Angel Reese explains decision to choose Reebok for endorsement deal

In October, Angel Reese signed a multi-year NIL deal with Reebok as the company looked to re-launch its basketball category. That partnership is continuing into the WNBA after the Chicago Sky selected her with the No. 7 overall pick in last month’s draft, and she explained her decision to go with the company over others such as Nike.

Reese cited three major factors that led her to Reebok. She said she wants to be the women’s basketball “face” of the basketball line and the fact the company hired Shaquille O’Neal as its president of basketball also played a role. The two are close, and the Hall of Famer also walked Reese out onto the court during LSU’s senior day this past season.

Reese also confirmed she has a shoe line on the way, as well.

“So many different shoe companies wanted to work with me. But I chose Reebok,” Reese said. “What was it about Reebok? One, they don’t have a women’s basketball player [as] a face. So I wanted to be that.

“Two, Shaq. You know my relationship with Shaq. And three, I like how they’re rebranding everything and they’re letting me be the creator behind everything I want to do. So I’m having my own shoe line coming out, merch with my name on it. … Y’all like what I wear, y’all like how I dress, y’all like my style. I wanted to incorporate that into Reebok.”

When she signed her initial deal, Reese received her own dedicated portion of the online store, and Reebok also planned to launch her own capsule collection in fall/winter 2024. She will also provide input and feedback on design and product ahead of Reebok’s basketball re-launch.

Ultimately, Reese wanted to help restore Reebok’s basketball brand.

“I’m bringing Reebok back,” she said.

Angel Reese hopes to continue NIL success in WNBA

During her two seasons at LSU after transferring from Maryland, Reese became one of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball. She left Baton Rouge with an On3 NIL Valuation of $1.8 million to rank No. 8 in her final appearance in the On3 NIL 100, which is the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation.

In addition to Reebok, Reese also had notable NIL deals with Beats by Dre, Airbnb, Amazon and SI Swimsuit as part of her impressive portfolio. It led her to become a top name in a highly anticipated WNBA Draft, and she’s hoping to continue that success at the next level.

After her time at LSU came to an end, Reese quickly landed another endorsement deal. She inked an exclusive partnership with Panini America and was one of a handful of top draft picks to receive an official trading card commemorating the night the Sky selected her.