for this earth.
Do you think her spawns are
thinking about shoe endorsements or
succession plans?
(off silence)
When's his Adidas meeting?
DAVID FALK
What time is it?
SONNY
11:02.
DAVID FALK
71 hours and 58-minutes from now.
SONNY
OK. Let me get back to you.
Sonny hangs up. Bites his lip. Paces back to...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - STRASSER'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny slips back in. Strasser is watching Jordan tape. Re-
evaluating. Looking for whatever it is that Sonny sees.
STRASSER
What'd he say?
SONNY
We have a great shot. He'd been
waiting for my call for weeks.
STRASSER
(rolling his eyes)
How much?
SONNY
I already told you. Our entire
budget.
27.
STRASSER
Jesus, Sonny. You're really going
to take this to Phil?
SONNY
Yes.
STRASSER
When?
SONNY
After my lunch.
STRASSER
What lunch?
SONNY
The one I'm going to.
STRASSER
With who?
SONNY
The man who already passed on
Jordan.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Some upscale bullshit restaurant that was the hardest
reservation in Portland for two years before going out of
business. Sonny sits across from...
STU INMAN, General Manager of the Portland Trailblazers.
Sleight, the frame of a former power-forward, which he was. A
pressed collar lapping over a well-fitting sweater.
A WAITER stands over them, ready for their orders.
STU INMAN
Two steaks. Medium rare?
SONNY
No red meat.
STU INMAN
You're off red meat?
SONNY
Yeah, for my heart.
STU INMAN
Bullshit. You don't have a heart.
28.
SONNY
Chopped salad please. With grilled
chicken.
WAITER
Yes, sir.
SONNY
Thanks for meeting last minute.
STU INMAN
I hear Nike is getting out of the
basketball business.
SONNY
Why is everyo...
(catches himself)
STU INMAN
Honestly, it makes sense. I never
saw how you could compete with the
big boys. Not enough capital.
SONNY
We have capital.
STU INMAN
Yes. Just not enough. Gossip aside,
you strike me as a Stockton-guy.
SONNY
Why's that?
STU INMAN
Because Gonzaga is risky and you
like rolling the dice.
SONNY
He's a hell of a player. I would
have taken him ten picks sooner,
for sure.
STU INMAN
But...?
SONNY
But nothing. I like him.
STU INMAN
Who's on your mind?
SONNY
Why'd you pass on Jordan?
29.
STU INMAN
Oh, come on, Sonny. You're not
signing Jordan.
SONNY
But what do you think of him? As a
player?
STU INMAN
I think he's a good player. Have
you talked to Falk?
SONNY
Then why didn't you draft him?
STU INMAN
My advice would be to leave it
alone. The Bulls are a mess. He's
not going to be in the playoffs for
years.
SONNY
A player can transcend his
situation.
STU INMAN
Sure, but this isn't a situation.
It's a mess. And the playoffs are
where the money is. You know that.
You want to pay top dollar for a
player that's going to be on
national television once a year?
Twice with the all star game if
you're lucky?
SONNY
I mean, you watched the tape?
STU INMAN
Of course we did. We knew he'd be
there at #2. We have Drexler and
Paxson. We didn't need another
guard - we needed a center.
SONNY
I don't think you can draft based
on needs that high... you have to
draft on talent.
STU INMAN
He's not going to be better than
Drexler.
(frustrated)
What do you see in Jordan?
30.
SONNY
It's in his eyes.
STU INMAN
I see two brown eyes. 60% of the
world has brown eyes, Sonny. It's
the most common eye color in the
world.
SONNY
It's not the color. It's something
else.
STU INMAN
So you came all the way down here
to tell me you didn't like our
draft pick?
(off Sonny)
What, you think I'm going to be
remembered as the man who passed on
Michael Jordan? Come on, Sonny.
Players come and go. No one's
remembered for just one player.
Close on Sonny. His eyes tell us differently.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY - DAY
Sonny paces up to Phil's office, where Phil's secretary sits
expectantly.
PHIL'S SECRETARY
They're already in there.
SONNY
Who?
PHIL'S SECRETARY
Phil said he had a meeting with you
and Mr. Strasser?
Sonny shakes his head as he opens the door to...
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - DAY
Strasser sits across the desk from Phil. An empty chair next
to him - like it was waiting for Sonny.
Strasser turns to him. Mouths "sorry". Sonny can only shake
his head.
31.
PHIL KNIGHT
I hear you had lunch plans.
SONNY
Hi, Phil.
PHIL KNIGHT
Before we get into things, let me
just say this: no.
SONNY
Let me explain.
PHIL KNIGHT
No.
SONNY
You told me something the day you
hired me: We're not in the shoe
business, we're in the
entertainment business.
(off Phil)
This is entertainment. Michael
Jordan is the guy we've been
waiting for.
PHIL KNIGHT
You both said the exact same thing
about Bobby Jones and Artis
Gilmore.
SONNY
If perfection is the goal than we
were doomed from the start. You
can't expect us to be right every
time
PHIL KNIGHT
How about some of the time?
SONNY
That's part of gambling. You don't
win every hand. It's time to change
our strategy.
PHIL KNIGHT
This is a business, Sonny, not a
craps table. We don't have
unlimited checks to write.
SONNY
I'm not asking for unlimited, I'm
asking for 250.
32.
PHIL KNIGHT
You want to pay him $250,000?
SONNY
Yes. More if possible.
PHIL KNIGHT
A rookie. Who hasn't set foot on an
NBA court yet?
SONNY
That's the literal definition of a
rookie, yes.
PHIL KNIGHT
A player who was cut from his High
School team?
SONNY
Yes.
PHIL KNIGHT
Magic Johnson doesn't even have a
shoe line.
SONNY
Exactly.
PHIL KNIGHT
(thinking it over)
No. I can't justify paying one
player that much...
STRASSER
Phil, we're thinking this has a
chance to--
SONNY
Let me put it like this: I'm
willing to bet my career on Michael
Jordan. If this doesn't work... I'm
gone. No questions asked.
PHIL KNIGHT
This isn't the time for theatrics.
SONNY
I'll put it in writing. No
severance. Gone like I was never
here at all.
PHIL KNIGHT
Why?
33.
SONNY
Because you asked me what I do
here... and this is what I do here.
I find players. And I feel it right
now. I wish I could explain it
better... I just know. We can't
split the baby. Not this time. When
you were slinging sneakers out of
the trunk of your Plymouth Valiant
under the name Blue Ribbon
Sports... I know you envisioned
more than this. You had grander
dreams. Strasser's in the cafeteria
booking meetings with people he
doesn't even know... we can't
afford to play it safe. Not this
time. Not now.
PHIL KNIGHT
(begrudgingly)
What's the competition?
STRASSER
The Germans.
CUT TO:
EXT. ADIDAS HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Even if you don't know what the modern Adidas headquarters
looks like, you can imagine it.
But you don't need to. Because in 1984, this place already
looks like it will in 2020.
A monolithic building, an almost cartoonish Soviet-style
fortress, topped by a neon blue trefoil spinning in the fog.
The finest German glass reflecting water shimmering.
The Adidas Museum: Spikes worn by Jesse Owens at the 1936
Olympics in Berlin. Boxing shoes worn by Muhammad Ali. Stan
Smith's Stan Smiths, and the pair of soccer cleats that would
become known as the Copa Mundial.
INT. ADIDAS HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
The Adidas braintrust sits around a conference table, each
with a folder and neat stack of paper in front of them.
KATHE DASSLER - the matriarch. She's not in good health, but
is running the company anyway.
34.
HORST DASSLER - her son, controlling everything behind the
scenes (or trying to), round face anchored by a square jaw.
FOUR DAUGHTERS - they all look vaguely similar, only twelve
years between the youngest and the oldest. Almost like each
one was cloned three years apart and now they're growing up
in order.
JOHN O'NEIL - Adidas' Head of Operations in the States, sits
at the end of the very long table.
JOHN O'NEIL
I know the last thing we want to be
discussing is business.
They all turn to a giant portrait of ADOLF "ADI" DASSLER.
Founder of the company, recently deceased, his presence still
looming from the grave.
JOHN O'NEIL (CONT'D)
I can only imagine the grief.
KATHE DASSLER
As Adi would say... We must go on.
JOHN O'NEIL
Yes. We must. And we have an
incredible opportunity in front of
us.
They all flip to the first page and we see...
JORDAN.
JOHN O'NEIL (CONT'D)
We believe we have a real chance.
HORST DASSLER
Very good.
PHIL KNIGHT (V.O.)
Anyone else?
STRASSER (V.O.)
Well...
EXT. CONVERSE HEADQUARTERS - DAY
NORTH READING, MASSACHUSETTS. A towering brick artifice. A
refurbished factory. CONVERSE HQ. Their STAR logo imprinted
on the building.
35.
"CONVERSE ALL STAR" in big letters. Coincidentally, or
perhaps not, it describes the type of players they endorse.
INT. CONVERSE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
JOHN O'NEIL - CEO and JOE DEAN - VP of Basketball. Converse's
top execs. The guys who signed Bird and Magic.
Their big board. OLAJUWON is already circled. The top name on
the list. They don't fuck around.
Continue down the list. BOWIE is already crossed out. The
next name is unavoidable: JORDAN.
They look at each other. Nod.
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - DAY
PHIL KNIGHT
So everyone's in.
SONNY
Yeah... everyone's in.
PHIL KNIGHT
Can we get a meeting?
STRASSER
You're signing off on this?
PHIL KNIGHT
I didn't say that. I said can we
get a meeting?
CUT TO:
DAVID FALK
No.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Sonny's on with Falk. The twisted phone cord wrapped around
his clenched his fist. Trying to play it cool.
INTERCUT with Falk in his office. It's late.
SONNY
Falk. Come on.
36.
DAVID FALK
Submit an offer and then we can
talk meeting.
SONNY
I just had Phil give the exact
opposite order.
