What Allen Iverson's college coach said to him about Reebok's shoe deal: "That's a no-brainer, son; get the hell out of my office"

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Allen Iverson was instrumental in Reebok's rise in the basketball shoe market during the 1990s. The Reebok Question and Reebok Answer, both made for Iverson, were two of the best-selling basketball shoes of his era. But before A.I. became a Reebok icon, he was a highly after shoe endorser.

Reebok's chief competitor in the Iverson bidding war was industry leader Nike. The Swoosh brand was the shoe sponsor of A.I.'s college team - the Georgetown Hoyas, and it had Allen's college coach on its payroll. So, despite receiving a handsome offer from Reebok, Iverson had to listen to Nike's sales pitch because of his respect for his head coach.

"Coach Thompson was on the board of directors for Nike. They had a deal on the table and Reebok had a deal on the table. Nike's was like five years, $10 million. And Reebok's was for $50 million. When I told Coach Thompson, I was like, "Man, I'm telling you this because you on the board of directors," he said.

Big John sat on the Nike Board

The late John Thompson, who coached Georgetown University from 1972 to 1999, knew Nike founder Phil Knight well and was a spokesman for the Beaverton-based company since 1980.

In 1991, Big John was named to Nike's Board of Directors and was the company's first minority-race board member. Thompson remained on the Nike Board until 2020 when he retired from the position. So when Iverson told him about Reebok's offer, Coach Thompson told him there was nothing to think or talk about.

"He was basically like, "Man if you don't get the f**k out my face with that stupid s**t. That's a no-brainer, son. Get the hell out of my office." added Iverson.

Going to Reebok was a no-brainer

But while Iverson took Reebok's massive initial offer, Nike came well-prepared to bag A.I. The Swoosh brand already had a signature shoe, initially named the Nike Bubba Chuck, ready for Iverson if he said yes.

"Yeah, they had a shoe," he confirmed. "But I was convinced when I went in the meeting with Reebok that that's what I wanted to do. They were great salespeople. They made me comfortable about getting to where I am right now with the company."

Going with Reebok instead of Nike proved to be the right move for Iverson. After he declared bankruptcy, Iverson used his $800k annual company payments to support himself. A.I. is also scheduled to receive $32 million in trust fund money after his 55th birthday.