Shaquille O’Neal Persuaded Son Shareef To Help With Rebranding Reebok

Shareef O’Neal, son of Shaquille, tried to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing basketball. That goal has not been met but his father asked Shareef to join him in making Reebok a bigger company now that Shaq is president of Reebok’s basketball operations.

Shareef revealed taking the opportunity to connect with Shaq to work with him to help rebrand Reebok after his father gave him the offer after speaking to him last year. He talked about the situation that led up to him making that move on the Then They Rose podcast.

After recently playing with G League Ignite last season, he was about to head to Australia to continue his basketball dream, but Shaq stopped that when he told him he wanted his help with rebranding Reebok. Although he still wants to play, he’s happy working with his father. He recalls when his father asked him to come work at the sneaker brand.

“I was getting ready to go to Australia in about late December or January.” He stated that Shaq invited him to Thanksgiving dinner. While they were on a plane ride, Shareef said, “We’re sitting. He’s like, ‘Australia’s far. You know you don’t have to go to Australia.’ And I’m kinda like, ‘Yeah.’ I kind of just wanted to move. I don’t know why, but I was like, ‘Let me just go try something new.’”

Shaq was talking to Shareef about his new role with Reebok. He requested that Shareef help him with redesigning the sneakers and clothes, “He’s like, ‘Can you do me a favor this year? Can you help me rebrand Reebok? I’ll let you help redesign the shoes, and redesign the clothes, help sign players. I really need your help.”

After that ask, Shareef felt that since his family was there for him when he went through surgery that sidelined him from basketball for a minute, he needed to be there for his family. So, now, he is doing what Shaq asked as they prepare to take Reebok back to the top.

“We’re doing a really good job. I say that by the time 2025 starts, Reebok will be up there with the rest of these brands. I’m glad I contributed to that.”

Shaquille O’Neal Persuaded Son Shareef To Help With Rebranding Reebok