In 1992, Reebok made a significant move by signing Shaquille O’Neal, the first overall pick in the NBA draft, as their first signature athlete. This partnership marked a pivotal moment for Reebok, propelling the brand to compete with Nike’s Air Jordan and dominate the sneaker market. With the release of the iconic Shaq Attaq, Reebok reached its peak. In 2023, Shaq returned to the company in an executive role, with the goal of bringing Reebok back to its former glory. His strategy was to follow the tradition of signing an influential athlete, and for him, one person stood out immediately.
A year after O’Neal took over as the president of Reebok’s basketball division, he revealed the first major decision he made: signing Angel Reese. According to Shaq, Reese, who was playing at LSU at the time, was the only person he considered when expanding into women’s sports. Shortly after Shaq and Allen Iverson joined Reebok, they teased the signing of a “GOAT,” and 24 hours later, Angel Reese was introduced as the face of Reebok. At that point, she had signed an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal, and since entering the WNBA as a Chicago Sky rookie, she became the newest signature athlete for the brand.
O’Neal has taken Reese, a fellow LSU alum, under his wing, though he believes in allowing her to maintain independence. He emphasizes that he doesn’t constantly check in, but Reese knows he’s always available to support her. Reese has often spoken about how Shaq was there for her during tough times, including her unexplained absence during LSU’s 2023 season, when she faced various rumors. She credits Shaq for helping her build resilience against criticism.
Reese’s partnership with Reebok led to the launch of her own sneaker and apparel line, “Reebok by Angel.” This marked the beginning of her contributions to the brand under O’Neal’s leadership. Reebok also introduced its first basketball performance shoe in years, the Reebok Engine A, with input from Shaq’s son, Shareef. Reese debuted the new sneaker during a game against the Indiana Fever, while Shaq attended his first WNBA game of the season in person to show his support.
The anticipation surrounding the Reebok Engine A has fueled Shaq’s ambitions for the brand’s revival. Looking ahead, Shaq plans to release Angel Reese’s own signature shoes, positioning her as one of the few active WNBA players with their own sneaker line, and the first Reebok athlete to do so since Rebecca Lobo. This move solidifies Reese as the face of Reebok’s resurgence in the basketball world.
