In a move that was equal parts audacious and hilarious, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal took to his podcast to address a long-standing stigma attached to his shoe brand. Amidst a live episode, Shaq made an impromptu call to his Chinese shoe manufacturing company, seeking to debunk the myth that his shoes, despite their affordability, compromise on quality.
The episode featured comedian Funny Marco, who shared a personal anecdote about being teased for wearing Shaq’s shoes. The jest was rooted in the belief that lower-priced shoes inherently meant lower quality, a misconception Shaq was determined to challenge.
In a spontaneous decision, Shaq dialed up his Chinese factory live on air.
Funny Marco: “It started off with the shoes. I got picked on for wearing your shoes. So I want to say thank you.”
Shaquille O’Neal: “And why you get picked on for wearing my shoes?”
Funny Marco: “For one, the price.”
Shaquille O’Neal: “Yeah, but it’s the same leather.”
Funny Marco: “I understand why it was that price. Because I had holes at the bottom.”
Shaquille O’Neal: “Oh, no you didn’t… It’s the same leather as everybody else. It’s in the same factory. Would you like me to call the factory?
…I’m about to call my Chinese factory… I’m going to call my Chinese factory…Hello, can you hear me?
Shaq doesn’t understand why kids used to get roasted for wearing his shoes, given that they were made in the same factory and used the same leather as other popular shoes
( @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/01Ufv0Exuw) pic.twitter.com/lHut5n5IUE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 15, 2024
