Legends and soles The memoir of an American original

Vaccaro, one of the most influential sports-marketing executives in basketball, aims to set the record straight with this full accounting of his life. Born in 1939 in a Pennsylvania mill town, the athletic and charismatic Vaccaro developed a gift for promoting events. In 1965, he organized the first high-school all-star basketball game, the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic, which ran until 2007, and his gifts for recognizing talent and networking with coaches eventually led him to Nike. There, he was integral to one of the landmark moments in sports history: creating the first Air Jordan shoe and signing Michael Jordan to an unprecedented shoe deal. While his exploits in the athletic-shoe industry are legendary, he also advocated for college players to receive compensation from the NCAA for their name, image, and likeness. In this heartfelt accounting by a man who values loyalty, honesty, and friendship, Vaccaro writes candidly about his successes and setbacks. While the book is a tad over emotional and repetitive at times, Vaccaro's incredible life story is a must-read for sneakerheads, basketball fans, and marketing students alike.