Our main man, Shaquille O’Neal, is a legend on and off the court. We all know him for his dominant NBA career, his hilarious antics, and his insightful commentary on Inside the NBA. But did you know Shaq is also a business titan with an investment philosophy as unique as his free throws? (Just kidding, Shaq! We love you!)
Recently, the big fella was at a Big Pod event in Vegas, and he dished on his investment strategy. Forget picking favorites, because for Shaq, every company he’s with has to pass one crucial test: he has to genuinely like the product! As he wisely put it, “If I don’t like your product, I can’t take your money and sell something I don’t like to the people. I just can’t do it.” Preach, Shaq! We wouldn’t want him selling us “Shaq’s Secret Sauce” if he secretly thought it tasted like old gym socks.
His latest splash? Investing in BeatBox, that ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage that got a huge boost from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. Turns out, Shaq saw it at concerts and his DJ gigs (more on that in a sec!) and thought it was Capri Sun. Imagine his surprise when he took a sip and was like, “This is pretty good!” But the real kicker? His investment muse is none other than Mr. Wonderful’s partner in crime, Mark Cuban. Shaq said, “Whenever Mark is investing in, I’m investing in. Mark could say, ‘Hey, I got a toilet tissue brand coming out.’ I’m doing it.” We’re not saying we’d buy Shaq-branded toilet paper, but… okay, maybe we would. We’re big fans!
But Shaq’s not in it for the “money play” – he’s all about being a teammate and helping these companies reach the next level. That’s the kind of dedication we admire! He admits he doesn’t even know how much he invested in BeatBox, which just goes to show it’s about passion, not just profit, for our guy.
And speaking of passion, let’s talk about DJ Diesel! When he’s not busy being a business genius, Shaq is tearing up the nightclub scene as DJ Diesel. He calls it his “adrenaline reset,” and honestly, it sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a long day of, well, being Shaq. He even compares DJing to playing in the NBA Finals! “If people are going to pay money to watch it perform, give them a f–king great show,” he said, recalling his father’s valuable lesson. That dedication to entertainment, whether on the court or behind the turntables, is what makes Shaq truly one-of-a-kind.
He even touched on the “small market” team debate in the NBA, arguing that social media is blurring the lines. He’d rather have the best player (like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander!) than just a big market. Smart man, Shaq! It seems the dynasty era might be over, with 9 different champions in Adam Silver’s 11 years as commissioner.
So, there you have it. Shaquille O’Neal: investor, DJ, hoops legend, and all-around good guy. He’s living proof that with a strong work ethic, good friends, smart people around you, and a genuine love for what you do, you can achieve anything. Keep on shining, Shaq!