Is Sonny Vaccaro Still Alive? Where is He Now?
by A Maria | Updated May 22, 2023
Who is Sonny Vaccaro?
John Paul Vincent "Sonny" Vaccaro, born on September 23, 1939, is a former American sports marketing executive. He currently resides in Santa Monica, California. Vaccaro's remarkable career and influence in the sports industry were the focus of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled "Sole Man," which aired on April 16, 2015. The documentary shed light on the "corrosive effect of pumping so much marketing money into the college game."
Notably, Vaccaro's involvement in signing Michael Jordan to Nike and the subsequent creation of the Air Jordan brand caught the attention of renowned actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. They produced a film called "Air" that revolves around Vaccaro's endeavors. In the film, Damon portrays the character of Sonny Vaccaro. This film serves as a tribute to the pivotal role Vaccaro played in shaping the athletic shoe industry and popularizing the Air Jordan brand.
Is Sonny Vaccaro Still Alive?
John Paul Vincent Vaccaro, widely recognized as Sonny Vaccaro, is an esteemed former sports marketing executive hailing from the United States. With a notable career in the field, Vaccaro played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of sports marketing. Born on September 23, 1939, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the industry.
Currently, Vaccaro calls Santa Monica, California, his home, where he continues to contribute to the sports community and engage in various endeavors. Throughout his illustrious career, Sonny Vaccaro made significant contributions to the sports marketing realm, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. With his innovative approach and keen understanding of the market, he played a crucial role in forging partnerships between athletic brands and top-tier athletes.
Vaccaro's work has been instrumental in elevating the profile of numerous athletes and revolutionizing the marketing strategies employed in the sports world. As a prominent figure in the industry, his insights and contributions continue to be highly regarded, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in sports marketing.
Is Sonny Vaccaro Still With Nike?
Sonny Vaccaro's departure from Nike came about when he expressed his intention to pursue independent business ventures, separate from the company. This decision did not align with the views of Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, who took it upon himself to address the matter. Reports indicate that Sonny and Phil briefly discussed Sonny's latest venture, which involved creating product endorsement packages for coaches and athletes.
It was during this period that Phil made the decision to terminate Sonny's employment. According to sources, Sonny was taken aback by Phil's sudden change of stance. He was perplexed by the turn of events and eventually realized that Phil had intended to gradually phase him out of Nike from the beginning. It is worth noting that Phil Knight retired from Nike in 2016.
Where is Sonny Vaccaro now?
Sonny Vaccaro lives in California with his wife. Following his departure from Nike in 1994, Sonny Vaccaro went on to join competing sports companies Adidas and later Reebok. However, in 2007, he left Reebok and has not been employed by another company since then. Currently, Vaccaro resides in California with his wife.
During his career, Vaccaro encountered a notable incident. After his termination from Nike, he claimed to have been investigated by the FBI for corporate espionage. However, no charges were ultimately filed against him. One of Vaccaro's significant contributions to the basketball world came through the establishment of the ABCD Camp in 1984.
Sonny Vaccaro Michael Jordan
In 2015, Michael Jordan shared his perspective on the events leading up to his deal with Nike in an interview with USA Today. He clarified that while Sonny Vaccaro often takes credit, it was actually George Raveling who played a significant role. Raveling, who had been an assistant coach under Bob Knight during the 1984 Olympics, consistently advocated for Nike and encouraged Jordan to consider joining the brand.
It was Raveling who introduced Jordan to Sonny Vaccaro in Los Angeles, although at the time, Jordan was not familiar with Vaccaro personally. Jordan explained, "I knew of him, but I never really met him." Contrary to popular belief, Jordan emphasized that Vaccaro did not influence his decision to sign with Nike. Instead, Vaccaro presented him with a proposed deal and discussed it with David Falk, Jordan's agent at the time.
Jordan perceived that Sonny Vaccaro had been unaware of the type of player and person he was and that Vaccaro's focus was on finding someone who would fit the mold for the Air Jordan brand. However, Vaccaro had watched Jordan play in the McDonald's All-American Games and had knowledge of other young athletes. Although Vaccaro had limited contact with Jordan during his high school and college years, he followed his career closely.
In response to statements made by his former colleagues, Vaccaro expressed his own views. He claimed that Phil Knight, Michael Jordan, and George Raveling were all distorting the truth and attempting to rewrite history. Vaccaro particularly emphasized his importance to Nike, stating, "I am the savior of Nike." He also mentioned his ongoing relationship with Jordan, noting that they remained on good terms and would even tease each other at All-Star games.
Sonny Vaccaro Wife
It is worth noting for visitors that Sonny and Nancy Schiffaeur were married in 1961, several years prior to Sonny's career as a sports executive at Nike. Their relationship was reportedly strong, and Nancy was highly supportive of Sonny's endeavors, particularly when he co-founded the Roundball Classic in 1964, which showcased some of the top college basketball events in the nation at that time. The couple resided in Trafford, Pennsylvania, where Sonny worked as a teacher.
