"The Angel Reese effect" - WNBA fans amped over Shaquille O'Neal-led multi-billion dollar brand striking major deal with league

The WNBA has struck a major deal with Shaquille O'Neal-led company Reebok, as they come back to the league to make the brand an authorized footwear supplier for the competition. The brand shared the announcement on Thursday on X, highlighting Angel Reese and Lexie Brown, two of the athletes who represent Reebok in the league.

It didn't take long for fans to react to this news, with plenty of them focusing on Angel Reese's effect on this decision.

"The Angel Reese effect," one fan said.

"Angel Reese the business woman that you are," another fan said.

"Don’t say Angel has never done anything for the Wnba 🤝," one fan said.

Others, including former NBA player Matt Barnes, celebrated how big this decision was for the league and the impact it might have in the future.

"Congrats ladies," the former Orlando Magic, LA Clippers and LA Lakers player, Matt Barnes said.

Matt Barnes was happy about this announcement. (Credits: @ Instagram)

"This is how you lay a foundation. Brick by brick," one fan said.

"oh Cathy is fighting back I see," another fan said.

The relationship between Reebok and the WNBA dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when they secured marketing and licensing deals with the league.

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Shaquille O'Neal reacts to Reebok partnership with WNBA

NBA legend and Reebok president of basketball division Shaquille O'Neal sent a message about this partnership, saying he was excited to land a new deal with the WNBA and continue to support women's basketball for many years.

“It’s an exciting time for Reebok, the WNBA, and the game of basketball overall,” O'Neal said. “Reebok has always been committed to supporting the growth of the sport, and now with a strong plan, the right resources, and the welcoming arms of the WNBA, we’re ready to dive in headfirst with everything from product to players and more.”

After giving Rebecca Lobo a signature shoe in 1997, Reebok added Angel Reese as the second player to get a signature sneaker with her 2026 sneaker. The Chicago Sky star also talked about the partnership, echoing Shaquille O'Neal's words about Reebok's support for the WNBA.

"I’m happy to see the WNBA and Reebok supporting one another because I know that together we’re so much stronger and our reach is so much further.”

While Nike remains the league's official uniform supplier, Reebok could lay the ground to have a bigger position in the league in the future.