Shaquille O’Neal has undeniably left a lasting mark in the basketball and entertainment world. Whether it’s his strategic business savvy personality from partnering with brands such as Reebok, Pepsi, and Icy Hot, or his side hustle career as DJ Diesel, the former NBA star and commentator knows how to turn a profit. Shaq has proven time and time again that he’s that guy on and off the screen. And though his presence left within the basketball world has garnered much of his current net worth, his media presence, entrepreneurship ventures, and philanthropic efforts are really to thank for his growing financial success.
Remaining a dominant force in the entertainment industry, Shaq O’Neal has undoubtedly transcended the boundaries of sports and media. Ahead, we dive into Shaq’s financial success by discussing his net worth and how he got to where he is today.
@shaq/Instagram
How He Got To Where He Is Today Financially
In addition to his basketball accolades, Shaq has tapped into other industries such as entertainment, music, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. In 1993, Shaq’s rap career began after releasing his first studio album, Shaq Diesel. From there his album eventually went platinum alongside one of his other albums, Shaq Fu: Da Return, which landed gold. And though Shaq’s music career was off to a great start, it eventually started to die down. However, he didn’t let that stop him from furthering himself in the music industry. From DJ-ing sets around the country, Shaq was still making waves and even landed a performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Moreover, his acting career was also the perfect side hustle for him with film debuts in 1996’s “Kazaam” and 1997’s “Steel.”
Shaq’s entrepreneurship ventures are to also thank for his rising financial success. After once owning 155 Five Guy restaurants, joining the board of directors at Papa John’s, and investing in Auntie Anne’s, Krispy Kreme, and others, there are a variety of companies that have benefited from Shaq’s investments including his longstanding relationships with Icy Hot and Gold Bond.
@shaq/Instagram
Shaq’s Net Worth
Sitting around $400 million, Shaq’s net worth began to increase during his NBA days when the Orlando Magic first selected him as the number one pick in the 1992 NBA draft. From there it was Shaq’s deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that helped him raise his net worth. After signing a seven-year, $120 million deal in the summer of 1996, Shaq officially rose to ball stardom as one of the highest-paid players in the league. Furthermore, Shaq ended up extending his contract by signing an $88 million dollar deal with the Lakers.
In the summer of 2005, Shaq signed a deal with the Miami Heat, paying him over $100 million during the course of the next five years. Where does Shaq rank financially among other NBA star players, you may ask? He’s currently number 9 in NBA salary history to receive such high earnings despite his decade-long retirement.
All in all, Shaq never seems to shy away from a business opportunity no matter if it’s a commercial or a business venture, making him a well-versed personality.
