Allen Iverson Credits LIV Golf Star for Key Contribution to His & Shaquille O’Neal’s Business Operation

Allen Iverson has never been a man to avoid breaking barriers. AI’s impact went beyond the hardwood, be it his signature crossover or his acceptance of hip-hop as part of NBA culture. Iverson transformed his sports fashion in the late ’90s and early 2000s rocking cornrows and tattoos, big jerseys, and baggy jeans. But now with a twist, Iverson has embraced social media and mixed a little bit of his famous influence into the world of sportswear.

In a recent Instagram post, Iverson credited Bryson DeChambeau and his LIV Golf team ‘Crushers’ for their partnership with Reebok, marking a significant step in the brand’s re-entry into the golf apparel and footwear market.

With Reebok, DeChambeau is championing a new way of golf fashion. On top of that, DeChambeau and fellow LIV star Brooks Koepka will play against PGA Tour players Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in Showdown at Shadow Creek on December 17, with some of the new Reebok products included.

Interestingly, the new shoes and apparel have been designed by none other than DeChambeau’s Crushers squad, consisting of Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, and Anirban Lahiri. The brand has also decided that it will launch golf-specific shoes which is a part of its new Nano Golf collection in March.

“I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with Reebok Golf as their lead man. They’re not afraid of being a little bit irreverent, and I think that’s the cool piece about it. We’re looking to do something a little different in the golf market and modernize it,” said DeChambeau as per Golf Digest.

This praise by Iverson comes at a time when he along with Shaquille O’Neal is at a focal point of managing Reebok’s basketball ventures. Back in October, it was announced that Shaquille O’Neal was Reebok’s first president of basketball, whereas Iverson was made the brand’s vice president of basketball. However, they have been linked with the brand for ages.

Iverson’s signature “Answer” sneakers became a cultural phenomenon, cementing his place as a style icon. Similarly, O’Neal’s enduring partnership with Reebok has brought classic designs like the “Shaqnosis” into the limelight.

“We are thrilled to be expanding upon our partnership with Shaquille with this historic appointment. With the combination of his deep-rooted history with Reebok and reigning influence he’s made on the game, there is no one better than this guy to take the helm and lead our brand back to reclaiming its rightful place and dominance in basketball,” said Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky.

With Iverson, Shaq, and Bryson DeChambeau championing Reebok’s vision, the brand’s resurgence is more than just a relaunch—it’s a redefinition of what sportswear can be, As Iverson once changed the game on and off the court, he now lends his voice to shaping a new era in athletic style. However even though Shaq’s partnership with the sports brand is blooming right now, there’s a time when he left it.

When Shaquille O’Neal left Reebok

O’Neal partnered with Reebok in 1992 during his rookie year in the NBA. The collaboration gave birth to the iconic “Shaq Attaq” sneaker line, which quickly became a staple among fans. However, despite the success, the seven-footer’s relationship with Reebok eventually came to an end.

According to an episode of the “Full Send” podcast, Shaq revealed that an encounter with a mother made him realize how pricey his shoes were. From then the Lakers veteran set his desire to to align his brand with affordability and accessibility, especially for his younger fans who couldn’t afford high-end sneakers.

“That day, I cut ties with Reebok. I said keep the money… this ain’t right. I’ll still wear the shoes I do during the season, but I’ll be looking to do my own thing. So, I started the Shaq brand. I went to my favorite store, Walmart, and we did a deal,” said Shaq during the podcast.

The seven-footer went on to collaborate with Walmart and release a new line of shoes called ‘Shaq‘ in the price point from $29-$19 and has sold more than 400 million pairs till now.

“It’s not that kids don’t want to wear $20 shoes. They don’t want to wear shoes that look like they cost $20,” said Shaq, The move not only showcased his entrepreneurial spirit but also cemented his legacy as a player who cared deeply about his community and fans.