Shaquille O’Neal has rejoined Reebok 25 years after rejecting a humungous $40 million deal. O’Neal’s partnership with Reebok started in 1992 when he agreed to a multi-year, $15 million contract with the company. He later introduced the well-known Shaq Attaq and Shaqnosis shoes for Reebok, and he wore Reebok during his whole NBA career.
He has seen it all in his life from rags to riches and claimed that the Reebok sneaker deal is his “best” business story. O’Neal claimed the woman called him a “mother-ker” for asking for such a high price for shoes for small children.
“I had $2,000 in my pocket. Shaq said, ‘Lady I don’t make the prices. Here you go, and she smacked the money out of my hand, [and said], ‘Why don’t you motherf–kers make a shoe that’s affordable?’”
O’Neal had a lightbulb moment after receiving the reprimand and decided to reject his $40 million, 5-year offer from Reebok. But after 25 long years, he has decided to join them back. This time with a goal in his mind, to provide to the community and to support the upcoming talents in the world.
Shaq is taking over as President of Reebok Basketball 😳🔥
He lead the brand’s basketball category strategy and cultivate partnerships with athletes 👏 pic.twitter.com/leELqIeIV6
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 12, 2023
Shaq will be leading the brand’s basketball category strategy and cultivating partnerships with athletes. This was one of the important conditions Shaq put forth before rejoining the brand. He has always been the one to give back to his community. This deal will be no different as his main goal is to provide for his community.
Shaquille O’Neal will partner up with Allen Iverson at Reebok
Reebok not only gets one High-Profile athlete, but they also get two world-renowned athletes Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson. To fill newly formed managerial positions, Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson are returning to Reebok, the organization for which they served as ambassadors during their Hall of Fame playing careers.
Iverson will be O’Neal’s vice president. Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky, who joined the organization in 1992, the same year O’Neal was signed as a rookie with the Orlando Magic, said the following to Boardroom:
“Being at the company for such a long time, one of the things I’m most proud about, is a lot of brands have relationships with their athletes and endorsers. Usually, they’re giving them products in perpetuity and having them come to events and appearances. With this, we’re actually bringing two of our legacy athletes together and having them be in real management positions within our company. … It’s a new move in our industry that hasn’t been done before.”
Allen Iverson has also been appointed as Vice President of Reebok Basketball where he will help drive player recruitment, grassroots and community-based initiatives, and athlete activations like the Iverson Classic 🙌 https://t.co/b1iIpxT3Wc pic.twitter.com/mOjifc14cC
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 12, 2023
Allen Iverson’s role as a vice president will help drive player recruitment, grassroots and community-based initiatives, and athlete activations like the Iverson Classic. This off-the-pitch combination between Shaq and Iverson will bring Reebok’s status back on track in the industry.