Sonny Vaccaro: Confessions of a sneaker pimp
Former Nike promoter Sonny Vaccaro launched the "Air Jordan" era when he persuaded NCAA coaches and teams to wear Nike products. But now, he's one of the NCAA's most vocal critics. With March Madness about to begin, Brent speaks with Sonny Vaccaro, a man once known as the "sneaker pimp."
Brent speaks with Sonny Vaccaro, also known as the godfather of basketball sneaker culture, about his "brilliant idea" — his words — to persuade NCAA coaches and teams to wear brand name products like Nike, Adidas and Reebok.
In 2007, Sonny Vaccaro severed ties with shoe companies, criticizing a system he helped create for its extortion of athletes and its detrimental effect on young players' growth.
He was a driving force behind the incredibly lucrative relationship between Nike and Michael Jordan, and an instrumental element in the commercialisation of college sports.
He was also the subject of the ESPN 30-for-30 documentary Sole Man.