DAVID FALK
Chicken or the egg?
SONNY
(biting his lip before...)
The offer is 250k.
DAVID FALK
No shit.
SONNY
Shit.
DAVID FALK
Can you get me that in writing?
SONNY
Do you need it?
DAVID FALK
It's not an offer if it's not in
writing. It's a long ass plane
ride. Why can't you get a base on
the east coast like a normal
company?
SONNY
They love it here.
DAVID FALK
Well, great, I'm glad they're
happy.
SONNY
How're the parents?
DAVID FALK
Good family. No funny business. No
clingers. Smart as hell. You're not
going to pull any bullshit on them.
They don't want to be sold to.
SONNY
Are they home now? In Carolina?
37.
DAVID FALK
Why?
SONNY
I'm just asking.
DAVID FALK
You don't need to call them. That'd
be extremely unprofessional.
SONNY
So is outright refusing a meeting.
DAVID FALK
That's just business.
SONNY
Let me ask you something. Why does
Michael want Adidas?
DAVID FALK
Sonny.
SONNY
Why does Michael want Adidas?
DAVID FALK
Because he likes their tracksuits.
SONNY
Come on.
DAVID FALK
I'm serious.
SONNY
We will give him every tracksuit
he's ever wanted.
DAVID FALK
He's a kid. He's not thinking about
what he will have, he's thinking
about what he doesn't have right
now.
SONNY
How'd you sign him? He could have
gone with anyone. Pro Serv? What'd
you see in him?
DAVID FALK
The exact same things you're
seeing. Let me make some calls.
(MORE)
38.
DAVID FALK (CONT'D)
I'll have an answer for you
tomorrow at the latest.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
Sonny walks into the conference room. Strasser leans back in
his chair and takes a deep breath.
STRASSER
What's the word?
SONNY
Holding pattern. But I think we
have a shot.
STRASSER
Did he ask for an offer?
SONNY
I'm thinking of reaching out to the
parents.
STRASSER
I don't know if--
SONNY
And 250k. That was the offer I gave
him.
STRASSER
Jesus Christ, Sonny.
SONNY
It will get them in the door.
STRASSER
No shit. But it's not real.
SONNY
Should I call the parents?
Sonny SNEEZES and COUGHS. Strasser looks at him. "You OK?"
SONNY (CONT'D)
Just got a cold.
STRASSER
Sounds like a nasty one.
SONNY
Thank you, Doctor. Any
recommendations?
39.
STRASSER
More sleep.
SONNY
Something realistic.
STRASSER
Any sleep.
SONNY
Why does Michael want Adidas?
STRASSER
They have cache. They have style.
They're cool.
SONNY
It's the track suits. That's what
Falk told me. How do we fight
against track suits?
STRASSER
It's not the track suits. Track
suits aren't just track suits.
SONNY
There has to be something. I feel
like if I could just talk to
them...
STRASSER
Don't chase the rabbit, Sonny. It's
not worth it.
SONNY
This isn't a fucking rabbit,
Strass.
STRASSER
How do you know? You're halfway
down the fucking rabbit hole
telling me we're not chasing
rabbits.
SONNY
You run at all?
STRASSER
Run? God no. Why?
SONNY
Phil asked me if I did.
40.
STRASSER
Phil asked you if you run?
SONNY
Yeah.
STRASSER
So what? Everything between you and
him is a fucking game of code.
SONNY
So I'm asking you the same thing.
STRASSER
No. No, I don't run.
SONNY
Why?
STRASSER
Look at me.
SONNY
That was my answer. But you don't
think it's funny? We work at a
running company and we don't run.
STRASSER
Doctors are the people most likely
to smoke. Cops break the laws.
Therapists have the highest rates
of divorce. No, I don't think it's
weird.
(sighs)
You know my birthday's in two days?
What should I ask for?
SONNY
The fuck do I care? A blowjob.
STRASSER
(laughing)
What about a boat?
SONNY
A boat? What the fuck are you going
to do with a boat?
STRASSER
I don't know. Fuck it, maybe I'll
just go for a run.
(getting up)
Alright, I gotta get outta here.
(MORE)
41.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
(off Sonny, not getting
up)
You coming?
SONNY
No, gonna stick around for a little
bit longer. Work on some strategy.
STRASSER
Got some sleep you crazy mother
fucker. And Sonny?
(off Sonny)
Whatever you do, don't call the
parents.
Close on Sonny as the door clicks shut.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Sonny picks up the phone. The DIAL TONE sounds increasingly
loud in the silence of the office.
He hangs up. Leans back in his chair. Thinking.
Picks the phone up again. Dials.
OPERATOR
Operator, how can I connect you?
SONNY
Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan
residence... James Jordan?
OPERATOR
One moment sir.
(after a long beat)
I'm putting you through now.
SONNY
Thanks.
A LONG BEAT. The silence is potent. We're waiting to hear
that first RING.
But before we do...
Sonny hangs up.
Looks out the window. The moon shines bright over the only
car in the parking lot. His.
TIME LAPSE
42.
We hold on the car as the sun rises above it. A new day.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - SONNY'S OFFICE - MORNING
We're angled on the door to Sonny's office. It OPENS.
STRASSER pokes his head in. Raises his eyebrow. We see why...
Sonny's not in the office. Strasser looks back to the
secretary.
STRASSER
Where is he?
SECRETARY
He hasn't been in this morning.
STRASSER
Is he home? He was feeling sick
last night.
SECRETARY
I haven't heard from him.
STRASSER
(looking out the window)
What the hell... his car is in the
parking lot.
A faint RING from down the hall. Strasser looks back. It's
his office phone.
He hustles back. From his form, it's quite clear why he
hasn't taken up running.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - STRASSER'S OFFICE - MORNING
RING. RIN---
He grabs the phone off the cradle. Just in time.
STRASSER
Hello?
SONNY
Strass.
STRASSER
Where the hell are you?
Great question. We're tight on Sonny, so we know as little as
Strasser. But it's clear he's at an indoor PAYPHONE.
43.
SONNY
Listen, I don't have much time.
STRASSER
Sonny what the hell is going on?
SONNY
I need you to hold Phil off. Just
for another day. I... I made up my
mind.
STRASSER
What? On what?
SONNY
I'm going.
STRASSER
Going where??
SONNY
To Carolina.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL--
INT. PDX TERMINAL - DAY
SONNY IS IN THE AIRPORT.
STRASSER
Sonny, no... this is... What
happened to a phone call?
SONNY
You were right. Calling out of the
blue would have been
unprofessional.
STRASSER
So you're going to show up at their
door??
SONNY
I gotta run. I'm about to miss
boarding.
STRASSER
Good!
SONNY
If anyone asks I'm sick.
44.
STRASSER
You are sick.
SONNY
I'll be back for your birthday,
don't worry.
The line clicks dead. Strasser looks like he's seen a ghost.
AND OVER THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE WE...
SMASH TO:
TITLE CARD READS: WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
EXT. WILMINGTON AIRPORT - DAY
Sonny exits the sliding glass doors of the airport.
He looks around. This is a whole other world. A humid August
afternoon. The muggy air of a long Indian Summer.
EXT. RENTAL CAR PARKING LOT - DAY
Sonny walks across the rental lot, trailed by...
RENTAL CAR EMPLOYEE
Sorry, sir! We don't usually get
walkups.
A RENTAL CAR EMPLOYEE, a pimpled college-grad, bad hair gel
and even worse cologne. His Southern accent is so strong it
sounds fake.
SONNY
This is really all you have?
They both turn to see Sonny's rental:
A MINIVAN. Toyota's 1984 "The Van". It looks like a divorced
dad-mobile crossed with an oversized taxi-van. Truly hideous.
RENTAL CAR EMPLOYEE
I kind of like it. My step-dad
drives one.
INT./EXT. - SONNY'S RENTAL CAR - DAY
THE MINIVAN, NOW ON THE HIGHWAY. Cruising down the wooded
freeways of North Carolina. U.S. Highway 117. The Blue Ridge
Mountains off in the distant horizon.
45.
Sonny has a MAP folded out across the entire dashboard. He
looks at the highway exit signs. Examines the map closer.
SONNY
Where in the hell...
Continues down the highway....
INT./EXT. - SONNY'S RENTAL CAR - DAY
He pulls up to a gravel driveway. The low hum of cicadas in
the air.
And gazes upon...
EXT. JORDAN RESIDENCE - DAY
4647 Gordon Road.
A middle-class, split-level house. It's surrounded by woods
on all sides. Patches of shade provide the only respite from
the hot summer sun.
A CAR sits in the front lawn, its hood propped up. As Sonny
approaches, he sees...
JAMES JORDAN, 48, thin mustache, wrench in hand, twisting
something on the engine.
He sticks his tongue out as he concentrates on the inner-
workings of the machine, a habit passed on from his
grandfather.
He finally hears Sonny's footsteps on the gravel. Looks up
and sees the VAN.
JAMES JORDAN
Hell of a ride you got there. Can I
help you?
SONNY
Sorry to bother you... I'm looking
for the Jordans.
JAMES JORDAN
Well, you're in the right place.
SONNY
You must be James.
(reaching out his hand)
Sonny Vaccaro. I'm with Nike.
46.
JAMES JORDAN
Oh, here we go.
DELORIS JORDAN (O.S.)
Who is it?
They both turn to see...
DELORIS JORDAN, 43, bobbed hair, thin frame, small
intelligent eyes.
SONNY
Mrs. Jordan. My name's Sonny
Vaccaro. I'm here with Nike.
DELORIS JORDAN
I believe that Mr. Falk made it
clear that we weren't interested.
SONNY
Yes, I was told not to call.
DELORIS JORDAN
Do you typically make a habit of
showing up at people's front doors
if they don't answer the phone?
SONNY
Only if I feel I have no other
choice.
DELORIS JORDAN
We do have an answering machine.
