Four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal and his career bring with him some interesting stories that fans discuss even to this day. Be it about his on-court shenanigans or off-court deals, Shaq has always made the extra effort to stand out. With the need to stand out came the need to make decisions that left fans confused. One such decision included a brand that elite athletes like tennis legend Serena Williams are synonymous with.

The period of Shaq being drafted was like no other. There was a line of endorsement pitches coming his way. While this may seem exciting, O’Neal knew what he wanted from an endorsement deal. However, the grandeur of a company’s name was on his checklist. With a clear conscience, he made a choice that left people baffled.

Shaquille O’Neal snubs Nike

During his draft year, Shaquille O’Neal strongly believed that for everyone to remember his name from the word go, he had to make a grand entrance. This meant he wanted his own silhouette and clothing line at stores much before his showcase on the court. He said, “Instead of proving myself first, I wanted to have my name out there first to improve myself later.”

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Having said that, Shaq had to choose between Nike and Reebok. With the likes of Michael Jordan associated with the brand, Nike was the frontrunner in the sports business. However, this meant that he wouldn’t have what he wished for. Reebok, on the other hand, was fulfilling his demands. So the obvious choice was Reebok.

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But with a businessman-like mind, Shaq wanted more money from Reebok. Despite knowing that he would sign with Reebok, Shaq showed up at the Nike endorsement pitch. Immediately Reebok increased the amount they were offering. It is important to note that Shaq was wearing a Reebok-dominated outfit when he showed up to the meeting with Nike.

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He signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Reebok. Thereby snubbing an elite brand like Nike along with the company of some of the best athletes around the world like Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, and so forth In an interview, Shaq said, “Nike had one of the best players in the world in Michael Jordan, and that day Reebok got one, too.” 

However, he later ended his contract with Reebok to make affordable signature shoes for his fans.

What’s your take on this Shaq story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.