Tweet of the Day: New NBA-Themed Commercials Abound

Many of today’s NBA athletes have endorsements with major corporations that often require them to be featured in a television commercial. A lot of them have their predecessors to thank for having broadened the reach of the NBA’s global marketing arm. Greats like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were prominently featured in high profile marketing campaigns during their playing careers.

Recently, with such bold personalities like four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, the door for retired NBA athletes to continue marketing major products has remained open. The ‘Big Diesel’ has continued appearing in prominent ads for products like Icy Hot and Buick.

With the recent retirement of Allen Iverson’s jersey now in the rearview, Reebok has brought both Shaq, Shawn Kemp (otherwise known as the Reign Man) and The Answer back into the fold to help promote the latest edition to The Retro Shop, the Kamikazi.

Pants http://t.co/1whz2FteQ4

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) March 5, 2014

The news coming from Shaq’s TNT cohort, Reggie Miller, is that he along with Craig Sager and Marv Albert are being featured in the next “Griffin Force” commercial for the Kia Optima.

Yes we are getting our “Griffin Force” on. KIA commercial coming soon, SO FUNNY!!! pic.twitter.com/DU4YzWfiUX — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) March 5, 2014

And, last but certainly not least among advertisers, we have Kobe Bryant, who—while still in the league—is certainly not far from knocking on retirement’s door.

Bryant has has painstakingly crafted a hand-built piano, all in an effort to sell his latest line of Nike gear, The Kobe IX Collection—which can be found at Foot Locker.