Shaquille O’Neal has never done anything small — not on the basketball court, not in business, and definitely not in his personal car collection, which includes everything from Lamborghinis and Ferraris to customized trucks big enough to fit his 7’1” frame. So it’s no surprise that when Carvana, the online pioneer in buying and selling cars, looked for a larger-than-life partner, they turned to Shaq.
Carvana announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, and cultural icon, unveiling the world’s first AI-powered Shaqbot as part of a national brand campaign. The Shaqbot, designed with O’Neal’s real voice and personality, brings humor, energy, and Shaq-sized entertainment into the online car-shopping process. Customers can use the bot to browse vehicles, ask questions, and even get some classic Shaq one-liners along the way.
“I’ve been buying and selling cars for years, and when I found Carvana, I really loved the ease and innovation of the brand,” O’Neal explained. “That’s what makes my partnership with Carvana so exciting. And now for other Carvana fans, they can have a little fun with Shaqbot — an assistant as smart, smooth, and good-looking as me.”
For Shaq, the collaboration makes perfect sense. Beyond his love of luxury sports cars and tricked-out SUVs, he’s long been fascinated with how people experience buying cars. He once admitted that fitting into regular vehicles was always a challenge early in his career, so he learned to customize rides to suit his lifestyle. Partnering with Carvana allows him to share that passion with fans while making the process simpler for everyday buyers.
The campaign extends beyond just the Shaqbot. Highlights include:
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Shaqvana.com — a dedicated microsite featuring Shaq-approved cars, curated picks, and exclusive content.
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Shaq Filter — a unique vehicle search tool based on Shaq’s preferences like roomy interiors, high horsepower, and sunroofs.
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National Ad Campaign — broadcast and digital spots starring O’Neal, showing how Carvana can “get Shaqified.”
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Interactive Fun — more Shaq-powered surprises expected throughout the year, including a holiday-themed “Haulerdays” event.
Carvana co-founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton praised O’Neal as the perfect ambassador: “Shaq brings the perfect mix of big personality, big heart, and big ideas. He’s not just in the ads; he’s in the experience. The Shaqbot shows what’s possible when you combine technology, creativity, and fun.”
With Carvana’s track record of making car buying fast and fair — customers can finance, trade in, and buy entirely online — and Shaq’s ability to bring excitement to everything he touches, the collaboration is already turning heads. Whether it’s helping you laugh while you shop or pointing you toward a roomy SUV big enough for the Diesel himself, the Shaqbot makes car buying a little smoother — and a lot more fun.