From Lip-Syncing to Crashing Interviews, How Did Shaquille O’Neal Spend Award-Winning FNAA ‘Shoe Oscars’ Evening?

The 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards were in New York on Wednesday with a big persona. Dubbed the ‘Shoe Oscars,’ Reebok’s newest exec, Shaquille O’Neal strutted into the event and took over like the NBA’s most dominant center he was. From the red carpet to the main award of the night, O’Neal shone everywhere. And it was the typical Shaq-anigans that were the highlight of the ‘Shoe Oscars’.

Shaquille O’Neal donned a nice suit, a dapper fedora, and matching deep blue Reebok shoes for his night at the 37th annual FN Achievement Awards. The new president of Reebok’s basketball division was a presenter at the event. He was missing his vice president, Allen Iverson, but he had other company for the night.

It wasn’t just Snoop Dogg, it was also Jessica Simpson. The prankster that he is, Shaq crashed her red carpet interview while she was breaking down her look. He let her say her acceptance speech for the Icon Award, but on the red carpet, he had to come over and serenade her with her own 1999 song, “I Wanna Love You Forever“.

He dished that was his wedding song when he married Shaunie Henderson. After singing a line to Simpson, O’Neal proved to her and everyone he had it on his playlist. He even soulfully lip-synced to his favorite part, “You set my soul at ease, chased darkness out of view.” 

She loved the interruption, but he graciously apologized nonetheless. “Sorry to interrupt. She’s my favorite.” Simpson would pose for pictures with O’Neal after showing off her shoes from her label.

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Shaq, too, was sporting his own brand. He wore the $35 Reebok Classic Leather Shoes which had detailing on the leather and the logo, blue lace-up closures, and white rubber soles. The non-slip tread is one of the highlights of this design. It stood out against the lighter plaid suit. His biggest business, Authentic Brands Group, is one of the many sponsors behind the FNAA. But Shaq was there in more than official capacity.

Shaquille O’Neal highlights Reebok’s revival at FNAA

The FNAA recognizes the biggest names in style, branding, and philanthropy within the footwear industry. ABG was one of the sponsors and honorees of the night. As the second biggest shareholder of ABG, O’Neal presented the Company of the Year Award to ABG and his business partner and ABG founder, Jamie Salter, someone he dubbed the “Shaq of the fashion and business.”

This was the third time ABG snagged the award and for the right reasons. One of them is the turnaround it’s bringing to Reebok. Salter revealed at FNAA that it was Shaq who provoked the Reebok acquisition from Adidas in 2021. “[Reebok] was all my idea, right Jamie? That’s right,” Shaq joked while presenting the award to Salter.

O’Neal had been the first athlete with a signature shoe under Reebok until he parted ways with the brand later in his career. Since its acquisition for about $2.5 billion, Authentic placed Shaq and AI as the leaders of its basketball division.

One of the Shaq-isms at ABG was making the holidays special through the ‘Shaq-a-Claus.’ O’Neal disclosed they will give shoes, clothes, and whatever people might need for the holidays through this initiative. The FNAA became the Shaq event. Which is your favorite Shaq moment from the night?

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