Rejecting $14,000,000 From Nike Because of Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal Reiterates Selling 400 Million Pairs of Walmart Shoes

As soon as Shaquille O’Neal entered the NBA in 1992, he got a $14,000,000 offer from Nike. However, the 20-year-old wanted his own shoe line, as Michael Jordan had with the apparel brand. That led him to reject Nike, after which, he went on to sign with Reebok. However, even his own line of sneakers couldn’t keep O’Neal with Reebok for long. So, in 1998, the Big Aristotle made a deal with Walmart to make affordable sneakers and has sold 400 million pairs since.

Before he signed with Walmart, Shaq turned away from a $40 million worth Reebok deal just because a lady came up to him and complained to him about the cost of his sneakers.

Shaquille O’Neal rejected Nike for Reebok, and then Reebok for Walmart, and still sold over 400 million pairs of shoes

In one of his recent Instagram stories, Shaquille O’Neal shared how his shoe deal with Walmart has sold over 400 million pairs since his deal 25 years ago. Twitter account ‘What are NBA Celebs Upto?’ shared the same via a Tweet.

Shaq has sold over 400 million of his Walmart shoes 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mvgFYyRwg3

— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) June 25, 2023

O’Neal has explained how he thought of Walmart when he decided to let go of his contract with Reebok.

“We’re not gonna sell cheap shoes. We’re gonna sell good shoes at a cheap price. Cause it’s not that kids don’t wanna wear $29 shoes, they don’t wanna wear shoes that look like they cost $29.00,” said O’Neal to Brian J. Roberts in an interview last year.

A business decision taken under the influence of emotions led to The Diesel making an exponential amount of money to make a $400 million worth fortune.

Shaq once ordered 1000 pairs of size 22 TOMS shoes

The 51-year-old is still associated with Walmart to this day, he even gave his fans a tour of the massive factory recently, where his shoes are made.

However, in 2019, when he came across the idea of TOMS shoes, Shaq decided to order 1000 pairs of size 22 shoes.

“For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair of new shoes is given to a child in need in partnership with humanitarian organizations,” is the motto of the company which is famous for its “One-for-One” Impact.

TOMS didn’t make size 22 shoes before Shaq contacted them. So, after he did, they started at it and as of now, they have given him 100 out of his 1000.

Shaq is indeed one of one.

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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