AIR features an all-star cast, including as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and as Deloris Jordan.

Source: https://www.iconvsicon.com/2023/02/09/ben-affleck-and-matt-damon-reunite-in-first-trailer-for-nike-michael-jordan-drama-air/

A key "Air" theme is that these events — which still reverberate as name, image and likeness deals change the shape of NCAA sports — went down the way they did because Deloris Jordan knew exactly what her son was worth.

Source: https://m.startribune.com/review-air-poses-matt-damon-against-viola-davis-guess-who-wins-nike-ben-affleck-michael-jordan/600264370/

Although he does not appear in the film, Jordan himself allegedly gave the script his blessing and even insisted that Affleck cast Viola Davis as his mother Deloris.

Source: https://mashable.com/article/how-to-watch-ben-affleck-air

“A shoe is just a shoe… until my son steps in it,” Jordan’s formidable mother Deloris (Viola Davis) reminds Nike, coining her elegant alternative to the Tidwell mantra.

Source: https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2023/04/07/film-talk-latest-movie-releases--damaffleck-are-hoping-new-nike-flick-is-a-shoe-in/

Davis was Michael Jordan’s personal request for casting his mother, and the screenplay centers her in a way both befitting the actress and for Deloris Jordan herself.

Source: https://georgetownvoice.com/2023/04/16/air-is-the-perfect-sneakerhead-movie/

Deloris was born in 1940.

Source: https://variety.com/2023/film/news/air-sxsw-ben-affleck-michael-jordan-1235558722/

The family is ever so appreciative of the caregivers who graciously and tirelessly cared for Fran over the past 9 years: Dale, Deloris, Annie, Ethel, Debra, Gail, and Pearl.

Source: https://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/2023/08/fran-beals-edgefield-sc/

The film is primarily driven by conversations between Matt Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro, Affleck’s Phil Knight, Chris Tucker’s Howard White, and Viola Davis’ Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan’s beloved mother.

Source: https://screenrant.com/air-movie-nike-charles-barkley-trash-talking-true-story/

The men slowly learn that to sign Jordan, the most important person they need to win over is Michael’s mother, Deloris (Viola Davis).

Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/best-dramas-2023-so-far/

Whoopi Goldberg plays Las Vegas showgirl Deloris Van Cartier who returns as Sister Mary to teach music to a group of students, whose Catholic school is threatened for closure.

Source: https://afro.com/top-5-memorable-black-educators-in-tv-and-film/