SONNY
It may be the worst of all my
faults, and, trust me, there are
many, but... I don't like to take
no for an answer. And I believe
Michael should be endorsed by
someone with that same mindset.
A long beat as both Jordans consider. Sonny looks back and
forth between James and Deloris. Does he have a chance?
DELORIS JORDAN
Well, come back and take a seat Mr.
Vaccaro.
Yes. He smiles.
SONNY
Please... call me Sonny.
47.
EXT. JORDAN RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - DAY
Sonny sits alone at a table in the forested backyard.
Waiting. He stares deep into the trees.
Deloris emerges from the back door. Notices Sonny looking at
the trees.
DELORIS JORDAN
Five generations of Jordan have
lived and died in this forest by
the highway. Been here since the
Civil War. Some of these cypress-
tupelos trees are 800-years-old.
SONNY
This place, it seems... personal.
DELORIS JORDAN
Well, every history is deeply
personal, Mr. Vacarro.
(takes a breath and looks
at him)
It's quite presumptuous of you to
show up at our door.
(but....)
But I believe that saying you want
something is fine and well, a good
start, but doing something about it
is what really counts.
SONNY
Is he... here?
DELORIS JORDAN
He is. But you don't need to see
him.
Sonny looks to the house. Michael Jordan is in there. Like a
ghost. You can't see them, but you can always feel them.
DELORIS JORDAN (CONT'D)
How'd you get that name? Sonny.
SONNY
My mother had trouble bearing
children. Went through two
miscarriages. Bad ones. And when it
finally happened... I wasn't easy
either. Delivery took almost twenty-
four hours. She said all she saw
looking up into that hot bright
light in the hospital room was the
sun.
(MORE)
48.
SONNY (CONT'D)
She said it was the first thing
that came to mind when she saw my
face. The sun. Sonny.
DELORIS JORDAN
And is she still with us?
SONNY
She's not.
DELORIS JORDAN
I'm sorry to hear that.
SONNY
It's OK. It was... a long time ago.
DELORIS JORDAN
And your father?
SONNY
Worked in the steel mills. Long
days. Long nights sometimes. Hard
life. But he raised us the best he
could.
DELORIS JORDAN
I find it honorable. To give your
life for your family's. You give
and you give until you have nothing
left to give. Then you give some
more. But it's worth it.
SONNY
You're good at this. Somehow we're
talking about my parents instead of
you.
DELORIS JORDAN
Well, I've had practice. There's no
doubt about that. You do
understand, Mr. Vaccaro, that
Michael's intention is to sign with
Adidas. With Converse as a second
option.
SONNY
I do. And, respectfully, I think
that would be a mistake. Listen...
here's what I want to tell you:
take the Converse and Adidas
meetings. I'll tell you exactly
what they're going to say to you.
What they're going to sell you. And
if I'm wrong...
(MORE)
49.
SONNY (CONT'D)
then don't take the Nike meeting.
But, if I'm right... you and
Michael come.
Deloris smiles. Not explicitly agreeing.
SONNY (CONT'D)
(mock businessman voice)
Mrs. Jordan, it's a pleasure to
meet you.
(back to Sonny voice)
This is Converse by the way. He'll
have his hair gelled up like an
asshole, excuse my French. I'm
guessing a red tie, for the Bulls.
Rolex for sure.
(back to mock voice)
We sure do appreciate you making
the long trip out here. You look
beautiful today, Mrs. Jordan. I've
seen a lot of basketball, and the
feeling I get when I see Michael
play... there are only a few other
players that gave me that feeling.
And those players are here at
Converse... they're the best of the
best. It's that simple. Magic
Johnson. Larry Bird. Michael
Jordan. Those names all belong in
the same sentence. And they belong
at Converse.
(back to Sonny voice)
Now, here's the important part. I
want you to ask them a question.
Will you do that for me?
DELORIS JORDAN
It depends on what the question is,
Mr. Vacarro.
SONNY
How will Michael stand out when
he's next to the best players in
the world? How will he be
different?
DELORIS JORDAN
And what will they say?
SONNY
That he'll be amongst hall of
famers and that's enough.
50.
DELORIS JORDAN
And is it?
SONNY
You tell me what you think your son
is capable of.
DELORIS JORDAN
And what about the Adidas meeting?
Michael's top choice is Adidas.
Sonny thinks about it for a moment.
SONNY
(a different mock
businessman voice)
Mrs. Jordan, welcome to...
DELORIS JORDAN
You can just tell me.
SONNY
(shaken a little, giving a
thin smile)
Here's what they'll tell you: we
have the best shoes. Plain and
simple. You're not going to see
another style like this. All
leather. Converse isn't cool.
Michael, you're the next
generation. You don't want to be
grouped in with Magic and Bird.
They're on the way out. You want to
stand apart.
(takes a breath)
Just to clarify - this is now me
talking not Adidas. They're not
wrong. I get why Michael is
interested in them. But...
DELORIS JORDAN
And what should I ask them?
SONNY
Ask them who's in charge of the
company. Who has the final say?
DELORIS JORDAN
And what will they say?
SONNY
Well, I think four different people
in that room will give you four
different answers.
51.
DELORIS JORDAN
Very well.
(she takes a sip of her
drink)
And, finally... the most important
question.
(off Sonny, who's unsure)
What should I ask you?
Sonny takes a breath. Thinks about. Looks her in the eye.
SONNY
Ask me why I'm in Wilmington, North
Carolina.
DELORIS JORDAN
Why are you in Wilmington, North
Carolina?
SONNY
Because I believe in greatness. I'd
travel anywhere for it. New York,
Beaverton, the moon... or
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Deloris doesn't tip her hand. Her poker face could take her
far in Vegas. Close on Sonny. Did he get her?
DELORIS JORDAN
Well, Mr. Vacarro, thank you for
coming. It was very kind of you to
make the trip all the way out here.
SONNY
Of course.
They get up from the table. Walk back up the driveway,
towards the mouth of the property.
JAMES JORDAN closes the hood on the car. Tries the engine. It
starts. He smiles. A job well-done.
Sonny SWATS away a WASP as he gets close to the van.
DELORIS JORDAN
They're everywhere here. Michael
and his brother shot up a nest just
over there when they were young.
Hundreds of these wasps flew out -
stingers at the ready. The boys had
so many welts. Everywhere. It took
weeks to heal. Thought they might
miss some of the season.
52.
SONNY
But they healed.
DELORIS JORDAN
That's the truth. I believe that,
you know... life is all about what
we do with our pain.
(as Sonny arrives at the
van)
Goodbye, Mr. Vacarro. And good
luck.
Sonny wipes a layer of sweat off his forehead. Nods as he
gets into the front seat. He turns the key to start the car
and...
It SPUTTERS.
Tries again. SPUTTERS.
SONNY
(under his breath)
Shit.
(looking to the Jordans)
Just takes a second.
Deloris and James look back. Nodding.
He tries once more. And...
The engine sputters to life. Barely.
Close on the Jordans as the car drifts away...
EXT. CAROLINA HIGHWAY - DAY
Sonny's back on the 117. He gazes out the window. Cemeteries
and industrial parks. Spanish moss hangs from the trees.
The afternoon sun hangs high, just beginning it's long
descent into night.
Sonny takes an exit. Into a suburban neighborhood. He glides
past cookie cutter homes. Finally parks the car at a curb.
EXT. EMSLEY A. LANEY HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
A big blue sign welcomes him to EMSLEY A LANEY HIGH SCHOOL -
home of the Buccaneers.
CONGRATS SENIORS 84 - GO BUCS spelled out crookedly.
53.
INT. EMSLEY A. LANEY HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY
Sonny wanders the halls. The metal lockers. The art projects.
The trophy cases.
As he drifts past blue and yellow classroom doors, Sonny's
ears perk up, like a dog hearing a distant echo...
The sound of basketballs dribbling against a gym floor.
He presses his way through the wooden doors at the end of the
hall to...
INT. EMSLEY A. LANEY HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - DAY
It's every high school gym you've ever seen. You can smell
it. The aging wooden bleachers, the laundered gym uniforms,
the stale floor.
THE BASKETBALL TEAM scrimmages up and down the court. Looks
to be the JV Squad. All the players lanky and uncoordinated
in their adolescence.
COACH POP HERRING. Tall and slender, his thin black mustache
a shade darker than his skin, stands in the center of the
court, the field general for these boys.
POP HERRING
Pass the ball, Stevens! Man, if I
was half as good as you think you
are then I'd be in the god damn
league.
Sonny smiles as he watches the team run through drills. This
is the game at its purest. Before the complications. Before
money. Before you're told you can't play anymore.
It's just the game. An orange ball going through a hoop.
Pop blows his whistle. Looks at Sonny in the stands. He's
casual. Like he's used to strangers showing up in his gym.
POP HERRING (CONT'D)
Alright, fellas. That's good for
today. We got two-a-days tomorrow.
8am.
SONNY
Coach Herring?
POP HERRING
Can I help you?
54.
SONNY
Yes, I think you can. I wanted to
talk to you about...
Pop rolls his eyes. He's heard this question a hundred times.
POP HERRING
I already told them I'm not doing
any interviews about Michael. No
journalists.
SONNY
Well, I'm not a journalist. My
name's Sonny Vacarro. I'm with
Nike.
POP HERRING
Nike? You come with some free
shoes?
SONNY
No, but I'm sure we could arrange
that.
POP HERRING
You came all the way out here and
didn't bring free shoes?
SONNY
It was a last minute trip.
POP HERRING
Michael's favorite shoes are his
Adidas. You know that already?
SONNY
I do.
POP HERRING
You got five minutes.
INT. EMSLEY A. LANEY HIGH SCHOOL - POP'S OFFICE - DAY
You can learn who a person is by what they keep on their
desk. Pop has seen it all. Been through Carolina wars. The
walls are littered with framed photos, shelves with trophies.
POP HERRING
I know why you're here.
SONNY
You didn't even know who I was.
55.
POP HERRING
I don't need to know who you are to
know what you're doing here.
