Prez and VP - Shaq and AI taking on Reebok Basketball

Two NBA legends are making a triumphant return to the shoe company that played a pivotal role in propelling their off-court stardom. Reebok has appointed Shaquille O'Neal as the President of Basketball and Allen Iverson as his Vice President, as confirmed by Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky in a conversation with Nick DePaula of Boardroom. Krinsky expressed his pride in the enduring relationships that many brands maintain with their athletes and endorsers. In most cases, this involves supplying them with products indefinitely and having them attend events and make appearances. However, Reebok is taking a distinctive approach by placing two of its iconic athletes in genuine managerial positions within the company, creating a unique fusion of legacy and leadership. The decision to bring these two NBA icons into the fold coincides with Reebok's endeavor to reestablish its presence in the basketball market. This initiative follows Reebok's separation from Adidas and its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group in March 2022. Both Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson will play a pivotal role in player recruitment for the brand, with Iverson also spearheading Reebok's involvement in grassroots initiatives. O'Neal outlined his role, emphasizing his intention to leverage his extensive network to forge connections, unite the brand with players, and support the development of these players through their partnership with Reebok. The journey began in 1992 when Reebok introduced its first signature shoe line, the "Shaq Attack," for the burgeoning superstar, Shaquille O'Neal. While O'Neal briefly parted ways with the company in the late 1990s, he made a triumphant return in 2012 to relaunch his iconic shoe line. Allen Iverson made his debut with Reebok in 1996, starting with the "Question" shoes, which eventually evolved into the immensely successful "The Answer" shoe line. Reebok Basketball is gearing up for a full-scale relaunch, anticipated to take place in early 2025. Current NBA players like Josh Richardson of the Miami Heat and Montrezl Harrell of the Philadelphia 76ers have already donned retro Reebok shoes during games. Shaquille O'Neal summed up their approach stating, "We just want to do things differently, which is what we were renowned for back then and a principle we aim to uphold today." Have you had the chance to check out Reebok's Shaq Attaq's or Answer IV's at NRML yet?