Shaq Reveals His Billion-Dollar Idea & Angel Drops BIG Partnership News

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In a year when women’s basketball is capturing more headlines than ever before, two of the game’s biggest personalities—Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese—sat down for an unfiltered, laugh-filled conversation that covered everything from business advice to the future of the WNBA, and even a billion-dollar idea that only Shaq could pitch.

Recorded on Reese’s podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” the episode quickly went viral thanks to a mix of Shaq’s trademark humor, his candid wisdom about life and money, and a major announcement from Reese that’s set to shake up the sneaker world.

Shaq’s “Billion-Dollar” Vision for Women’s Basketball

The conversation started with jokes about Shaq’s notorious lateness—he arrived two hours late, which Reese playfully called him out on—but soon shifted to the business of basketball. Shaq, never shy about sharing his opinions, dropped what he called a “billion-dollar idea” to help boost the WNBA’s popularity and player salaries: lower the rim.

“Just a little bit, not a lot,” Shaq insisted, drawing on the example of women’s beach volleyball, where the net is slightly lower than the men’s. His argument? “If you start dunking, watch what happens. The money will go through the roof.” Shaq predicted that with more dunks, women’s basketball could command the kind of contracts NBA stars enjoy—“$200 million contracts, $100 million contracts.”

Reese pushed back, saying, “I still don’t think it would be good enough. People always disrespect women regardless.” But Shaq doubled down, claiming that the only thing missing from the women’s game is above-the-rim action. “We’ve got shooters, we’ve got handles, we’ve got talkers, we’ve got brawls. The only thing missing is the dunk.”

It’s a debate that’s sure to keep sports fans talking, but Shaq’s point was clear: women’s basketball is on the verge of something big, and a little innovation could make a massive difference.

Angel Reese’s Big Announcement: A Signature Reebok Shoe

If Shaq’s rim-lowering idea was headline-worthy, Angel Reese’s announcement was even bigger. Midway through the episode, Reese revealed that she is officially launching her own signature shoe with Reebok, making her only the second female basketball player after Rebecca Lobo to have a signature shoe with the brand.

“We are officially coming out with the Reebok by Angel signature shoe,” Reese said, beaming. “We’ve already kicked off the design process, and I can’t wait to share it with you guys. It will be for men and women.”

The move is a major milestone for Reese, who has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball. She credited Shaq, who is a key figure at Reebok, for championing her behind the scenes. “Thank you for making me look like I know what I’m doing,” she joked to Shaq.

The partnership is more than just a business deal—it’s a statement about the future of women’s sports. “To all the young little girls out there, anything is possible,” Reese said. “One day, this could be you.”

Business, Money, and Life Lessons from Shaq

Beyond the headlines, the podcast was filled with the kind of life advice that only Shaq can deliver. He spoke about his own journey from being a “terrible high school player” to an NBA legend, and the lessons he learned from his tough, no-nonsense father. Shaq credited his dad for instilling financial discipline and a relentless drive to succeed.

“My father always said, ‘If I ever catch you doing coke, I’mma kill you,’” Shaq recalled, referencing the tragic story of Len Bias and the importance of staying focused. “He would always stress to me: education, financial literacy. You better not go broke.”

Shaq also offered practical business advice to Reese and her listeners: “Have people around you that are smarter than you. Make sure you trust them, because a lot of people hire people who are smarter but don’t trust them, and they get robbed.”

NIL, Athlete Wealth, and Staying Hungry

The conversation turned to the new era of college sports, with athletes now able to make millions through NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. Shaq admitted to feeling “jealous and pissed off” that he missed out on that money, but expressed hope that today’s athletes will be smart with their new wealth.

“Don’t trip off a million when you can get a hundred million,” he advised. “Whenever I get something, I never celebrate. I act like I don’t have nothing. It keeps me motivated.”

Reese, who has already made waves with her own NIL deals, took the advice to heart. The partnership with Reebok is just the latest in a string of high-profile endorsements, including deals with Covergirl, PrizePicks, and Reese’s Pieces.

On Confidence, Criticism, and Social Media

Reese and Shaq also got personal about dealing with criticism and building confidence. Shaq urged Reese to ignore the haters on social media: “The day you stop caring about [critics] is the day you’re going to be even more popular than you are now.”

He reminded her—and all young athletes—of the importance of perspective. “It could be worse. Nobody could be looking at you. You could have blown your knee out. So just keep going.”

Relationship Real Talk

In classic Shaq fashion, the conversation veered into relationships, honesty, and the unwritten rules of dating as a public figure. Shaq’s advice? “Know who you’re dealing with. If you pick up your man’s phone, know what you’re looking at first. And if you’re going to be in a relationship, know them and stop thinking we’re stupid—even though some of us do stupid stuff.”

The segment was filled with laughter and playful banter, but also underscored the challenges of balancing fame, relationships, and public scrutiny.

The Future: More Dunks, More Deals, More Dreams

As the episode wrapped, Shaq reiterated his belief that women’s basketball is on the brink of a breakthrough. “Imagine you coming down, crossing somebody up, and leaning in like Russell Westbrook—people are going to go crazy,” he said.

For Reese, the future is bright—and busy. With her signature shoe on the way, a growing brand, and the support of legends like Shaq, she’s poised to inspire a new generation of athletes.

“Anything is possible,” Reese said, echoing the spirit of the conversation.

In a sports world hungry for new stories and new stars, Shaq and Angel Reese just delivered both—along with a billion-dollar idea that’s sure to keep people talking.