Shaquille O’Neal is one of the biggest players to ever grace the hardwood floors of the NBA. Standing at 7’1″ and weighing around 325 pounds, Shaq is a colossus of a human being. As a result, it was always difficult for him to find shoes that fit, seeing as he wears size 22s. Fortunately, Reebok agreed to do so, even starting the Shaq Attaq line. However, after seven years Big Diesel decided to move on, leaving a $40,000,000 deal on the table so that he could make more affordable shoes. But, just when it looked like he would never find another shoe company to service his needs, TOMS shoes came to the rescue.

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The four-time NBA Champion is known for his generosity, taking any opportunity get gets to give back to the community. So, when he discovered TOMS, he knew he had to work with them. And, as he revealed in an interview on The Jordan Harbinger Show, their “buy one, donate one” matched his philosophy to a tee. Making their partnership a match made in heaven.

Shaquille O’Neal ordered 1000 pairs of size 22 TOMS shoes because of their similar philosophies

In 2019, Shaquille O’Neal was introduced to TOMS shoes. The company, founded in 2006 makes stylish shoes that appeal to all demographics. But, what attracted Shaq was their philosophy. TOMS believes that for every pair bought, one pair gets donated.

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So, upon learning of this, The Big Aristotle made it his mission to get himself a pair. Initially, he found no success, as phone number after phone number he received didn’t work. But, all that changed after he met the owner of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie in Westwood, Los Angeles.  Immediately, Shaq asked Mycoskie what he needed to do to get a pair.

Unfortunately, it was explained to him that TOMS didn’t really make size 22 shoes and that making just one pair would make no sense. Well, it is here that O’Neal had the bright idea that would kick off his now four-year partnership with TOMS. He ordered 1000 pairs of size 22s. And, while he has only been through 100 of them, his fondness for them has inspired him to work with the company and provide those in need across the world with some shoes.

“Finally, about two years later I see the owner of TOMS. Him and his wife we met at Westwood. I said, ‘Listen I love your product, how can I get a pair?’ and he said, ‘Shaq to be honest with you we don’t have the 22 molds. I can’t slow production down to make one shoe!’ So I said, ‘Well…what’s a good production day?’ And he said, ‘About a 1000 pairs,’ so I said, ‘Make me a 1000 pairs then!’ So… I got a 1000 pairs that I ordered and I’m only into my first 100. And, we’re in discussions.. we want to go to these third-world countries and hand out some shoes.”

However, TOMS isn’t the only shoe company, Shaq has found success with. In fact, he has his own successful line of shoes that he sells with the help of Walmart. Providing affordable footwear to one and all.

Shaq’s collaboration with Walmart saw him sell 120,000,000 pairs of Shaq Shoes in 2016

In 1999, Shaquille O’Neal reportedly walked away from a $40,000,000 deal with Reebok. He made the decision after a mother confronted him outside an arena demanding he makes more affordable shoes. So, Shaq decided to honor her request and partnered with Walmart to create Shaq Shoes, a wonderful initiative.

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Well, in 2016, O’Neal reached a milestone with the retail store, selling close to 120,000,000 pairs. A number that has since grown to 350,000,000.

Shaq truly is a gem of a human being. He is always looking to help those in need and it is this quality that makes him a superb role model.

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