Reebok’s bold gamble on Angel Reese has backfired in spectacular fashion, with the company now facing instant panic after the Chicago Sky star’s highly anticipated signature shoe was branded a massive flop. The release, which Reebok marketed as a groundbreaking moment for both Reese and the brand, has been met with lukewarm sales, harsh reviews, and widespread criticism online.

The rollout was supposed to mark Reebok’s re-entry into the performance basketball market, positioning Reese as the centerpiece of its new era. With her charisma, swagger, and rising popularity, Reese seemed like the perfect athlete to lead the charge. Yet within days of launch, it became clear the shoe was not living up to the hype. Shelves remained stocked, online sales lagged behind projections, and social media was flooded with fans mocking the design.

Critics slammed the sneakers for being “outdated” and “cheap-looking,” with many comparing them unfavorably to rival brands like Nike and Adidas, which have dominated the women’s basketball market. One viral post read: “Angel Reese deserved better than this. Reebok gave her a discount shoe and expected people to pay premium prices.” Others argued that the company underestimated how demanding sneaker culture has become, particularly in the WNBA era led by stars like Caitlin Clark whose Nike collaborations are already breaking sales records.

For Reebok, the flop is particularly painful because it had been banking on Reese to reignite its relevance in basketball. The company has long lagged behind in the sneaker wars, and Reese was expected to be their answer to Nike’s Caitlin Clark and Puma’s Breanna Stewart. Instead, analysts say the failed launch has “set Reebok back years” in its attempt to re-establish itself as a serious player in the market.

Reese herself has been caught in the middle of the storm. While she proudly promoted the shoe in interviews and appearances, she has now faced criticism from fans who claim she “sold out” for a weak product. Others, however, have defended her, insisting the blame lies squarely with Reebok’s design and marketing teams. “Angel Reese is a star,” one supporter wrote. “She can’t control what Reebok put out. This flop is on the brand, not her.”

The panic within Reebok headquarters is reportedly intense. Early projections for the shoe’s revenue have been slashed, and there is growing debate internally about whether the company should immediately scrap future models or attempt a drastic redesign. Marketing executives are also facing pressure to explain how they failed to capture the cultural moment, especially when rival brands are thriving by aligning with WNBA players.

The fiasco also underscores the widening gap between Reese and Caitlin Clark in terms of brand power. While Reese’s shoe stumbled out of the gate, Clark’s merchandise continues to sell out in minutes, with her Nike partnerships racking up tens of millions in sales. The contrast has only fueled online debates about which player truly dominates both on and off the court.

Despite the chaos, some analysts argue that the flop may not spell the end for Reese’s sneaker journey. If Reebok can quickly acknowledge the failure, pivot with improved designs, and better align with Reese’s bold persona, they may still salvage the partnership. But for now, the rollout is being labeled one of the biggest missteps in recent sneaker history.