Reebok has officially named Shaquille O’Neal as the President of Reebok Basketball, naming Allen Iverson as his deputy.
The 1990s witnessed a synergetic bond between Reebok and Shaq, a partnership that propelled both entities into the stratosphere of pop culture and sports. This collaboration bore fruit in iconic sneakers like the Shaq Attaq and Shaqnosis, etching Reebok's name into the sneaker Hall of Fame.
However, in a twist of events driven by a chance post-game conversation and his commitment to affordable footwear, Shaq took a path less traveled. He pivoted from the sportswear titan to focus on producing reasonably priced shoes for children, a decision that was both heartwarming and shocking.
The narrative took another interesting turn in 2015 when Shaq, in a strategic move, sold his rights to manage his name and likeness to Authentic Brands Group (ABG). This placed him in a powerful position as the company's second-largest stakeholder. Leveraging this newfound influence, Shaq played a pivotal role in ABG's acquisition of Reebok from adidas in 2022.
Now, as Reebok stands on the cusp of a renewed journey, the expertise and influence of Shaq and Iverson will be pivotal. From athlete recruitment to brand-building initiatives, their collective vision is set to breathe new life into Reebok’s basketball sportswear legacy. The basketball community awaits this dynamic duo's new direction and innovation.