(a beat)
You want to know why I cut Michael
Jordan.
SONNY
I think that's simplifying the
matter, but...
POP HERRING
Good. Because I'm all about simple.
We complicate simple things all too
often for no damn reason. People
like the narrative... Michael
Jordan cut from his high school
basketball team. But you're a smart
guy. You're an ad man. You know why
people like that story. Because it
means Michael Jordan is a human,
just like them. They like the story
because they can see themselves in
it. If Michael Jordan got cut and
made it... then I can fail and
still make it. But that's just a
story to sell shoes. The truth
is... Michael was always going to
be great. He was already great. You
could tell. And that was the
problem. He knew he was good.
Nah... we saw his talent. But he
was too young. So we put him on JV
so he could grow... so he could
play more. Thought it might light a
fire. Which it did. When people
tell that story... the story that
Michael Jordan was cut from his
high school basketball team... what
they fail to mention is he was back
on Varsity eight months later.
SONNY
What did Michael say when you cut
him?
POP
What do you think? He said he was
quitting basketball.
(laughing)
But that's how he is - takes
everything personally. But it makes
him work harder. That's what makes
him great.
(MORE)
56.
POP (CONT'D)
(leaning back in his
chair)
So, listen. I just told you why you
were here... But let me phrase the
question this way... what are you
looking for here? What are you
trying to find?
SONNY
I don't know.
POP
Confirmation?
SONNY
Could be.
POP
Your five minutes were up two
minutes ago. But let me just say
this: confirmation's a dangerous
thing to go searching for. You
already know Michael's good. That
he's special. You don't need me to
tell you that. You don't need
anyone to tell you that. So what
are you here for? Just so the man
who cut Michael Jordan could look
you in the eye and tell you that
what you're doing is right?
SONNY
I guess so.
POP
Then here you go: I'm the man who
cut Michael Jordan. And what you're
doing is right.
Sonny nods. Takes in what Pop is saying. A moment of shared
silence.
POP (CONT'D)
Free shoes really wouldn't have
hurt though.
INT./EXT. RENTAL CAR - EVENING
Sonny's VAN drifts down the highway... gliding back towards
the airport. He looks into the trees that surround the road.
57.
A Southern night begins to come alive with the low
disembodied drone of insect life. A thin layer of mist
drifting through the trees.
Time moves differently in the woods.
EXT. RENTAL CAR PARKING LOT - EVENING
Sonny pulls the VAN back into the parking lot. Who's waiting
but...
The same employee. Sonny gives a salute as he drops off the
keys.
INT. PLANE - NIGHT
A FLIGHT ATTENDANT rolls the beverage cart down the aisle.
Taking orders. Looks at Sonny.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Peanuts?
SONNY
No thanks.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Drink?
SONNY
Ginger ale please. No ice.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Here you go...
SONNY
You know what? I'll take the
peanuts. Changed my mind.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(smiling)
No problem.
She reaches back into the cart and hands him said peanuts.
Attached to the bag is A PAIR OF PLASTIC CAPTAIN'S WINGS.
Sonny takes them off. Turns the wings in his hands. The gold
plastic shining. Something about it...
He drops them into the front pocket of his shirt. Leans back.
Looks out the window.
58.
Rolling clouds against the purple twilight. Like stock
footage of heaven.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - MORNING
The sun's rising over HQ. Sonny's in the office before
everyone else. Car still in the parking lot. He hasn't gone
home.
Those same eyes open. Tap. Tap. Tap. Waiting by the phone.
RING. RING.
DAVID FALK
You have a lot of balls, you know
that? What the fuck is wrong with
you? You show up at the house?
SONNY
Well, you said it would be
unprofessional to call.
DAVID FALK
(sighs)
What the hell did you say to her?
SONNY
That she should find Michael a new
agent.
DAVID FALK
How's Tuesday?
SONNY
For?
DAVID FALK
They're coming to Beaverton. Don't
make me ask twice.
Sonny covers the receiver. PUMPS HIS FIST.
DAVID FALK (CONT'D)
And don't get ahead of yourself.
Michael's not going to be excited
to be there. I get the sense that
Mom's making him go.
SONNY
I get it.
DAVID FALK
I hope you're ready, Sonny.
59.
Sonny looks out the window, across the vast expanse of Oregon
woods.
Is he ready? He doesn't have time to think about it.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY - DAY
Strasser walks down the hall, coming in for the morning. He
passes Sonny's office. Looks in. Empty.
He shakes his head. Continues down the hall to his office.
Opens his the door to find...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - STRASSER'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny sitting at his desk.
STRASSER
Jesus fucking christ.
SONNY
Pack some pajamas tomorrow. We're
not leaving the office.
STRASSER
Tomorrow's Saturday.
SONNY
Michael Jordan's coming to
Beaverton.
STRASSER
Holy shit.
SONNY
Also, we need to get some shoes to
Pop Herring.
STRASSER
To who? Sonny, Phil hasn't approved
anything.
SONNY
Let me worry about that. Now that
it's official... I thought we could
go see Pete.
Strasser shakes his head. Can't help but to smile. Game on.
60.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - ELEVATOR - DAY
They shuffle into the elevator. Sonny presses the "B" below
"1" and "G". The elevator churns to life and heads...
Down.
Down.
Further down.
DING. The doors open to...
INT. NIKE SHOE LAB - DAY
THE LAB. A shoe head's dream. Computers everywhere. State of
the art (for 1984). Sonny and Strasser snake their way back
to the desk of...
PETER MOORE, LEAD DESIGNER. Peter, 29, is a wizard. A mad
scientist. His laboratory just happens to be in a basement in
Beaverton.
He's prematurely balding, a thin ring of hair all that's left
above his sharp jaunt cheeks. He turns in his swivel chair.
PETER MOORE
Suits?? Down in the cave? To what
do I owe the honor?
SONNY
We need a shoe.
PETER MOORE
I would assume as much.
SONNY
Ideally the most beautiful shoes
you've ever seen.
PETER MOORE
OK, easy enough.
SONNY
We're going up against Converse and
Adidas.
PETER MOORE
Even easier. Gentlemen... step into
my office.
61.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - SHOE LAB - DESIGN ROOM - DAY
Sonny and Strasser trail behind Pete as he sits at the end of
a long table. Shoe designs pinned all over the walls.
SONNY
It has to be individual. Think of
it like this - Converse are plain
shoes, right? Nothing much to them.
Every player wears the same shoe.
The only thing that changes is the
color. The difference with this one
is that instead of having the
athlete wear one of our shoes,
we're going to create the shoe
around the athlete.
PETER MOORE
OK, I see where you're going. The
shoe has to speak to an individual.
Yet it needs to be marketable to a
mass audience.
(thinking)
Tinker will have some ideas. In
fact, he should be in by now...
SONNY
Who?
PETER MOORE
Tinker.
SONNY
Who the fuck is Tinker?
As the words leave his mouth, we hear...
A SKATEBOARD.
TINKER HATFIELD (O.S.)
Am I late?
The Cowboy. From the parking lot. Same designer jacket.
Different designer hat. TINKER HATFIELD.
PETER MOORE
You haven't met?
TINKER HATFIELD
No, sir.
(extending his hand)
The pleasure is mine.
62.
SONNY
Tinker?
PETER MOORE
Started two weeks ago. He's a
wizard.
TINKER HATFIELD
You're too kind, Mr. Moore.
SONNY
You're from the parking lot.
TINKER HATFIELD
Well, I do have a home.
SONNY
Phil sent security to get you.
TINKER HATFIELD
Yeah, I talked them out of it.
SONNY
(shaking his head - who
the hell is this guy?)
Well, I was just telling Pete that
we need to create the most
beautiful sneakers on the planet.
TINKER HATFIELD
OK. Easy enough. Form or function?
SONNY
Uh...
TINKER HATFIELD
Something can be beautiful or it
can be pragmatic. Rarely both. And
even then, the balance is never
perfect.
SONNY
Let's go for form then. At least to
start.
TINKER HATFIELD
Beauty over brains. You know what
they say - poetry only makes the
world bearable, it's engineering
that gets us to the moon.
Sonny's BEEPER starts to sound.
63.
SONNY
Fuck, I'm late.
(looking to Pete and
Tinker)
Take the day to start. We'll check
in tomorrow.
PETER MOORE
Tomorrow's Saturday...
SONNY
(beginning to head out)
And the day after is Sunday.
PETER MOORE
Sonny.
(Sonny turns)
Who's the player? For the shoe?
SONNY
Michael Jordan.
PETER MOORE
Jesus Christ.
Pete's jaw on the floor. Mouth agape as the elevator doors
slide shut in front of Sonny and Strasser.
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny sits across from Phil, who preemptively reaches for the
PLASTIC BASKETBALL on his desk. He moves it away from Sonny,
placing it on the windowsill behind him.
PHIL KNIGHT
So, I hear we have a meeting on
Tuesday.
SONNY
We need a firm offer.
PHIL KNIGHT
And your suggestion is...
SONNY
Our entire budget. 250 this year.
1.5 million over five years.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny, that's just irresponsible.
64.
SONNY
It's not. Converse will offer 100
at least. The Germans could match
250 easily.
PHIL KNIGHT
You really think we can buy him?
SONNY
No. We need to do more. But it
starts with the money. It always
does. The right amount of money can
get you in good with many people.
But the special ones? The special
ones are the ones that you can't
buy.
(deep breath)
I want to give him a percentage of
revenue.
PHIL KNIGHT
No. What are you talking about? No
player has that deal.
SONNY
Exactly.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny, why him? Magic Johnson,
Larry Bird... they don't have that.
SONNY
The game is changing. That's their
agents' fault. We can get out ahead
of this.
PHIL KNIGHT
You told me the same thing when
convincing me to give away shoes to
colleges.
SONNY
The principle still stands: we
can't pay college players, we can't
pay to endorse them, so we give the
shoes directly to the school
because the media is well worth the
cost of a few dozen shoes.
