Sonny Vaccaro, Who Helped Shoe Companies Dominate Basketball, Shoots for Redemption

Posted Apr 16, 2015
The man who made a career out of commercializing basketball is trying to dial it back. Sonny Vaccaro, a veteran consultant to the likes of Nike, Adidas and Reebok, is leading something of a campaign to rehabilitate his image in youth basketball, as criticism of corporate involvement in the sport continues to mount. A documentary on Mr. Vaccaro’s career — an ESPN Films “30 for 30” production called “Sole Man” — debuts this month, detailing his evolution from shoe company pitchman to outspoken critic of the NCAA. (Wall Street Journal)

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