Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky rookie and LSU national champion, is reportedly furious and frustrated after her much-anticipated signature shoe launch with Reebok fell flat, failing to meet expectations in both sales and reception.

The collaboration, which was supposed to mark a historic milestone for Reese — and for Reebok, which has been working to re-enter the basketball footwear market with bold moves — is now the subject of internal scrutiny and public speculation.

For Reese, known for her confidence and influence both on and off the court, the disappointing rollout represents a rare professional setback and one that is reportedly shaking her trust in the brand she pledged to help revive.

According to sources close to the situation, Reese was fully invested in the shoe’s development, from color scheme and style to marketing language.

The plan, originally pitched as a “culture-shifting” launch that would blend modern basketball fashion with Reese’s unique identity and connection to Gen Z audiences, wasn’t just about footwear — it was about owning space in an industry long dominated by established players like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. But from the moment the first promotional images went live, reactions were mixed, and in some corners, outright negative.

Critics pointed to uninspired designs, noting the shoe lacked the bold flair Reese is known for. While the concept involved input from Reebok’s creative team and even received the blessing of basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal — now serving as President of Reebok Basketball — the end result didn’t capture the cultural moment as intended.

The colorways were simple, the branding subdued, and technical aspects of the shoe didn’t seem innovative. Fans wanted something audacious, edgy, and unmistakably Angel — what they got instead felt generic.

To make matters worse, Reebok’s marketing rollout has been described by insiders as “disconnected” and “flat.” Despite Reese’s status as one of the most marketable athletes in women’s sports today, there was no lead-up hype campaign, no major athlete-run social media events, and no direct interaction with the large, devoted college and WNBA fanbases she commands.

The campaign missed key engagement opportunities, including viral teaser drops, influencer collaborations, and even pop-up shops in WNBA markets. Instead, the shoe was quietly placed in select online stores and Reebok’s official website with minimal digital buzz.

Sales numbers from the first week of the launch were underwhelming. Reebok reportedly manufactured moderate inventory in anticipation of high demand, but insiders claim less than a third of that stock moved within the first 10 days.

Retail outlets in major cities had excess inventory sitting on shelves, and popular reselling platforms, typically a thermostat for brand heat, showed no traction on Reese’s shoe. That kind of launch performance—particularly for a first-of-its-kind women’s WNBA rookie signature—has raised alarms internally.

Reese, known for her no-nonsense approach and her deep connection with her audience, is said to be “extremely disappointed” with how the shoe was handled, both in design and rollout.

Sources close to her say she had high hopes that the launch would mark a turning point not only in her personal brand journey but also in how women’s basketball athletes are seen as businesswomen and fashion trendsetters. The flop, in her view, isn’t just bad news for a product — it’s a step backward in a space she intended to redefine.

Her frustrations reportedly boiled over during a recent brand and marketing meeting, where she voiced her concerns directly to senior executives. According to those in the room, Reese expressed dissatisfaction about being sidelined in key decisions and demanded a restructuring of her branding strategy moving forward.

She also challenged the company on why more resources weren’t allocated for promo content, influencer outreach, and market seeding — all tactics common in men’s signature shoe launches but noticeably lacking here. “If this was an NBA rookie, you would’ve lit up every platform,” she reportedly said.

Fans have also joined the outcry. Many of Reese’s loyal followers took to social media voicing confusion over the shoe’s muted release. “I didn’t even know it dropped — where was the hype?” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).

Another added, “They didn’t give Angel the launch she deserved. She’s one of the most visible athletes out here… Reebok fumbled hard.” Others speculated that Reebok’s aging infrastructure in the basketball space simply isn’t equipped for the scale and cultural command Reese brings to the table.

This stumble puts Reebok in a challenging position. The brand, once a titan in basketball with signatures from the likes of Allen Iverson and Shawn Kemp, has struggled in recent decades to keep pace with newer and flashier competitors.

Their foray into signing Angel Reese was viewed as a bold attempt to recapture relevance by tapping into the booming women’s sports market and Gen Z consumer movement. Reese had all the makings of a breakout crossover star — charisma, performance, fashion presence, and a massive social following — but the brand’s execution didn’t meet the moment.

There’s now speculation surrounding whether Reese will stay loyal to Reebok long-term. Although her contract was signed with the intention of building a multi-year signature line alongside apparel deals and community-driven campaigns, it reportedly contains performance clauses that may allow for renegotiation or future flexibility if sales benchmarks aren’t met.

Insiders suggest that Reese’s camp has already begun surveying future brand opportunities should the relationship with Reebok continue on its current trajectory.

Still, all is not lost. Reese remains one of the brightest stars in the WNBA, and a retooled campaign could turn this misfire into a redemption arc.

She’s already hinted at taking control of her brand visibility more directly, and if Reebok responds to the criticism with an updated design, better marketing, and a collaborative rollout with Reese at the forefront, the next iteration of her signature line could still win back consumer trust and drive sales.

Reebok, meanwhile, issued a brief statement acknowledging the reception: “We value our partnership with Angel Reese and are committed to future releases that reflect both her vision and the standard of excellence Reebok represents. Feedback has been taken seriously, and we look forward to sharing more soon.”

For now, though, the damage has been done. What was supposed to be a banner moment—a women’s basketball fashion crossover event to remember—has instead left fans disappointed, shelves still full, and one of the WNBA’s most marketable stars questioning the very brand that was meant to champion her.

Angel Reese may be furious, but she isn’t finished. If anything, this misstep might fuel her next big move. And in the world of sportswear — as she’s about to prove — comebacks can be far more powerful than launches ever were.