Shaquille O’Neal hasn’t played an NBA game since 2011, but apparently retirement hasn’t exactly hurt his earning power.
Not even close.
Shaq reportedly earns approximately $15 million per year from his sports media work, putting the four-time NBA champion among the 10 highest-paid personalities in sports broadcasting.
That’s right.
The man gets paid millions to watch basketball, argue with Charles Barkley and occasionally laugh so hard he can barely remain upright.
Some people really do figure out retirement.
According to a recent ranking of sports media’s biggest earners, Shaq is tied with legendary broadcaster Al Michaels at around $15 million annually. O’Neal reportedly signed a long-term extension with TNT Sports that keeps him firmly planted in the television world where he’s become nearly as recognizable to younger fans as he was during his playing days.
And that’s saying something.
Shaq joined TNT following his NBA retirement in 2011, becoming part of the network’s wildly popular basketball coverage alongside Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith.
It turned out to be a pretty good career move.
While Shaq obviously brings basketball expertise to the studio, that’s only part of what makes him valuable. He’s also unpredictable, funny and completely comfortable making himself the punchline.
You never quite know whether you’re getting serious basketball analysis, an argument with Chuck or something that will become a social-media clip before the commercial break ends.
That’s television gold.
And Shaq has some extremely well-paid company in the sports-media business.
Kirk Herbstreit reportedly earns around $16 million annually, while former NFL quarterback Tony Romo and longtime broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck each bring in approximately $18 million.
Then there’s Shaq’s longtime television sparring partner Barkley, whose reported annual earnings of roughly $21 million put him even higher among sports media’s biggest names.
Pat McAfee reportedly makes around $30 million annually, while seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady earns approximately $37.5 million per year through his massive broadcasting agreement with Fox.
At the top is Stephen A. Smith, whose combined media ventures reportedly generate around $40 million annually.
Those are some serious numbers.
But Shaq’s place among them is particularly interesting because television represents only one piece of his enormous post-basketball career.
He’s also built an impressive business portfolio involving investments, restaurants, endorsements and numerous brand partnerships. Then there’s his continuing music career as DJ Diesel, which has him performing for massive crowds at festivals and venues around the country.
Somewhere in there, presumably, the man sleeps.
Maybe.
What makes Shaq’s broadcasting success especially remarkable is its longevity. Plenty of superstar athletes land television opportunities after retirement. Far fewer become genuine media personalities who remain relevant year after year.
Shaq has done exactly that.
Fifteen years after his NBA career ended, he’s still talking basketball, entertaining fans and collecting a paycheck that would make most professional athletes pretty happy.
Turns out The Big Aristotle had another lesson for us.
Retirement planning works a little differently when your pension includes $15 million a year for talking basketball.
Not a bad second act.