"Air" casts spotlight on Phil Knight

Inductee Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, speaks during the enshrinement ceremony for the 2012 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass. Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN | 750 The Game

The film “Air” premieres this week, and puts the origin story of Nike and the Jordan brand on full display. Sonny Vaccaro, who is being portrayed by Matt Damon in the movie, came on the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano and talked about Nike co-founder Phil Knight.

“I think he thinks with a single mind,” Vaccaro said of Knight. “I think everything is a point to him and his company are the most important things, and his family obviously. But he’s brilliant. There’s no question about it. He’s a bright man, my God, yes he is.”

Vaccaro went on to say that it’s not just Knight’s ideas, but the fact that he maintained all the success is what is so impressive.

“What he’s done – it’s hard to maintain success. It’s hard to maintain, you know, what you’re going after, and he’s able to do it.”

Success and innovation are maybe what Phil Knight is best known for. Sounds like something I would be interested in when I think of the next Trail Blazers owner.

Listen to the full interview with Sonny Vaccaro here, and catch John Canzano deliver the Bald Faced Truth weekdays 3-6 p.m. exclusively in Portland on 750 The Game.