PHIL KNIGHT
We're paying to do so.
SONNY
It's working!
65.
PHIL KNIGHT
Theoretical value that can't
actually be measured.
SONNY
What was my first idea? A high
school all-star game. Pretty soon,
every shoe company in the world is
holding their own branded all-star
game. You think the Adidas Classic
just appeared out of thin air? That
was my idea and I have zero equity
in it. I'm giving away my ideas for
free. This place used to value
ideas. It's been a while since that
was true.
PHIL KNIGHT
Stop seeking attention for
yourself. Self is the enemy. The
self does not exist. Self is a
mirage, a fever dream. To truly
know the self is to forget the
self.
SONNY
Again, if I wanted a meditation
retreat, I'd go sign the Dalai
Lama. Half these kids, probably
more, don't pan out. There are a
thousand reasons why. Don't have
the work ethic. Don't have the
confidence. The mental fortitude.
Their priorities are in other
places. There's no math formula.
That's the point. There's no
science to life. Some people
succeed, others fail. All I can
fucking do is give you my
recommendation. And this is the
strongest one I've ever had.
PHIL KNIGHT
Why are you pressing this? What are
you trying to prove?
SONNY
That I'm right! That I'm right, god
dammit! And that I care. That's the
only reason I do what I do. And I'm
not going to fucking apologize that
I care more than rest of you.
(MORE)
66.
SONNY (CONT'D)
And, by the way, people have been
trying to do exactly what you're
doing to me for the last twenty-two
years.
PHIL KNIGHT
Which is what?
SONNY
Telling me that they don't know
what the fuck it is I do.
(worked up, breathing
heavy)
How much of life is being in the
right place at the right time? The
thing about that moment? You don't
get to choose when and where it
happens. All you can do is
recognize it when it's here. You
don't choose the time... the time
chooses you. So here it is: we're
in the right place and it's the
right time. Now it's just a
question of what the fuck we're
going to do with that opportunity.
PHIL KNIGHT
You know they teach that linear
thinking is nothing but a delusion,
one of the many that keep us
unhappy. Reality is nonlinear. No
future. No past. All is now.
SONNY
Which is why we need to act... now.
He looks up to the WAFFLE IRON on the wall.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Do you want to be the guy that was
great at selling shoes he found in
Japan or do you want to be someone
who changes the world? You can be a
household name in the apparel
industry or you can be a household
name full stop.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny, enough.
SONNY
I, mean, hey, it will be great
speaking at sales seminars the rest
of your life.
(MORE)
67.
SONNY (CONT'D)
It's a good living, who could fault
you? But you want more. I know you
want more because I want more. And
if I want more for a company I
didn't even fucking start then I
sure as hell know that you want
more.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Tell me if I'm wrong.
PHIL KNIGHT
I'm trying to have faith.
SONNY
And what are you doubting?
PHIL KNIGHT
The opposite of faith is not doubt
but certainty. And you're too
certain.
SONNY
There are hills I'm willing to die
on.
PHIL KNIGHT
Give me the weekend. We can always
cancel on Monday. You don't need a
firm offer to prep the rest of the
meeting.
SONNY
It wouldn't hurt.
PHIL KNIGHT
You know the first time I met you I
thought you were in the mob.
SONNY
Phil, I have connections with men
who wear tacky suits, but they're
basketball coaches - not mobsters.
I just want to win. Whether that
makes me the godfather or not is up
to you. But we can still make
Jordan an offer he can't refuse.
Close on Phil. Thinking.
68.
EXT. CONVERSE HEADQUARTERS - DAY
A LIMOUSINE pulls up right in front of the gaping glass doors
of Converse HQ.
Falk steps out first. He looks up at the big CONVERSE logo.
Smiles a shark's smile.
DAVID FALK
Here we are.
The Jordan family gets out of the car. Deloris followed by
James. They turn and wait for Michael to step out. Two long
legs emerge from the car... but we don't see Michael's face.
Waiting for them is... JOHN O'NEIL. He has his hair gelled up
like an asshole. Red tie (for the Bulls). Rolex heavy on his
wrist.
Next to him is JOE DEAN, VP of Marketing.
JOHN O'NEIL
(extending his hand)
Mrs. Jordan, it's a pleasure to
meet you. We sure do appreciate you
making the long trip out here.
INT. CONVERSE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
The lights dimmed in a conference room. Everyone sitting
around the table.
Even though everyone in the room is looking at him. We still
can't see Michael Jordan.
The same CONVERSE COMMERCIAL we saw at the beginning is just
finishing.
LARRY BIRD
You already know what they did for
me. I walked away with the MVP!
"Converse - the official shoe of the NBA!"
The lights go up...
JOE DEAN
I've seen a lot of basketball, and
the feeling I get when I see
Michael play... there are only a
few other players that gave me that
feeling. And those players are here
at Converse...
(MORE)
69.
JOE DEAN (CONT'D)
they're the best of the best. It's
that simple. Magic Johnson. Larry
Bird. Michael Jordan. Those names
all belong in the same sentence.
And they belong at Converse.
JOHN O'NEIL
Michael, we're going to treat you
like our superstars. Before you
even step onto an NBA court.
DAVID FALK
We're looking for a shoe that holds
appeal beyond the basketball court.
JOHN O'NEIL
What could hold more appeal than
the shoe worn by the best players
in the game? Every kid wants to
wear what the stars wear.
Head nods. Fair point.
JAMES JORDAN
What's coming down the pipeline?
What's the new shoe for Michael
going to be?
JOHN O'NEIL
If I may... tradition and history
are paramount at Converse. How does
the saying go? Don't fix something
that's not broken.
DELORIS JORDAN
You have an impressive roster. The
best three players in the league in
Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and
Julius Erving. But the other way to
look at that is... the best Michael
will be with you is number four. No
matter what he does. How do we know
that you're going to put Michael
above them?
Looks around the room. Above them?
JOHN O'NEIL
Well... frankly, ma'am... we're
talking about Magic Johnson and
Larry Bird here.
70.
JAMES JORDAN
Right, so how is he going to stand
out when you have Bird and Magic?
JOE DEAN
He's going to play like them. He's
going to be mentioned in the same
sentence as them. What could be
better than that?
Off Deloris and James... searching for an answer. Posters of
Magic and Bird behind them. Almost towering.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - SHOE LAB - DESIGN ROOM - DAY
Sonny and Strasser flip through designs. Nods of approval.
Setting certain ones aside.
Pete and Tinker watch them carefully. Waiting for any
indication on their work. Did they get it?
Sonny finally sets the papers down. Looks up.
SONNY
What can we do to make it special?
No.
PETER MOORE
What's missing?
SONNY
That's the million and a half
dollar question.
(thinking)
I think they're too bland. There's
too much white - not enough color.
Can we get some more red in there?
PETER MOORE
If we're going by the book they
literally can't have any more
red...
STRASSER
Is that true? What's the actual
rule?
PETER MOORE
51 percent rule. Majority of the
shoe has to be white. NBA is
extremely strict about it. They'll
fine him.
71.
SONNY
The NBA will fine him...
STRASSER
Yes.
PETER MOORE
So no red.
They all turn to Sonny. Still thinking.
STRASSER
Sonny?
SONNY
What about more red.
STRASSER
You just said they'd fine him.
SONNY
Exactly.
STRASSER
(not following)
And... that's a good thing?
SONNY
What if we just pay the fines? It's
only, what, 5k per game? That's
nothing. We can make a commercial
out of it. It will make headlines.
They're going to fine us for being
too colorful.
STRASSER
Huh.
PETER MOORE
OK, we'll go more red. At least to
start.
TINKER HATFIELD
I like the way you think.
SONNY
(looking at Tinker)
You know, I was so caught up on
your first name, that it didn't
occur to me that your last name
sounded familiar. You're not... an
actual Hatfield, are you? Not like
the Hatfield and the McCoys...
72.
TINKER HATFIELD
My Grandfather shot Mccoy. Does
that make me an "actual" Hatfield?
Sonny shakes his head. Holy shit.
SONNY
He teach you to design shoes, too?
TINKER HATFIELD
No. He taught me to ask questions.
Something catches Peter's eye...
PETER MOORE
Let me see those?
SONNY
What?
Moore reaches across the table and into Sonny's shirt
pocket...
THE PILOT WINGS FROM WHEN SONNY FLEW TO CAROLINA.
He turns the plastic in his hand before resting it right in
the center of his palm. And now, it's impossible not to see
the image that's running through Moore's mind...
The center of the wings... a perfect circle... it could
fit...
A basketball.
PETER MOORE
OK, gents, give us another day. I
think we're close.
EXT. PORTLAND ROAD - DAY
Phil Knight walks out from his house. Dressed in running
clothes - Nike shirt, shorts, and shoes. 80's fashion.
Stretching. Fingers to toes. Rotating his ankles. Clockwise
and counter.
A light layer of fog drifting in. Almost mystical.
Why is it so difficult to get started?
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Go.
73.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Sonny and Strasser wander the dark hallways. Weekend at the
office. The entire building seemingly empty.
STRASSER
How are you, me, and Pete the only
ones here on a Saturday?
SONNY
Here's the real question: why do we
divide the week into seven days?
All the other calendar units come
from astronomical cycles. A year is
the time it takes the earth to
orbit the sun once. Months are one
full moon cycle. Days are one
rotation of the earth. But... a
week? You can't even divide 365 by
7. It's a prime number. It has no
correlation to anything.
STRASSER
I don't know.
SONNY
So not wanting to work on a
Saturday is just as arbitrary as
Saturday even existing in the first
place.
They pass a window overlooking the CAFETERIA. Sonny looks out
on the wide expanse of tables and stacked trays. It seems
even bigger when empty.
STRASSER
If this doesn't work... Our jobs
are gone. Our checks are gone.
SONNY
My job is gone. Phil will keep you.
Worst case you can just go work for
Adidas or Converse.
STRASSER
My family is here.
SONNY
Where's here? Beaverton?
STRASSER
Portland.
74.
SONNY
You have geographic inferiority
complex. If Oregon is famous for
anything it's an old trail and
dysentery.
STRASSER
It's American history.
SONNY
It was just a dirt road, Strass.
Same as all the others.
STRASSER
It's home.
SONNY
Home's an illusion. Just like your
job and your security. They're
words we invented so we could sleep
better at night. Besides... I'm the
one who has to worry. What I do...
you can't put it on a resume.
Adidas would hire you in a second.
Me? Not so much.
STRASSER
Who wants a resume? You want to
dress in nice suits like the rest
of us? Sit at tables and discuss
bullshit?
They arrive back to...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM
Sonny sits down. Strasser paces to the window. Looks out
across the wide campus. The parking lot. The forest.
STRASSER
I never imagined this is what we
would become. It feels impossible.
SONNY
The amoeba never imagined it would
evolve into a frog. And that frog
never imagined it would sing. You
can draw a line from the beginning
of time to right now. And it all
feels impossible.
75.
STRASSER
The thing is... I don't know if I'm
proud or depressed as shit. Because
we got to where we wanted. But it
doesn't feel like I thought it
would. Like it was supposed to. It
hasn't solved any of the other
problems.
SONNY
You know the phrase "meaningful
work" didn't even exist until ten
years ago? Used to be a given that
work was miserable but we did it
because we had to. The point is:
it's not supposed to solve anything
else.
STRASSER
I guess not. But they tell you it
will.
SONNY
The problem is believing them. Let
this play out, Strass. Stop
worrying so god damned much. We're
going to change the paradigm with
these.
STRASSER
I mean I'd love to believe that.
But it's just a shoe. And he's just
a player.
SONNY
A shoe is always just shoe until
someone steps into it.
Sonny removes a small square BOX. It's bright pink. He slides
it across the table to Strasser, who opens it to reveal...
A CUPCAKE. A single candle in the top.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Happy birthday, Strass.
Sonny reaches into his pocket for a LIGHTER. Snaps a flame to
life.
STRASSER
How old is this?
SONNY
It's younger than you.
76.
Strasser shakes his head. Smiles. Blows out the candle.
SONNY (CONT'D)
What'd you wish for?
STRASSER
I'm not using my wish on you.
PETER MOORE (O.S.)
Hey... Sonny?
Peter leans against the door.
PETER MOORE (CONT'D)
We're ready.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - SHOE LAB - DAY
Sonny and Strasser follow Moore into the lab, Strasser still
carrying his cupcake. Tinker is straddled across a chair.
PETER MOORE
It's your birthday?
STRASSER
Yes. And don't ask the next
question.
PETER MOORE
Well... Here it is.
And for the first time, we see...
THE AIR JORDAN 1's. They're beautiful. One-of-a-kind.
High-cut. The color blocking giving the appearance that its
made of individual pieces.
The Nike swoosh is displayed prominently, and toward the top
sits the Air Jordan logo, in the shape of the plastic pilot
wings. The shoes look at once timeless and like they've been
sent from the future.
On the bottom: AIR SOLES - made up of concentric circles,
like ripples in a pond.
SONNY
Wow.
STRASSER
Yeah... wow.
77.
TINKER HATFIELD
It has the logic of water. It's
natural. Like the shoe was always
here. Before any of us. Like it
always existed.
SONNY
Let's get prototypes processed
immediately.
TINKER HATFIELD
(sounds like his mouth is
full)
When is he coming again? Tuesday?
They turn to see...
Tinker's eating the cupcake.
TINKER HATFIELD (CONT'D)
This is really good.
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny back across Phil's desk.
PHIL KNIGHT
You were here all weekend?
SONNY
Yeah. To be honest with you, we
were the only ones.
PHIL KNIGHT
Well, it's a big company, Sonny.
We're far past the days of needing
everyone to work through the
weekend.
SONNY
I asked Strasser about that.
PHIL KNIGHT
And what did he say?
SONNY
That this place doesn't feel like
it used to.
PHIL KNIGHT
He's right.
(a beat)
So what would you name it?
78.
SONNY
Name what?
PHIL KNIGHT
Our Michael Jordan Line.
SONNY
You're implying that we're going to
have a Michael Jordan line.
PHIL KNIGHT
If we're going to make him the
offer we're planning to make him
then we damm well better have a
Michael Jordan Line.
SONNY
So we're good?
PHIL KNIGHT
We're good.
SONNY
Full budget?
PHIL KNIGHT
Full budget.
SONNY
How'd you come to that solution?
PHIL KNIGHT
I went for a run.
INT. STRASSER'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny comes blazing into Strasser's office.
SONNY
We need a title. For the line.
STRASSER
You talk to Phil?
SONNY
We need a title.
He looks at Strasser. And that says it all.
STRASSER
Wow. OK. I mean I thought we'd
just keep it simple? Michael
Jordan.
79.
RICHARD (O.S.)
We're signing Michael Jordan?
Sonny and Strasser both turn immediately, heads on a swivel,
to see...
RICHARD - the guy who approached Strasser in the cafeteria.
Standing at the door like he has his hand in the cookie jar.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
We had that meeting scheduled...
About the air sole expansion?
SONNY
We're not signing Michael Jordan.
RICHARD
No, of course not. I figured you
were talking about... uh, the other
Michael Jordan.
STRASSER
Listen...
(trying to remember his
name)
Could we reschedule? I'm sorry.
RICHARD
No, that's totally fine. I... OK.
He nods and leaves the office. Sonny and Strasser get back to
the designs. Until...
RICHARD PEEKS HIS HEAD BACK IN.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Just... speaking strictly
hypothetically here... because
we're not signing Michael Jordan...
but if we're going to be using air
soles in all the shoes... what
about... Air Jordan?
Sonny and Strasser look at each other right away. That's it.
JOHN FISHER (PRELAP)
We have the best shoes. Plain and
simple.
80.
INT. ADIDAS HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
The ADIDAS meeting is in full swing. Deloris, James, and
Michael sitting at the end of the table from the Adidas
execs.
And there's a lot of them. John Fisher and his team along
with the entire Dassler family. A small army.
We still don't see Michael's face.
HORST DASSLER
Michael, you're the next
generation. You don't want to be
grouped in with Magic and Bird.
They're on the way out. You want to
stand apart.
They show Michael SHOE PROTOTYPES.
JOHN FISHER
You're not going to see another
style like this. All leather.
Converse aren't cool any more.
MICHAEL JORDAN
What color could the shoes be?
JOHN FISHER
Well, the NBA has rules on that.
But there are always alternate
versions we could create.
DELORIS JORDAN
What about black shoes? Michael's
favorite colors are black and red.
JOHN FISHER
Well, Michael, we're a family
company. Black shoes... could send
the wrong idea. Not to mention...
black is banned in the NBA. You'd
get fined every game for wearing
those shoes.
DELORIS JORDAN
There are a lot of people at this
table. Who makes the final
decision?
Everyone at the table looks around. And in that split-
second... we already know...
81.
JOHN FISHER
Well, unfortunately, the family is
dealing with a great loss. Not only
a father, but a founder. Kathe is
calling the shots.
KATHE DASSLER
Yes, that's right.
HORST DASSLER
It is collaborative though.
DELORIS JORDAN
Collaborative?
JOHN FISHER
Well, hang on there...
collaborative may not be the right
description.
HORST DASSLER
No, that's what it is. A group
decision.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
Sonny sits with Strasser, Phil, and Pete. Meeting prep. The
night before.
SONNY
People make the most important
decisions in a matter of seconds.
Research shows that on a blind
date, you know within five seconds
whether there will be a second
date. That's it. Walk in the
restaurant. See the other person.
You know. That means we have five
seconds to make sure Michael Jordan
wants a second date.
STRASSER
So people do judge books by their
cover.
SONNY
Of course they do. That doesn't
mean it's the only factor. But it's
the most important one.
STRASSER
Are you saying I should wear my
nicest suit tomorrow?
82.
SONNY
If it makes you confident, wear it.
(moving on)
Phil, you're going to come in seven
minutes after the meeting starts.
STRASSER
Shouldn't Phil be there from the
beginning...?
SONNY
No. That looks desperate. Phil has
a million things going on. But
that's not apparent unless he has
to step in late. Then it really
seems like he's taking time out of
his day.
Everyone looks towards Phil. Waiting for his opinion. Phil
takes a breath. Sighs.
PHIL KNIGHT
He's right.
Sonny keeps going. He knew it.
SONNY
Let's print and bind the shoe
designs.
PETER MOORE
How many?
SONNY
One.
PETER MOORE
Really?
SONNY
Yup. Just one. You diminish the
value the second you have
multiples.
Strasser nods. He's right. Again.
PHIL KNIGHT
(looking at the designs)
I thought the NBA had a rule on
color?
SONNY
They do. We're going to pay the
fines. At least at first.
(MORE)
83.
SONNY (CONT'D)
See how the NBA responds. The press
will cover it. It's free
advertising.
PHIL KNIGHT
Theoretical value can't be
measured...
SONNY
Come on, you have a soft spot for
iconoclasts. You can't deny that.
He aligns with your rebellious
ethos.
Phil gives a thin smile. He's not denying it.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Everyone wants to be a part of the
revolution. Doesn't matter so much
where or what it is. People want to
feel like they're breaking the
rules. Because it's exciting. It's
not the same old thing. Every bored
teenager is going to be asking
their parents for $65 because they
feel like they're breaking the
rules when they're wearing the
shoes. Like they're making a
statement.
STRASSER
I like it.
(looking around)
What else? We have a video.
SONNY
Do we have to show it?
STRASSER
Marketing put good time into it.
Strasser and Peter get up. Sonny sits still. Phil lingers
behind with him.
PHIL KNIGHT
You ready?
SONNY
I think so.