They were blessed with two daughters and two sons, making them proud parents of four children. However, their marital bliss began to encounter difficulties, leading Sonny and Nancy to make the mutual decision that divorce was the best solution. Consequently, in 1979, they finalized their divorce agreement.
Does Sonny Vaccaro Have Children?
Yes, Sonny Vaccaro is a proud father of four children whom he shares with Nancy Schiffaeur, his former spouse. While Sonny and Nancy have chosen to keep their children's identities undisclosed, it is known that they have two daughters and two sons.
Despite Sonny and Nancy's separation, their children have remained close to their parents and maintain a strong bond to this day. As time has progressed, the children have grown independent and are actively establishing their own identities. Meanwhile, Sonny currently resides in California with Pamela Monakee, leading a peaceful and private life.
Sonny Vaccaro Net Worth
Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketing executive, and prominent American businessman, has accumulated a net worth of $5 million. His notable career includes a significant role at Nike, where he achieved recognition for securing Michael Jordan's initial shoe endorsement deal.
Following his tenure at Nike, Vaccaro transitioned to positions at Adidas and later Reebok. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in persuading Kobe Bryant to sign with Adidas. Sonny Vaccaro's contributions to the sports industry have made a lasting impact on the endorsement and marketing landscape.
Sonny Vaccaro Career
Vaccaro gained notable recognition during his tenure at Nike, Inc., where he successfully secured Michael Jordan's initial sneaker endorsement deal. After leaving Nike, he ventured into positions at Adidas and later Reebok. In 1984, he co-founded the esteemed ABCD Camp, a renowned showcase for exceptional high school basketball talent, which continued until 2007. The camp featured future basketball stars such as Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James, contributing to its esteemed reputation.
In addition, Vaccaro, alongside his childhood friend Pat DiCesare, established the first national high school All-Star game known as The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic in Pittsburgh in 1965. This prestigious game endured for 43 years, attracting notable alumni including Calvin Murphy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber, Alonzo Mourning, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Patrick Ewing, Rasheed Wallace, and Stephon Marbury.
Vaccaro's close friendship with basketball coach George Raveling took a turn when Raveling became Vaccaro's competitor in the same position at Nike. This rift stemmed from the business dealings of summer high school basketball camps that Vaccaro organized. Interestingly, Raveling had previously served as the best man at Sonny's second wedding. Furthermore, Vaccaro played a significant role in the O'Bannon v. NCAA lawsuit, which resulted in players being granted compensation. He actively contributed to recruiting Ed O'Bannon for the landmark case.
Sonny Vaccaro Phil Knight
The collaboration between Michael Jordan and Nike stands as one of the most legendary partnerships in sports history, elevating the Air Jordan concept to unparalleled fame in both the athletic and fashion realms. This remarkable alliance played a significant role in propelling Michael Jordan's ascent to superstardom. However, a few years ago, a dispute arose among the individuals involved in Jordan's signing back in 1984, centering around the rightful credit for the creation of the immensely valuable Jordan Brand, which is worth billions today.
Sonny Vaccaro, the former basketball advisor of Nike, asserted that he played a pivotal role in the multi-million dollar signing and should be acknowledged as the driving force behind Jordan Brand. However, Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, expressed his disagreement, stating, "The signing of Michael Jordan, yeah, success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan. A lot of people want to take credit for signing Michael Jordan, most obviously Sonny Vaccaro. On ESPN, he said he was the key to the thing. Sonny helped, but he wasn't the MVP in that process."
Despite his strong disagreement with Knight's perspective, Vaccaro retaliated against the Nike founder, asserting that he deserved recognition as the "savior" of the company. Sonny accused Knight of dishonesty, claiming that none of the other board members even desired to sign Jordan and that he played an essential role in bringing the partnership to fruition.
Is Sonny Vaccaro Still Alive - FAQs
Sonny Vaccaro, whose full name is John Paul Vincent Vaccaro, is a former sports marketing executive from the United States. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions and influence in the sports industry.
Sonny Vaccaro was born on September 23, 1939.
Sonny Vaccaro currently resides in Santa Monica, California.
Yes, Sonny Vaccaro's remarkable career and impact in the sports industry were the central focus of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled "Sole Man," which premiered on April 16, 2015. This documentary explored the "corrosive effect of pumping so much marketing money into the college game."
Indeed, renowned actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon produced a film called "Air" that revolves around Sonny Vaccaro's endeavors. In the film, Damon portrays the character of Sonny Vaccaro. This film pays tribute to Vaccaro's pivotal role in shaping the athletic shoe industry, particularly through his involvement in signing Michael Jordan to Nike and the subsequent creation of the iconic Air Jordan brand.