In 1991, Allen Iverson signed a 10-year contract with Reebok worth $50 million. The Philadelphia 76ers legend has always spoken highly about that decision and not choosing Nike during that period. 10 years after the first deal, AI secured a lifetime deal, which signified the loyalty the brand had for the basketball superstar. Shaquille O’Neal cemented the loyalty when he considered only one man for the VP position in 2023.

Speaking about hiring AI, Shaquille O’Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq, “I want to congratulate you on your new appointment. You know, when Reebok came to me and said,’ Hey we need help in the basketball department’ I thought of one person because I remember when I came in the Reebok we were here and then when you signed, you took it to the next level.“Allen Iverson was happy for the position, but that also brought some unnecessary phone calls.

“But big bro, by you doing that got me more problems. Telling you everybody and their mom,” Allen Iverson said. Shaquille O’Neal completed the sentence and asked if the moms were calling him about shoes. The calls would range from a job at Reebok to being a sponsor for the entire team.

Not just outsiders, even the family members would call up AI for the same reason, and he was tired of answering those calls. “Like I’m talking about damn near every day for the first month that I got that job I had to deal with that.” But, why did Shaquille O’Neal consider Allen Iverson for the job?

Shaquille O’Neal was sure of what Iverson brought to the table

Speaking about the decision earlier this year with Complex, Shaq gave an insight into the decision. “And I was like you know what? I need somebody that helped me build Reebok and AI was the only choice. When I’m out doing my stuff talking to certain people, I could talk to my people. But, I know all the guards, all the shooters, and all the street ball players everybody going to listen to him.”

During the 90s, The Reebok Question and Reebok Answer, both made for Iverson, were two of the best-selling basketball shoes of his era. Plus, the legacy of AI is unmatched as earlier this year, a sculptor in the Legends Walk was another stamp on his incredible career.

Although it was never an easy decision to choose between Nike and Reebok, even though Nike had a shoe ready, AI was convinced from the first meeting. The sales representative made him very comfortable throughout his tenure. So, Iverson never forgets to credit them for his success.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.