Shaquille O’Neal was heavily criticized for behaving like a dirty old man on Angel Reese’s podcast.
Angel, 22, is young enough to be the 52-year-old NBA icon’s daughter. But there was nothing fatherly about his inappropriate behavior toward the young athlete.
The comment came while Angel and Shaq discussed making the WNBA more exciting for men.
Shaq said the WNBA would be more lucrative if the league lowered the basket so women could dunk more.
Angel was uncomfortable as Shaq commented on her dunking in the tiny booty shorts that she wore to Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘N Out” tour in Chicago recently.
Shaq receives backlash for telling Angel Reese to imagine how many shirts she would sell if she dunked in those tiny shirts she wore. ? pic.twitter.com/gZm5uqZvZA
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) October 26, 2024
Social media erupted in anger. Many called for TNT Network to fire Shaq or at least suspend the ex-Laker for his overt misogyny.
Women said Shaq s*xually harassed Angel in front of a large viewing audience.
But others – mostly males – defended Shaq. They said Angel enticed men by wearing such revealing outfits.
Oh my I just found my new fav Angel Reese vid ??? pic.twitter.com/2W0QDkaxLm
— ??????? (@Stunna999_) October 5, 2024
One commenter on a manosphere message board wrote: “She wore them c00chie cutters a$s hanging for attention, now she’s getting it and it’s an issue.”
Another person wrote: “How you want ni**as to vote for Black women then turn around and shame a black woman for being s*xually harassed by an old thirsty n1gga twice her age?”
A third person wrote: “Don’t mess up that Icy Hot endorsement.”
She’s a conflicted young lady… If she wants to be treated more classy, she has to behave at the class of standards she wants.
Why is it hard to understand this simple concept?
— Hollywood Woke Hogan (@MalcolmXodus) October 26, 2024
Men that like women this much younger than them have real issues. Idc what no one say it never fails and I seen it in real life lol
— ACEY (@acey1_) October 26, 2024
She got offended but he’s right. She shows her cheeks for FREE and sexualizes herself all the time. He’s just keeping it real ??
— ?•.*kawaii*.•? (@TheyLoveKawaiii) October 26, 2024
Shaquille was recently named president of basketball operations for Reebok. He extended Angel’s Reebok contract to a multi-year deal.
ESPN’s Shams Chariana reported on Oct. 24 that Angel signed a multi-year endorsement contract extension with Reebok. The deal includes Angel’s own signature shoe release in 2026.
Shams noted in his tweet that Angel set the rookie record for rebounds in a single season while averaging the most rebounds per game (13.1) in WNBA history.
Angel lost the 2024 Rookie of the Year trophy to Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark.