Shaquille O’Neal collaborated with the multinational retailer, Walmart for his shoe line while he was still at Reebok. The reason behind it was the goodwill of the NBA legend who started it. Reportedly, a mother complained to O’Neal about the expensive shoes he was endorsing from Reebok, which were unaffordable. Shaq started his own brand and signed a deal with Walmart to launch affordable shoes. Shaq’s shoes’ prices go up to $12 a pair.
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Jeff Teague, the former Atlanta Hawks guard and a member of the 2015 NBA All-Star, was on Episode 21 of the Club 520 Podcast, where he opened up about why he would choose Shaq shoes over Stephon Marbury’s iconic shoes from decade past.
During an episode of Full Send Podcast, on which Shaq was a guest, he opened up about why he cut ties with Reebok and started his own Shaq brand. The two-time scoring champion said that in 1998 when he was leaving the Orlando Magic arena, a mother cussed him. She was apparently upset about the expensive shoes that O’Neal was endorsing from Reebok. “‘You m————, you’re charging these babies all this money for the shoes,’ recalled Shaq about the incident that changed his mind. The Big Aristotle cut ties with Reebok to collaborate with Walmart to make Shaq shoes ranging between $15 and $30.
Jeff Teague says he would still choose Shaq shoes over Marbury’s iconic shoes
The hosts at the Club 520 Podcast were speaking about, Stephon Marbury’s brand, and whether they would prefer Starbury One. However, Teague said that Shaq had got better shoes than Starbury. “I want the Kamikaze Shaq bro,” said the former Hawks guard.
When co-hosts joked about finding Shaq’s shoes in Walmart while grocery shopping, “Stephon Bury wouldn’t know better,” remarked Teague hilariously taking a shot at the New York Knicks legend.
Shaq’s shoes are not only affordable but also are made without compromising the quality of the shoes. This is one of the reasons that Teague still wears Shaq’s during NBA games. Some of the most famous shoes from Shaq’s line are Kamikaze, Shaqnosis, and Shaq Attack, which have made a name in the sneakers industry.
Stephon Marbury followed Shaquille O’Neal’s sneakers idea
The sneaker industry is an expensive market, and basketball sneakers are not an exception. From Jordans and LeBrons to KDs, all have a very high range of shoes that can get unaffordable for aspiring young basketball players. Marbury, like Shaq, also took a massive step to change the sneaker industry by releasing highly affordable sneakers.
The former NBA player released the first line of shoes from Starbury Inc. in September 2006. The shoes included “The Starbury One”, “Starbury Crossovers”, “Starbury Cyclones”, and “Starbury SXM”.
The brand released these highly affordable shoes without compromising the quality of the shoes. In 2006, FN praised the Starbury SXM, and it was declared the 2006 Launch of the Year.
