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AriZona
Shaq Soda was a cream soda line produced by AriZona Beverages from 2013-2016 in partnership with Shaquille O’Neal. The line featured four flavors in 23.5-ounce cans sold for 99 cents before being discontinued in 2016.
Late 2012/Early 2013
AriZona Beverages Chairman Don Vultaggio initiated discussions with Shaquille O’Neal about creating a new drink in his name. O’Neal liked the idea and said, “One of my favorite drinks growing up in Newark as a kid was cream soda.”
May 28, 2013
AriZona and O’Neal announced the launch of Shaq Soda via Twitter and Facebook. O’Neal’s tweeted:
“Yo! @drinkarizona Just launched the new delicious #SodaShaq! Keep up kids :-) Comin to stores very soon.”
June 7, 2013
AriZona formally announced Shaq Soda in 23.5-ounce cans with four cream flavors:
They gave it the slogan “A Big Can for the Big Man.” Each cream soda was made with real Madagascar vanilla and pure cane sugar. With 90 calories per serving and no artificial preservatives. Each can came with the traditional AriZona $0.99 retail price.
By June 2013, over 50 million cans had been distributed to retailers nationwide. Shaq Soda was available in convenience stores, supermarkets, and gas stations.
July 10, 2013
By July, a custom-wrapped Shaq Soda RV toured New York City streets. Free sampling was executed at multiple locations until inventory depletion. The campaign emphasized direct consumer contact over mass media. AriZona hoped for a viral loop with consumers, especially on social media and word of mouth.
2016
From 2013 to 2016, Shaq Soda maintained consistent availability in nationwide markets using the established Arizona network infrastructure.
But by 2016, Shaq Soda was discontinued entirely. AriZona repurposed existing cans for its iced tea products. Nobody really knows why the product was retired, as we don’t have public sales records to say how well Shaq Soda did compared to other AriZona brands.
2021
July 2021
Shaquille O’Neal was not done making partnerships after Shaq Soda. In July 2021, the basketball star secured a partnership with The Alkaline Water Company, where he became a brand ambassador with a $10 million deal.
2025
Most recently, in March 2025, O’Neal announced an equity investment in ready-to-drink cocktail manufacturer BeatBox Beverages. The new deal included an exclusive Blueberry Lemonade flavor with the alcohol producer.
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