Reebok has announced Lousiana State University basketball player Angel Reese as the brand’s first major NIL (name, image, likeness) college athlete. The 21-year-old star forward, who helped lead her to team to a championship last year, is also the first signing under newly-appointed president of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal, who was brought on alongside Allen Iverson who will serve as the vice president of basketball. The big news was celebrated with a Times Square billboard featuring a visual of Reese.
Commenting on the signing, O’Neal said, “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.”
“Now that he’s just been announced as their president of basketball, that is inspirational to me, just being able to see an athlete or former athlete shift from not just being an athlete, but being the president of the brand is something that’s important,” Reese said. “I would love to do that one day.”
Reebok’s NIL deal will include Angel’s Picks, a collection of products that Reese selects. She will also work on releasing her own collection that she will help design.
Founded in 1958, Reebok is now owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which holds the licenses for over 70 brands and celebrities. ABG purchases Reebok from Adidas for $2.5 billion in a deal that closed in early 2022.
