Was Angel Reese the Right Choice To Kickstart Reebok’s Revival Under Shaquille O’Neal?

In the world of professional basketball, it is not rare to see stars aligning themselves with a prominent sneaker brand. From Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s decades-long relationship with Nike to James Harden and Damian Lillard’s tryst with Adidas, partnerships between iconic athletes and such brands can be a transformative experience for both entities. The billion-dollar brand Reebok took the same thought forward and recently brought back Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal under their wing.

Barely days after taking a prominent position with the brand, Shaq decided to make heads turn and choose prominent LSU star Angel Reese as his first athlete signing. Her popularity amongst the current generation of NBA and WNBA enthusiasts surpasses many of her counterparts. Keeping this thought in mind, the following article will delve into whether Angel Reese is the right choice to kickstart Reebok’s revival.

Shaquille O’Neal invites Angel Reese to be a part of Reebok

It all started a few weeks ago when rumors started to spread that Reebok was looking to re-establish its position amongst the other brands involved in the world of sports. With no prominent NBA players under their wing, the need was to get someone who would immediately catch the attention of basketball fans. Reebok succeeded in reaching out to and securing not one but two NBA legends for prominent roles.

Shaquille O’Neal had severed ties with the brand almost 25 years ago. Now, he has returned to assume the newly created position of ‘President of Basketball’. Reebok also brought in former Philadelphia 76ers star and Shaq’s ex-on-court opponent Allen Iverson to the position of ‘Vice President of Basketball’. The news generated a significant amount of buzz, as fans waited to see what major decisions would be taken under the guidance of these two individuals.

Reportedly looking to make a big first impression, Shaq decided to bring in the 21-year-old Reese as his first major athlete signing. Reese will be partnering up with Reebok under an NIL contract, which will allow the brand to use her name, image, and likeness to sell their products.

“For my first appointment in this role, it had to be the GOAT,” said Shaquille O’Neal in his official statement. “There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese.”

It didn’t take long for the LSU athlete to come out with her own statement. “I am honoured to be working closely with one of my longtime mentors, Shaq along with a brand that I have admired since I was just a little kid,” said Angel Reese. “Together, I think we have a great opportunity to do things differently, to inspire people to explore and express themselves unapologetically, and to show them how to look and feel good while doing it.”

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This is not the first time the 21-year-old has entered into an NIL contract with a renowned brand. She has similar deals with PlayStation, McDonald’s, Coach, Outback Steakhouse, Amazon and many more.

What developments will take place from the Angel Reese-Reebok Deal?

While it is too early to state the developments that will take place in the aftermath of this deal, a few sources have started to report on the same. Reese’s NIL deal will launch a line of “Angel’s Picks”. These are a personalized collection of products that the athlete will select herself to be sold using her name. According to an Instagram post shared by both Shaq and Reebok on their official accounts, the collection will be made up of a capsule of styles that is Reese’s preferred choice when spending her time off the basketball court.

“She wears a uniform on the court, now see her hand-picked Reebok uniform she sports off the court,” said the caption alongside the post. Along with that, Reese will work with Reebok to release her very own collection of sneakers and apparel, designed under her supervision. This collection can be launched as early as FW24.

Reese has reportedly negotiated with the brand to ensure that her Angel C. Reese Foundation gets some benefits from this deal. The foundation serves as a medium to provide opportunities to women through education, sports, financial literacy, etc. Given that the apparel brand is reportedly a “big advocate for youth movement and equality” according to Reese, she wants to ensure that Reebok will work alongside her on supporting her philanthropic endeavours.

Is Angel Reese the right choice?

Angel Reese is one of the biggest names that dominate the world of female basketball at the moment. She is coming off the best year of her burgeoning basketball career. She helped the LSU Tigers win a National Championship. It led to her being named as the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. If there is anyone who is guaranteed to make an entry into the WNBA after completing her college career, then it is Angel Reese.

Having such a dominant force as their face is sure to earn Reebok some brownie points. Linking her image and name to their products is sure to appeal to the current generation of basketball fans who wish to associate themselves with the charisma and dominant personality possessed by Reese. The popularity of said products will only grow once she makes her entry into the WNBA.

Die-hard Shaquille O’Neal fans are well aware of the bond that the NBA legend shares with the LSU player. From defending Reese against derogatory remarks on Twitter to sending out supportive messages to each other, the two almost qualify as a father-daughter duo. It also helps that the NBA legend is an LSU alumnus. Shaq has never failed to refer to the young athlete as a ‘GOAT’. He appreciates Reese not only for her personality but also for her game skills. Reese is also known to share a close bond with Shaq’s 17-year-old daughter Me’arah O’Neal, who might be joining the LSU Tigers soon.

Having such a bond will definitely be a key factor in Reebok’s revival process. The two can work together and be open with their opinions to make Reebok stand out against its competitors. More effective collaborations, innovative product development, and strategic marketing efforts can take place. By aligning the duo, fans of the former and current generation of basketball players will be more inclined to spend their money on Reebok apparel.

Combining Reebok’s marketing strategy with Reese’s philanthropic efforts can help to provide more credibility to the brand and increase its products’ importance amongst consumers.

Reebok has managed to bring one of the ‘world’s 50 Most Marketable (50MM) Athletes’ to their circle. This could reportedly be one of the best decisions that has been taken by them. Placing her under Shaquille O’Neal’s leadership is a strategic move that holds immense potential. As Reebok takes bold steps toward a new future in professional sports, both Angel Reese and Shaq stand at the forefront, prepared to lead the way.

READ MORE: Can Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson’s Reunion Help Reebok Restore It’s Pride in Basketball World?

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.