The Inspiring Story of Shaq
And how he built his empire.
In this article we’ll talk about Shaq net worth, his career, how he built his empire and key lessons from his success.
Who is Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal)?
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, better known as Shaq, is a former professional basketball player and currently a basketball analyst for the television program, Inside the NBA.
People consider him one of the best and most dominant players of all time.
He is a center who played for six teams in the NBA over a 19 year career, and is a four-time NBA Champion.
He won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat.
Shaq played college basketball at LSU Tigers and he was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
In his first year he established himself as one of the best centers in the league, he won Rookie of the Year that same year (1992–1993).
Shaquille was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey.
His parents are Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. His father was a basketball player as well.
In high school he was All-State guard and he was offered a scholarship to play in Seton Hall.
Unfortunately, due to drug problems, he was not in Shaquille’s life and instead he agreed to relinquish his parental rights.
His stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a career Army Sergeant, raised him.
He’s not married at the moment but he had six children during his previous relationships.
Shaq Net Worth and How He Achieved It
Shaq net worth is $400 Million, as of 2023. He amassed his fortune not only during his time in the NBA, but also through investments, television and films.
How Does Shaquille O’Nile Make Money?
Shaquille O’Neal had a very successful career as one of the best basketball players in history.
The NBA star won four NBA championships and is one of the highest-paid athletes of all time, which contributes to his impressive net worth.
First, he was a part of the Orlando Magic team but was then offered a $121 million deal to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
Together with Kobe Bryant, they were two of the biggest names on the NBA scene. Shaq continued his career by playing in several other teams until his final season with the Boston Celtics.
How does Shaq make money outside of basketball?
Aside from being one of the best on the basketball court, Shaquille O’Neal is also a renowned entrepreneur and a TV host. In the early 90s, he pursued a career in the rap and movie industry.
In 1993, he released his first of four rap albums called Shaq Diesel, which became certified platinum.
The basketball star has appeared in several films, including Blue Chips, He Got Game, Steel, Uncle Drew, and Kazaam.
Shaq has also been featured as a guest in several TV shows, such as The Parkers, Fresh Off the Boat, Shaq Life, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Throughout his career, this talented player has also explored several career options, including being a DJ and a music producer. Shaq has also starred in several video games and reality series.
Nowadays, O’Neal hosts a podcast called The Big Podcast with Shaq, and, as we mentioned, he is often working as a commentator for NBA games and as sports analyst.
Other income streams
Shaquille is also an entrepreneur, as he invests in all types of companies, such as General Electric, Apple, PepsiCo.
In 2019 he joined Papa John’s board of directors and invested in the opening of nine stores in Atlanta. He is also the spokesman for the company.
Below you can find a few businesses he invested in:
- Papa John’s;
- Auntie Annie’s;
- Car Washes — he has owned approximately 150 car washes;
- Five Guys — he has owned over a hundred Five Guys restaurants, according to El Pais;
- 24 Hour Fitness;
- Krispy Kreme;
- Lyft;
- JCPenney.
Shaq on Social Media
On Instagram, Shaquille has 27.2 Million followers and he usually posts pictures of himself, family, and different events that he attends.
On Twitter, Shaquille has 15.8 Million followers and he usually posts pictures and videos of himself and other celebrities doing different activities, such as partying and doing podcasts.
Shaquille O’Neal Quotes
“I never worry about the problem. I worry about the solution.”
“For all my friends in the media who like quotes, mark this quote down. From this day on I’d like to be known as ‘The Big Aristotle’ because Aristotle once said, ‘Excellence is not a singular act; it’s a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.”
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m used to it, I prepare for it. Like I say, at the end of the day, those in charge of their own destiny are going to do what’s right for them and their family.”
Key Takeaways from Shaq Career
Don’t let anyone convince you can’t achieve your dream
Throughout his career, Shaq faced a lot of criticism when his team couldn’t manage to win a championship.
However, that didn’t stop him from following his dreams, as he stated that he has learned to turn criticism into motivation.
Even if a person doesn’t get right away what they desire, working toward their goals without giving up is the key to accomplishment. Shaq teaches people to strive to succeed and always have a backup plan to fall back on.
Don’t give up on your path to success
Everyone knows Shaquille O’Neal as one of the best professional basketball players in the league. However, he didn’t become successful overnight, and his path to success took a lot of hard work and time.
He took advice from other big names in the basketball world to succeed, and he had a strong supporting system: his stepfather and his uncles.
Shaq was taught to never give up, showing that everyone should learn how to fail in order to become successful.
Always think ahead, invest in your future
Shaq was destined for greatness in the basketball world but he did not make the same mistake that several professional athletes do.
He invested in himself and doing this he secured his future and also the future of his loved ones.
Remember that no matter how much money you have, it is not forever. You need to invest and put your money where you know it can grow.
Yes, it might be a risk, since not all investments are 100% reliable, but it’s a risk that you need to take if you truly want to build wealth.
And you can always minimize the risk by diversifying.
Recommended read: How to Become a Millionaire in 5 Years or Less
Share with the less fortunate
Shaq is also known to be a people’s hero. He knows that if you’re blessed it is always good to share it with the less fortunate.
Shaq, as so many professional players, got a lot of endorsements.
One day he was offered a shoe endorsement, but what he did was amazing. Instead of following the footsteps of most of his colleagues, he made his shoes affordable for kids from low-income families.
This way, he made sure those kids could have their own pair of snickers with the brand “SHAQ” on them. Thanks to him, having that pair of shoes wasn’t an unattainable dream for them.
Make a difference in the world
Shaq is a philanthropist who frequently donates to charities and people who are struggling financially. His main goal has always been to bring hope and change in communities and create a brighter future for the youth.
Therefore, he launched the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and hired experts and business leaders for the programs and projects, inspiring everyone to make a difference by donating and helping the children reach their full potential.
The NBA star also partnered with local organizations for donations, as he was inspired by his mother, who taught him to always do good for others.
Shaq’s mission is to provide resources and opportunities for the youth, create a great impact, and set an example they can look up to.