PHIL KNIGHT
You think so?
84.
SONNY
No future. No past. All is now.
PHIL KNIGHT
Buddhist bullshit.
(looks at the clock)
I'll see you in fourteen hours and
seven minutes.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Sonny still at his desk late. Moonlight visible through the
half-drawn blinds. Strasser passes by the doorway, peeks in.
SONNY
What's up?
STRASSER
You should go home. Get some sleep.
There's nothing more you can do at
this point.
SONNY
How are you feeling?
STRASSER
Same way I did seventy-two hours
ago. I think you're fucking crazy.
And I'm now 35 instead of 34.
SONNY
Other than that?
STRASSER
Other than that, I think we're
good. Don't kill yourself over
this. Many have died for less.
SONNY
And some for more.
STRASSER
(under a thin smile)
And some for more.
Hold on Strasser. Waiting to say something. Searching.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
Sonny?
SONNY
Yeah.
85.
STRASSER
You don't have to be right.
(Off Sonny, biting his
lip)
You don't have to be. It's OK if
you're not.
SONNY
Stop with that shit, Strasser.
STRASSER
Say it. You don't have to be right.
SONNY
No.
STRASSER
You don't have to be right.
(a beat)
You don't have to be right.
He brings Sonny in. Wraps his arms around him.
STRASSER (CONT'D)
You've done enough.
TIME LAPSE
The sun rises over Nike.
It's just another day. Another Tuesday in a lifetime of
Tuesdays.
Time is a man-made construct.
EXT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Sonny waits outside in the parking lot.
He stares up into the sky. The bright sun shining. He watches
a plane high in the sky. Just a dot from where he's standing.
It floats through the air in a straight line, as if it was
being pulled by a string.
He breathes in. Breathes out.
A LIMO PULLS UP.
FALK steps out first. Gives Sonny a thin smile and a nod.
Like he can't even believe they're here.
86.
Deloris and James next.
SONNY
You made it.
JAMES JORDAN
Long time no see. You got that van
up here?
SONNY
Had to return it unfortunately.
JAMES JORDAN
Damn shame.
Sonny goes to give Deloris a hug. She takes a step back.
Reaches out her hand. Sonny nods. OK, not an ideal start.
DELORIS JORDAN
(leaning closer to Sonny)
He doesn't want to be here. But
he's going to listen. He promised
me that. So... you have our
attention.
And from behind them... out walks...
MICHAEL JORDAN. You know what he looks like. He doesn't need
description. Jordan is the sun of the solar system that is
any room he's in.
SONNY
Michael or Mike?
MICHAEL JORDAN
Whichever you'd like, Mr. Vacarro.
DELORIS JORDAN
Michael.
Nods. Deloris has spoken. They head through the front doors
to...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - ENTRANCE - DAY
A banner hangs across the entrance: "THE NIKE FAMILY WELCOMES
THE JORDAN FAMILY"
A table with a full spread from Hardee's. A feast. Everything
on the menu. Maybe more.
87.
DELORIS JORDAN
I didn't know they had Hardee's in
Oregon.
JAMES JORDAN
(discreetly)
They don't.
Strasser waits for them by the table.
STRASSER
Take whatever you'd like. Right
this way, Michael.
The party all make their way to...
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
The same conference room Sonny and Strasser have been sitting
in over the past few days. They all find their seats.
MICHAEL JORDAN
I'm gonna be honest... I liked the
Lakers. I like Marques Jordan. And
I like Adidas. I like Adidas shoes.
The AJ1's. They look even better in person. High cut leather.
Pristine condition. The red and black almost radiating.
MICHAEL JORDAN (CONT'D)
Wow.
STRASSER
(handing the shoes to
Jordan)
Go ahead, take a look.
PETER MOORE
I know you like the shoes low to
the ground. We skived the
cushioning down so you'll be as
close to the floor as possible. We
can tailor them however you like,
but these are pretty damn low.
(off Jordan, nodding)
The shoe will be designed
specifically for you. We'll build
it off a cast of your foot.
STRASSER
What do you think?
88.
MICHAEL JORDAN
That shoe is red and black.
STRASSER
Yeah.
MICHAEL JORDAN
You have to wear white in the NBA.
STRASSER
Says who? Adidas?
MICHAEL JORDAN
Well, yeah... those are the
rules...
STRASSER
Well, we'll see about that.
PHIL gives a knock at the door and walks in.
PHIL KNIGHT
Hello. I'm sorry I'm running a bit
behind. Phil Knight.
STRASSER
Let's roll the tape...
The lights dim. The projector boots up. And on the screen...
A highlight tape of Jordan's UNC highlights set to the
Pointer Sisters "JUMP".
Sonny watches the Jordan family closely. Examining their
faces for any sign or hint.
And it's clear to him. They look bored. They don't look
impressed.
Sonny looks around. At Strasser. At Phil. We see it in his
eyes. He needs to do something.
SONNY
Hey. Hey. Shut the video off.
Everyone at the table starts to look around. What the hell is
going on?
Sonny stands up. The video abruptly halts.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Hold on. Forget all this. Forget
where we are. Forget Nike.
89.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny...
SONNY
Let's stop with the bullshit.
Sonny looks right at Jordan.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Forget about the shoes. Forget
about the money. You're going to
make so much money that it's not
going to matter. You'll never want
again. Money can buy you almost
anything... but it can't buy you
immortality. That... you have to
earn.
Sonny stares Michael Jordan right in the eye. He's not
scared.
SONNY (CONT'D)
I'm going to look you in the eyes
and tell you the future.
INTERCUT YOUNG MICHAEL PLAYING - HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
SONNY (CONT'D)
You were cut from your high school
basketball team. Willed your way to
the NBA. You're going to win
championships. It's an American
story. And that's why America will
love it.
INTERCUT FLASHES OF THE FUTURE:
The Michael Jordan we all know. Skinny as a rookie, streaking
down the court in iconic Bulls red.
SONNY (CONT'D)
People are going to build you up,
god are they going to. Because when
you're new... We love you. Man, we
build you up into something that
doesn't even exist. The entire
nation is going to say they want to
be like a black man from rural
North Carolina. You're going to
change the god damn world.
Battles with the Bad Boy Pistons. Isaiah Thomas. Heartbreak.
90.
The first title. Beating Magic Johnson. Sobbing with the
Larry O'Brien Trophy.
SONNY (CONT'D)
But you know what? When they've
built you as high as they possibly
can... they're going to tear you
back down. They're going to say,
alright let's find out what's wrong
with you. It's the most cyclical
pattern with fame, we build you
into something that doesn't exist
until we find your flaws and then
we rip you to shreds.
The death of his father. Found murdered in a car.
His retirement from Basketball. Taking hacks in the minors
with the White Sox. Jordan rides the bus.
SONNY (CONT'D)
This person that we built into God
isn't a God, and that makes us feel
better about ourselves, because
we're not Gods. Because that's how
it works. We can't help but fall in
love, we pretend it's something
that it isn't, because we're
flawed.
Coming out of retirement. The "I'm back" press release.
The second three-peat.
Hitting the final shot of his Bulls career. The leap. The
fist pump.
SONNY (CONT'D)
A shoe is just a shoe until
somebody wears it. Context is
everything. Boring running shoe
right? What if I told you it was
the shoe that took the gold medal?
Changes everything. Context is
everything. All we're doing is
providing that context from the
start. A shoe that serves as a
method of expression. A converse
will always just be a converse.
Your name isn't on it. Yeah, you
could be mentioned in the same
sentence as Magic and Bird. But you
know what's better than that?
(off MJ)
(MORE)
91.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Being mentioned all on your own. A
tier of one. We're going to NAME
the shoe after you. No one else has
that. No one. Not Magic. Not Bird.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Everyone at this table will be
forgotten as soon as our time on
this cold spinning rock is over.
Except for you. You will be
remembered forever. Because some
things are eternal.
(a long pause as he goes
for the finish)
You're Michael Jordan... and your
story is going to be the history of
flight.
The lights come up. Strasser looks to Phil and Pete. Holy
shit.
Sonny places the shoe on the table.
PHIL KNIGHT
We've shared our offer with Mr.
Falk. But if you'd like to take a
look...
(he slides stapled paper
across the table)
This would be the largest
endorsement deal in basketball
history.
DAVID FALK
We're expecting others to bid in a
similar range.
PHIL KNIGHT
Yes, thank you, Mr. Falk. My point
stands: Nike has been in search of
a basketball star, and we believe
you are that star, Michael.
DELORIS JORDAN
Well... thank you, Mr. Vaccaro.
(she looks around the
room)
Mr. Knight. Mr. Strasser. Thank
you.
DAVID FALK
We'll be assessing everything
tomorrow. And we should have an
answer for you shortly after that.
92.
Sonny catches their eyes on the way out. Nods.
Everyone waits until the Jordan party is out the door. They
look around.
Sonny is just standing there. Almost in a daze.
STRASSER
Where did that come from?
SONNY
I don't know.
PHIL KNIGHT
I think we got him.
STRASSER
I do too.
PHIL KNIGHT
All we can do is wait for the call.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Moonlight shines through the blinds.
He sits down at his desk. Leans back in his chair. And for
the first time...
Sonny closes his eyes.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - DAY
Those same eyes, now startled awake by...
THE RINGING PHONE.
SONNY
Hello?
DAVID FALK
What the fuck is this? You're
trying to pull a fast one over us?
SONNY
What are you talking about?
DAVID FALK
The contract. Did you think we were
going to just miss the clause? Our
lawyers have six figure retainers.
93.
SONNY
What clause? Falk, what are you...
We can hear Falk flipping through pages over the phone.
DAVID FALK
(reading directly from the
contract)
If Jordan doesn't achieve one of
following three accomplishments --
win Rookie of the Year, become an
All-Star or average 20 points per
game -- in his first three years,
Nike has the option to void the
deal.
SONNY
What the fuck? Falk, this wasn't
me. I had--
DAVID FALK
Well, guess who I just called?
