Long before Shaquille O’Neal became a boardroom power player, he was something far more terrifying — a problem opposing coaches started losing sleep over days before tip-off. At 7-foot-1 with unmatched power and agility, Shaq didn’t just dominate games; he dictated entire game plans. But what makes his story even more remarkable is what happened after basketball stopped being his full-time job.
Shaq didn’t fade away. He leveled up.
Widely considered one of the top 10 players in NBA history — and often ranked even higher — O’Neal seamlessly transitioned from generational athlete to generational wealth builder. And recently, the Big Fella explained why that transition is something so many former professional athletes struggle to make.
The short answer? Taxes and lifestyle choices.
Speaking candidly in a recent sit-down with FOX 26’s Jade Flury, Shaq expanded on a comment made by NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., who bluntly said it’s easy to spend $100 million. At first glance, that sounds absurd. But Shaq quickly broke down why it’s not.
“I heard Odell say the other day, it’s easy to spend 100 million. He’s correct,” Shaq explained. “Because if you understand business and all those terms, you are not netting 100 million. You gotta pay tax.”
And not just regular tax.
Shaq pointed out that professional athletes are hit with multiple layers — federal taxes, state taxes, and something many people don’t even realize exists: entertainment tax. Depending on where you play, nearly half of that headline number can disappear before the money ever hits your account.
“That’s mistake number one,” Shaq emphasized — not understanding what you’re actually taking home.
The second mistake, according to O’Neal, is lifestyle inflation.
Athletes grind for years to earn that first massive paycheck, and when it arrives, the temptation to reward themselves is overwhelming. Jewelry. Luxury cars. Massive homes. Supporting extended families. None of it is wrong — but all of it adds up quickly.
“We pay a lot of taxes, and families, and you know, we like our jewelry, and we like our cars,” Shaq said. “So that money is easy to disappear.”
Shaq knows this reality better than most. During his 19-year NBA career, he earned approximately $286 million in salary alone. But instead of letting that be the peak, he used it as a launchpad. Today, his estimated net worth sits near $500 million, built through smart investing, ownership stakes, endorsements, and long-term thinking.
That’s why Shaq doesn’t just diagnose the problem — he offers a solution.
“You have to teach yourself business,” he said. “Teach yourself about investing. Teach yourself how to save.”
It’s advice that applies far beyond professional sports.
Just as Shaq remains the gold standard for dominant centers in the paint, he’s become a blueprint for athletes — and everyday people — looking to turn short-term success into long-term security. When Dr. O’Neal speaks about money, it’s worth listening.
Because dominance doesn’t have to end when the game clock hits zero.