Shaquille O'Neal isn't just known for his dominance on the basketball court or his $500 million net worth as a savvy business owner. He also stands by his principles, even when it means leaving millions on the table. In 1998, Shaq made what he called his “best business decision” — a move that set him apart as more than just a profit-driven athlete.
While appearing on the “Full Send” podcast in 2021, Shaq shared why he ended his five-year $40 million sneaker deal with Reebok. Change changed? A heated argument with a distraught mother.
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One day, after a game at the Orlando Magic stadium, Shaq was approached by a woman who wasn't shy about talking about her concerns. “This lady ripped me a new hole,” Shaq recalled. His problem? The rising price of Reebok sneakers with his name.
“He called me mother*** and said, 'You are costing these children all this money for shoes.' I had $2,000 in my pocket and tried to give it to her,” said Shaq. But the woman was not looking for a donation.
“He slapped the money in my hand and said, 'Why don't you make an affordable shoe?'” Shaq added.
That moment touched my heart. “I thought about it and you know what? You're right,” Shaq said.
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That same day, Shaq made a life-changing decision: he left Reebok.
“I told them, 'Save the money. This is wrong,'” Shaq shared. He decided to start his own shoe brand, prioritizing affordability without compromising on quality or style. “I went to my favorite store, Walmart and we made a deal,” he said.
Shaq's vision was clear: create sneakers priced between $15 and $29. And while some doubted that kids would want to wear “cheap” shoes, Shaq proved them wrong. “It's not that kids don't want to wear $20 shoes – it's that they don't want to wear shoes that look like they cost $20,” he explained.
Working with Walmart has been a great success. By 2021, Shaq's affordable shoe line had sold over 400 million pairs. Thanks to Shaq's decision, families who couldn't afford name-brand sneakers now have access to stylish, durable options.
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