Angel Reese’s Reebok Sneaker Launch Turns Into a Spectacular Flop — Fans Call It the “Clearance Rack Shoe”

Reebok thought it had found its savior in Angel Reese, the WNBA star known as the “Bayou Barbie,” but the company’s big gamble has quickly turned into one of the most embarrassing sneaker launches in recent memory.

After hyping up Reese’s debut signature sneaker with splashy marketing, 2K cover features, and promises of a cultural reset, the release was met with instant backlash, harsh reviews, and sluggish sales. Instead of a Jordan-like breakthrough, Reebok got a cautionary tale.

The Big Bet on Angel Reese

Reebok pinned its basketball comeback hopes on Reese, betting that her charisma, confidence, and rising popularity would carry their brand back into relevance. The rollout included massive Instagram campaigns, bold ad placements, and influencers proclaiming the shoe would be a revolution.

The problem? Fans weren’t buying it—literally or figuratively.

From Hype to Humiliation

On May 1, Reebok dropped Reese’s rebranded “Shawn Kemp Shaqnosis” revival, alongside other models tied to her name. The build-up had sneakerheads curious, but once the shoes actually hit the shelves, the excitement collapsed.

Sneaker reviewers blasted the designs as outdated and uninspired, with some mocking them as “grandma orthopedic shoes” or sneakers that looked like they belonged “in the discount aisle of a sporting goods store.”

Memes flooded social media within hours of the release, ridiculing both the look and the pricing. At $150, the sneakers were priced like icons but lacked the cultural weight to justify the tag.

As one commentator put it:
“If you want to charge premium prices, you need a premium product. Reebok brought a participation trophy.”

Sales Stumble Hard

Unlike Nike drops that vanish in minutes, Reese’s sneakers sat on store shelves, with online stock levels showing little movement. Retailers quietly began discounting pairs almost immediately, a telltale sign that the “sellout” narrative wasn’t matching reality.

For a brand trying to stage a comeback, the flop was brutal. Executives who envisioned champagne celebrations were left with panic meetings and Pepto-Bismol moments.

Why It Failed

The failure wasn’t just about the shoe—it was about Reebok’s strategy. In sneaker culture, authenticity is everything. Nike built its empire on decades of athlete-driven credibility, while Adidas tapped cultural icons to build heritage around its releases.

Reebok, however, tried to shortcut the process—banking on hype and Reese’s personality instead of letting her build her sneaker credibility over time.

Sneaker fans saw through it instantly. Personality sells headlines. Performance and legacy sell shoes.

Angel Reese Takes the Heat

Reese herself wasn’t spared in the backlash. While her play on the court continues to impress, her off-court sneaker moment was overshadowed by ridicule. Critics pointed out that, unlike Caitlin Clark—who just signed a $28 million Nike deal and saw her merchandise sell out worldwide—Reese’s shoe was struggling to move even at launch.

Some fans defended her, blaming Reebok’s weak design and poor strategy, while others argued Reese simply hadn’t reached the superstar status needed to anchor a signature line.

Lessons for Reebok

The flop is a painful reminder that sneaker culture is ruthless. Heritage matters. Credibility matters. And without them, even the flashiest campaigns collapse under scrutiny.

Reebok wanted a Jordan moment. Instead, it got meme fuel. The brand now faces an uphill battle to salvage both its basketball division and its reputation.

As one fan summed it up:
“Reebok didn’t just drop a sneaker. They dropped a comedy special disguised as footwear.”

Conclusion

Angel Reese’s signature sneaker launch was supposed to be a turning point for both her career and Reebok’s basketball revival. Instead, it exposed the dangers of overhyping a product without the cultural foundation to back it up.

Reese will likely bounce back—her star power is too big to fade—but for Reebok, this flop is a brutal reminder of why they’ve been in Nike and Adidas’ shadow for decades.