Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary basketball player, has made a huge impact on the world of sports and entertainment. He has also made a significant impact off the court.
Shaq has always been known for his larger-than-life personality, but his generosity and philanthropy are what makes him truly remarkable. One of his most significant contributions is making affordable shoes for those in need and selling 400 million pairs.
In this article, we will dive into the story behind Shaq’s incredible shoe empire and how he’s one of the most generous athletes we’ve ever seen.
After being drafted into the NBA by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft, Shaq signed a $40 million shoe deal with Reebok. Shaq’s shoes cost similar to the other popular basketball sneakers of the day, meaning they were at least $100.
One day, when Shaq was leaving the Orlando Arena, the mother of a young fan approached Shaq with tears in her eyes. She was upset at how much Shaq’s Reebok shoes cost. This led to Shaq making one of the best business decisions of his life.
Shaq is a legend for this 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qw45qU148M
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 26, 2021
“I had a Reebok deal, $40M for five and I’m leaving the arena one day and this lady and ripping me a new one: ‘You motherf***ers charging these babies all this money for the shoes’.
“I had like $2,000 in my pocket and said, ‘Maam, I don’t make the prices…Here ya go, and she smacked the money out of my hand. ‘Why don’t you motherf***ers make a shoe that’s affordable?’
“…and I thought about it. You know what, she’s right. So that day I cut ties with Reebok and started my own brand. I told them to keep to keep the money, this ain’t right.”
Shaq wanted to give families who may not have a lot of money the chance to buy quality shoes for a fraction of the cost of the big brand shoes.
This led to Shaq Brand shoes showing up in Wal-Marts across the United States. At the start, Shaq’s new shoes cost just $12. It was incredible to see a popular NBA star’s likeness on such a cheap-looking shoe.
Many people laughed at Shaq having shoes in Walmart, but this strategy paid off as Shaq has reportedly sold over 400 million pairs of shoes… Yes, you read that correctly: 400 million pairs of Shaq shoes sold at Walmart!
“I didn’t feel right charging little kids $100-$200 for shoes. I met with the CEO of Walmart and said, ‘Look, I want to be the number one shoe seller at Walmart.’ So, we did a deal in ’95, and ever since ’95 I have sold over $400 million pair.”
So what makes Shaq’s shoes such a high seller? Shaq shoes have famously mimicked the style of other popular yet expensive shoe brands, like the Jordan Brand. The shoes by Shaq look very similar but at a fraction of the cost while maintaining a decent quality.
To some, seeing someone wearing Shaq’s shoes is a joke, but to others, it’s a way to look good while saving money. Plus, who wouldn’t want to support Shaq?
Shaq’s Philanthropy
Shaquille O’Neal might be more well-known these days for his philanthropy than his 19-year NBA career. There are videos that pop up on social media all of the time that show Shaq either buying something or giving money to someone in need.
One famous example of this was when Shaq bought a stranger an engagement ring for his girlfriend.
On top of buying perfect strangers gifts, Shaq donates a lot of money to charity. This includes the Boys and Girls Club. Yes, Shaquille O’Neal’s dedication to making a difference is truly inspiring.
Shaq’s commitment to philanthropy serves as a reminder that no act of kindness is too small or insignificant. Each donation, no matter its size, has the potential to transform lives and leave a lasting impact.
This, along with making affordable shoes for everyone, is part of the reason why we love and respect Shaquille O’Neal.
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