Reebok Named Shaquille O'Neal President And Allen Iverson VP Of Its Basketball Division, Now It's Inked A Multi-Year WNBA Partnership

Reebok is making a comeback in the world of basketball.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, Reebok and the WNBA announced a multi-year agreement designating the global sports culture brand as an authorized footwear supplier for the league.

“The WNBA continues to grow with iconic brands, and we look forward to Reebok joining us in driving women’s basketball to new heights and inspiring the next generation,” WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said in a statement. “As we continue to capitalize on increased brand awareness, our work with Reebok is another step in bringing more fans to the game.”

Reebok has been producing basketball shoes for women since the 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, the brand sponsored some of the best women’s collegiate basketball teams in the country and, in 1997, launched a signature shoe for WNBA player Rebecca Lobo.

It’s no secret that Nike is the leading shoe brand among NBA and WNBA players, but other brands have a presence. As of October 2024, six active WNBA players have signature shoe deals, with Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky being the only one sponsored by Reebok, ESPN reported.

However, in 2021, Reebok boldly declared its objective to reclaim its rightful place in sports, as noted in the press release.

As AFROTECH™ previously shared, in 2023, Reebok appointed Shaquille O’Neal as president and Allen Iverson as vice president of its basketball division. In his role, O’Neal forms partnerships with athletes and organizations and supports Reebok’s long-term strategy.

“It’s an exciting time for Reebok, the WNBA, and the game of basketball overall,” O’Neal said in the latest press release. “Reebok has always been committed to supporting the growth of the sport, and now with a strong plan, the right resources, and the welcoming arms of the WNBA, we’re ready to dive in headfirst with everything from product to players and more.”

One of O’Neal’s first orders of business when hired was signing Reese to a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal. He referred to her as “the GOAT,” as she was still making waves at Louisiana State University then, AFROTECH™ previously reported.

The deal was announced on Oct. 17, 2023, marking Reese as the brand’s first women’s basketball NIL signing and its first major NIL signing period.

As a Reebok athlete, Reese participates in campaigns and collaborates with the product team. The company also supports the Angel C. Reese Foundation.

Reese launched her first official Reebok collection, “Reebok by Angel,” this past summer and played a key role in unveiling Reebok’s new performance basketball shoe, the “Engine A.”

In late October 2024, Reese and Reebok extended their partnership for several years, confirming the release of a signature sneaker in 2026, making her only the second WNBA player to receive a signature shoe from Reebok, according to AFROTECH™.

Through the WNBA partnership announced on Dec. 19, Reebok and its athletes aim to create inspiring and engaging content that connects fans more closely with the game and its rising stars, according to the press release.

In addition to Reese, Los Angeles Sparks guard Lexie Brown also has a deal with Reebok. Brown, who has had a seven-year career in the WNBA, is currently sidelined due to Crohn’s disease, a chronic bowel disease that causes digestive tract inflammation, according to The Sporting Tribune. However, she is signed to compete in the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season, AU Pro Sports reported.

“Reebok has been such an amazing partner and advocate for women in sport,” Reese said in a statement. “As strong female athletes, we can use our platform to set an example for young players coming up in the sport. I’m happy to see the WNBA and Reebok supporting one another because I know that together we’re so much stronger and our reach is so much further.”