Adidas.
SONNY
Falk, come on. We can work this
out. Don't fuck me here.
DAVID FALK
Fuck you??? I'm not the one who's
trying to slip clauses into the
contract at the twenty-fifth hour.
Besides... they're matching. 250k.
SONNY
You're shitting me.
DAVID FALK
Sorry, Sonny.
SONNY
I thought it wasn't about the
money?
DAVID FALK
Of course it's about the money.
It's always about the money.
SONNY
Hang on. What if we can get him a
percentage of sales?
94.
DAVID FALK
You and I both know that's not
happening.
SONNY
Give me a beat.
DAVID FALK
You have sixty minutes.
SONNY
Give me one-hundred-twenty.
DAVID FALK
Sixty.
Sonny grits his teeth.
INT. NIKE HEADQUARTERS - PHIL'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Sonny barges through the door.
SONNY
Who was it??
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny.
SONNY
You're throwing away the biggest
bargain you'll ever make.
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny... There's nothing
unreasonable in there.
SONNY
Unreasonable is not telling them it
was going to in there. How could
you not let me know??
PHIL KNIGHT
Because we knew this would be your
reaction.
(deep breath)
If they can't accept it, then so be
it. You can't stay at the table too
long. At some point you have to
fold. You're gambling recklessly.
95.
SONNY
Adidas matched. We need to give him
a percentage of sales. I wrote it
in.
Sonny drops the revised contract on Phil's desk.
PHIL KNIGHT
Absolutely not.
SONNY
Phil. We don't have any other
choice.
PHIL KNIGHT
We're breaking too many rules.
Sonny gets up from the chair. Walks over to Phil's wall.
TAKES A FRAME OFF IT.
PHIL KNIGHT (CONT'D)
Sonny...
Sonny turns the frame over. Releases the hatch on the back.
Takes the paper out.
Places it on Phil's desk. Grabs one of Phil's pens. And
circles something. Phil looks down...
It's the NIKE TEN COMMANDMENTS. The circled sentences reads:
BREAK THE RULES: FIGHT THE LAWS.
SONNY
What's the difference between a law
and a rule? Laws are penalties by
governance. Rules are made
arbitrarily by a small group
without any electoral power. You
have no legal recourse to follow
the rules yet they directly
influence and control almost every
facet of our lives. So why are we
taught to follow the rules from the
first day of school? Follow the
rules. You know what the difference
is between you and all the schmucks
out there living in their two
bedroom houses in the suburbs
waking up every morning wondering
where the hell their lives went?
Dreading going to work?
(MORE)
96.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Counting down the days until they
can retire and make it all stop?
They followed the rules and you
didn't.
Sonny holds the commandments back up.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Writing these rules down is easy.
You know what's actually hard? What
actually takes suffering? Living
them. Believing them. Acting like
they're more than just greeting
card aphorisms on an eight-and-a-
half by eleven piece of paper.
(he puts the paper down)
What'd you always tell me about
rules?
PHIL KNIGHT
Sonny...
SONNY
Say it.
PHIL KNIGHT
(reluctantly, sighing)
You are remembered for the rules
you break.
SONNY
It's time to be remembered. Sign
the paper, Phil.
Phil picks up his pen. Looks at Sonny.
Signs the paper.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny on his phone. Waiting as it rings. Until...
DELORIS JORDAN
(from the phone)
Hello?
INTERCUT
SONNY
Mrs. Jordan. Is Michael there?
97.
INT. JORDAN RESIDENCE - KITHCEN - DAY
DELORIS JORDAN
So this time you decided you could
call?
SONNY
It was time sensitive.
DELORIS JORDAN
Let me get him.
A beat as we hear her call for Michael.
MICHAEL JORDAN
Hello?
SONNY
Michael. It's Sonny. From Nike.
MICHAEL JORDAN
I just don't know about these
clauses. It's a lot to live up to.
SONNY
You're going to be rookie of the
year. Trust me.
MICHAEL JORDAN
How do you know?
SONNY
The offense is going to run through
you. Even Hakeem isn't going to
have that. Not right away.
MICHAEL JORDAN
What if I get hurt?
SONNY
Then you'll come back and be an all
star. Adidas will void their
contract if you get hurt - I
promise you that.
MICHAEL JORDAN
I just...
SONNY
OK. Look around you. You're sitting
in your childhood room right now.
MICHAEL JORDAN
I'm in the kitchen.
98.
SONNY
OK, well your childhood room is
upstairs.
Michael laughs.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Think of all those trophies. All
the accolades. No one handed those
to you. You earned them. Despite
the odds... despite everything
against you... you earned them.
We're asking you to take another
risk. Is there a danger in that?
Hell yes, there is. Believe me, I
know. This contract... you're going
to get out of it what you put in.
And I know what you're going to put
in. You'll regret a lot of things
in life... but you're never going
to regret betting on yourself. No
one can take that away from you.
Close on Michael. Biting his lip. Thinking.
INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - DAY
Sonny's back on with Falk.
DAVID FALK
At the buzzer. Always at the
buzzer.
SONNY
Faxing it now. Signed, sealed, and
delivered.
DAVID FALK
Percentage of sales?
SONNY
Read it. I'm told your lawyers have
six figure retainers.
DAVID FALK
Very good.
SONNY
And what about Adidas?
DAVID FALK
They won't give a percentage of
sales.
(MORE)
99.
DAVID FALK (CONT'D)
(Sonny pumps his fist)
They're pivoting.
SONNY
To who?
DAVID FALK
Mel Turpin.
SONNY
(a thin smile)
Interesting.
DAVID FALK
How's Phil feeling?
SONNY
Like a million bucks. Actually a
million and a half.
DAVID FALK
Well, I'd say it's been a pleasure
doing business with you, but it
never really is.
SONNY
You better get me on speed dial. At
least the next five years.
DAVID FALK
Five years, huh? That's a long time
for you to be anywhere.
SONNY
Talk to me next week, I guess. Or
next year. Or the next time you're
representing a once in a generation
talent.
DAVID FALK
I have my eye on Ewing at
Georgetown. What do you think?
SONNY
I think you can get any player in
the world after the deal we just
signed. You're welcome.
Sonny hangs up. Takes a deep breath in. He did it.
100.
INT. PHIL KNIGHT'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Phil sits alone at his desk. Tossing the plastic basketball
up and down.
A KNOCK at the door. He turns to see Sonny standing in the
open frame.
SONNY
You got a second?
PHIL KNIGHT
Were you ever born?
SONNY
Was I ever born?
PHIL KNIGHT
It feels like you just walked in
here one morning. You know, most
people... you can picture them as
children. Kind of get an idea what
their parents were like... how it
shaped who they are today. But
you... I can't imagine you any
different than you are right now
this very moment. You're going to
be sneaking through the pearly
gates of heaven... and the first
thing you'll be looking for is a
6'9 kid with a good jump shot...
and you're going to be looking to
make a deal.
SONNY
You know I thought it was
pronounced "Nicky" the first time I
saw the word.
PHIL KNIGHT
I wanted to call the company
Dimension Six.
SONNY
That's horrible.
PHIL KNIGHT
You think the company still
succeeds if it's named Dimension
Six?
SONNY
Who's to say?
101.
PHIL KNIGHT
We named it after the God of
Victory.
STRASSER
Is that true?
PHIL KNIGHT
No, a team of consultants told us
to choose Nike because people like
four-letter words - but I'd like to
think we would have found it
anyway.
SONNY
What about the swoosh?
PHIL KNIGHT
Well, it's supposed to be a sound.
SONNY
A sound of what?
PHIL KNIGHT
The sound of someone moving past
you.
He shoots at the basket. It misses.
PHIL KNIGHT (CONT'D)
So... we may be out of business...
but you did it. I... might even say
it felt like the old days. Just for
a second there.
(off Sonny)
Do you want to say "I told you so?"
SONNY
No. Maybe tomorrow. We got the
happy ending.
PHIL KNIGHT
Only if you believe in endings.
SONNY
I... I can bullshit you all day,
but... no one else would have hired
me. That's the truth. You're going
to take this place to the top or
you're going to die trying.
PHIL KNIGHT
Damn straight.
102.
SONNY
And, fuck it... you might as well
buy Converse one day.
PHIL KNIGHT
Why?
SONNY
Because you can.
Sonny leaves the room. Phil sits alone, reflecting.
He cracks a smile.
TITLE CARD READS: THREE MONTHS LATER
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
Sonny back at the grocery store.
A BOX OF WHEATIES....
Michael Jordan is on the cover. Holding Nikes.
Sonny smiles. He knows. This is just the beginning.
EXT. VACARRO HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Sonny steps out of the door. Almost like he's sneaking out.
He quietly shuts it behind him.
He's dressed in... sweatpants? And a drab gray nike
sweatshirt.
He leans down. Tries to touch his toes, unsuccessfully.
Breathes in. And it's just about now when we understand...
He's going for a run.
He takes off. Breathing heavy. Faster. Faster.
INTERCUT TITLE CARDS:
Nike's revenue goal in year one of Air Jordan was $3 million.
SONNY SPRINTS DOWN THE STREET. The humid air heavy in his
lungs.
They sold $162 million.
He's panting. Drenched in sweat.
103.
Today, Air Jordan brings in over $3 billion in annual revenue
for Nike.
HE STOPS. Puts his hands on his knees. Gasping for air.
Looks up. The summer sun shining through the leaves.
He looks back...
He only made it a block.
But that's a start.
TITLE CARDS CONTINUE:
Phil Knight retired in 2015 after 51 years serving as CEO and
Chairman of Nike. Nike acquired Converse in 2003.
Rob Strasser left Nike in 1987 to serve as CEO of Adidas
America. He died of a heart attack in 1993.
Sonny was fired from Nike in 1991. He went on to work at
Adidas, where he helped court another once-in-a-generation
talent... Kobe Bryant.
END
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