Angel Reese becomes first major NIL signing for Shaq in new role with Reebok
Shaquille O’Neal, the new president of basketball operations at Reebok, and Allen Iverson, vice president of basketball operations, have signed LSU basketball player Angel Reese to a multi-year name, image and likeness deal, Reebok announced on Tuesday.
This announcement marks Reese as the shoe and athletic apparel company's first major NIL deal signed by O'Neal in his new role.
“It means the world to me that they trust in me to extend their legacy to a new generation,” Reese said. “Together, we have a great opportunity to do things differently, to inspire people to explore, and express themselves unapologetically and to show them how to look and feel good while doing it.”
Reebok's NIL deal will include "Angel's Picks," a personalized collection of products that Reese selects. She will also work on releasing her own collection that she will help design.
"There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese," Shaq said about the deal.
Tigers roar: LSU voted No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports women's college basketball preseason poll
“For my first appointment in this role, it had to be the GOAT. There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese.” - President of Reebok Basketball @SHAQ https://t.co/1zy7nxro3s pic.twitter.com/YchQUUBcu3
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 17, 2023
Championship and rivalry
During the 2023 NCAA Women's Championship final, the LSU Tigers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 103-85. Reese played a crucial role in securing the program's first NCAA title and made headlines for her gestures to Caitlin Clark.
During the final, LSU's Reese taunted Iowa's Clark by waving a hand in front of her face and tapping her ring finger when LSU gained a fourth-quarter lead, which became one of the most-talked moments from the game.
Much debate has been on how spectators took the gesture and some saying it was unsportsmanlike, but Reese has continued to clear the air and praised Clark for being a phenomenal player at LSU’s media day earlier this month.
Reese said that she has been competing with Caitlin since their AAU days. They have a friendly yet competitive relationship and Reese hopes to one day play on the same team as Caitlin. Reese admires Caitlin's skills as a player, shooter, and teammate.
ANGEL REESE HIT CAITLIN CLARK WITH THE "YOU CAN'T SEE ME" 👀 pic.twitter.com/Zj3mqIzkk9
— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2023
Women's Basketball: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and more women's college basketball stars we cant wait to see
Angel Reese's NIL Deals
Although Reebok is Angel Reese's biggest NIL partnership, it's not her only source of income. Reese is one of the top-earning college athletes with an estimated $1.7 million in endorsements deals.
Reese has NIL deals with PlayStation, Raising Canes, McDonald's, Coach, Wingstop, Outback Steakhouse and Amazon.
LSU’s Angel Reese and Flau’Jae Johnson are starring in a new “Dormz” commercial for Amazon 👀
The NIL stars hold On3 NIL Valuations of $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
More via @Pete_Nakos96: https://t.co/idTd2uFleb pic.twitter.com/il2HJI0vVa— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) July 18, 2023
NIL Deal: LSU's Angel Reese has signed with PlayStation, promoting the new Final Fantasy XVI video game 🎮
The first-team All-American has a $1.6 million On3 NIL Valuation.
Story via @Pete_Nakos96: https://t.co/qwRNjofSOt
On3 NIL Deal Tracker: https://t.co/dC4qN9E934 pic.twitter.com/yVs2r33fL6— NIL Deals (@deals_nil) June 24, 2023
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shaq, Reebok sign NIL deal with LSU star Angel Reese
