Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to sit still. From his Hall of Fame basketball career to his booming post-retirement business empire, “The Big Aristotle” continues to reinvent himself in ways that keep fans talking. His latest move? Stepping right into the world of artificial intelligence.
After 13 seasons lighting up TNT’s Inside the NBA, Shaq and the rest of the crew — Charles Barkley, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and Ernie Johnson — are taking their talents to ESPN for the 2025–26 season. But that’s not the only big news in Shaq’s world. On Sunday, O’Neal revealed he’s now part of Sora, a cutting-edge AI video platform that lets users create realistic short videos using written prompts and digital cameos.
To celebrate, Shaq shared a hilarious and impressive clip of himself as a Los Angeles Dodgers player, rounding the bases after a massive home run. The AI-generated video even came with play-by-play commentary:
“First pitch coming… He absolutely crushes that one to left… Way back, forget it. That ball is gone. Come on, big fella!”
Fans immediately flooded social media with reactions, many amused by the sight of a 7-foot-1 Shaq sprinting around the diamond. The post came right after Shohei Ohtani led the Dodgers to a Game 4 win in the NLCS, giving the moment an extra bit of baseball magic.
Shaq isn’t the only icon to appear on Sora’s platform. Digital versions of Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and even Muhammad Ali are also available, along with pop culture figures like Jake Paul and Mark Cuban. But few names carry the same fun, larger-than-life appeal as Shaq — a man who’s become a global symbol of energy, humor, and heart.
“I’m on Sora @shaq34diesel,” Shaq posted on Instagram, inviting fans to check it out for themselves.
This new venture adds another line to Shaq’s ever-growing list of business and entertainment moves. Beyond Sora, he owns or invests in a range of food franchises like Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme, and his own fast-growing chain, Big Chicken, which now spans hundreds of locations across the U.S. and even overseas. Add to that his endorsement deals with Oreo, Icy Hot, Pepsi, Carnival, and more — and it’s clear the Diesel empire shows no signs of slowing down.
What makes this latest partnership so fitting is that it reflects Shaq’s long-time knack for connecting with fans in fresh, unexpected ways. Whether it’s through business, basketball, or now AI, he always manages to blend humor, innovation, and authenticity.
Next up, Shaq returns to TV screens with Inside the NBA’s ESPN debut on October 22, just in time for the Knicks-Cavaliers season opener at Madison Square Garden. Between his new digital alter ego and a new network, one thing’s for sure — the Big Fella is still finding new ways to keep things BIG.