It’s only been a hot second since we had a post here on the ShaqFu Radio blog about our man Shaq becoming President of Basketball Operations at apparel company Reebok. Didn’t take long for the big man to make some big moves. Read on..
It was just a week or so ago (as of this posting) that O’Neal and another former NBA superstar, Allen Iverson returned to the brand. Iverson gets the office next to Shaq, as his hoops-ops vice president. (Not sure they both will have IRL offices, but it’s a cool thought.)
So what’s the big move? Louisiana State University lady basketball player Angel Reese has signed an endorsement deal with Rebook. With the deal, she becomes the brand’s first signing in the “O’Neal era.”
It was Reese that led the Lady Tigers to a national championship, and really put the woman’s game on the radar of hoops fans everywhere. Shaq was there to see it all, being the LSU alum that he is.
Talking about the deal, Shaq said: “For my first appointment in this role, it had to be the GOAT. There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese.”
In the endorsement business, it’s called an “NIL” deal. That means “Name, image and likeness” of the player… Putting Reese’s name and image on upcoming Reebok products.
Reese is pretty stoked about the deal, too. She talked about her thoughts of working with O’Neal and Reebok: “As a former athlete, now that he’s just been announced as their President of Basketball that is inspirational to me. Just being able to see an athlete or former athlete shift from not just being an athlete, but being the President of the brand is something that’s important. I would love to do that one day.”
In her playing days, Reese was the leader of the LSU Tigers squad. For the 2022-23 season, she averaged 23 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. She led the team to the year’s National Championship in a strong game against the University of Iowa.
In that game, Reese famously taunted Clark by pointing at her ring finger in front of the Hawkeyes guard and repeating John Cena’s ‘U can’t see me’ celebration as Clark did in Iowa’s quarterfinals win over Louisville.
Plans for the future? Reese has reportedly told Rebook that she plans to win one more title with LSU and will decide on her future after.
“First to graduate this year, and to win another championship. Then to decide if I’m going to come back to college or go pro. Either one will be a blessing and I’m super excited.”
It’s not clear yet what her deal with Reebok will be worth, but Reese has had all kinds of NIL offers…more than any other college basketball player – male or female. It’s estimated her existing deals with McDonald’s, Sports Illustrated, Outback Steakhouse, Coach and Wingstop are already worth about $1.7 million, according to Front Office Sports.