He is one of the biggest names in basketball. He was also one of the biggest players in the NBA during his time and won just about everything going in the game. But his profile has not diminished since retiring. In fact, more people than ever now know Shaq if anything, thanks to his TV work and many endorsements.
He may not be the main reason why hoops fans consult online sportsbook reviews to see where to place their bets these days. But Shaq is still a dominant figure in the sport and has shown that a profitable career does not have to be over just because the knees can’t quite take the rigor of the daily game schedule anymore.
So what is Shaq’s net worth in 2024? We will take a look at the financial situation for the Big Diesel, as well as how he arrived at the position he is in today. It has been a successful journey for Shaq – and one that keeps on getting more exciting for him and his legion of fans.
Shaquille O’Neal Net Worth
Shaq was always one of the highest-paid basketball players in the NBA and his fortune has continued to grow since retiring. It is currently estimated that Shaq’s net worth is around $400 million, thanks to his many endorsements and investments – alongside the vast amounts of money he made as a player.
Shaquille O’Neal Income
Although it has recently been revealed that Shaq missed out on millions by delaying joining the NBA for a year when he was still at LSU, he immediately signed some of the biggest deals in the history of the league.
His rookie deal with the Orlando Magic gave him over $4 million a year for four years. But it was when he moved to California that his contract numbers really jumped. His seven-year $120 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers may not sound quite as incredible today. But back in 1996, it was an unheard of amount – especially considering everything else that was involved.
Shaq went on to sign more deals worth just under $30 million a year with the Lakers and then the Miami Heat, before his career began to wind down because of age and injury. Even his final deal of his playing career – with the Boston Celtics – brought in another two million.
Throughout his time on the court, Shaq enjoyed the endorsement of a number of high-profile companies that boosted his bank balance and profile even higher. He also signed recording deals and featured in a number of blockbuster films in the 1990s when he was still playing in the NBA.
But even in retirement, Shaq has continued to sign big-money contracts. Reebok, Taco Bell, and Wheaties are just some of the brands that pay him handsomely and he has also invested in a number of food companies. That includes once owning around 10% of all Five Guys restaurants.
Even with all his other endorsements and investments, it is Shaq’s media profile that probably brings in the biggest chunk of money. He reportedly makes around $10 million a year for his work with TNT Sports and is one of the biggest names when it comes to NBA punditry.
Shaquille O’Neal Early Life
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 6, 1972 and came from a tall family. Both his mother and father were over 6ft tall and Shaq was already 6ft 6 when he was just 13. His stepfather’s career in the military meant that Shaq and his family lived in Germany before coming back to settle in San Antonio, Texas.
By the time he finished high school, Shaq had grown again to just under 7ft and decided to play at Louisiana State University. He won numerous awards in his three years at LSU before electing to forego his senior year and make himself eligible for the NBA Draft in 1992. Unsurprisingly, he was taken with the number one pick overall by the Orlando Magic.
Shaquille O’Neal Career
Shaq immediately made an impact on the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year Award and helping the Magic to a 41-41 record – that’s 20 more wins than the previous season. Although the Magic missed the playoffs, they would become a second home for Shaq in the years to come.
Shaq only missed out on the postseason once in his career (in his final injury-plagued year with Miami) and was regularly a league leader with his field goal percentage. His weakness from the free throw line was well known throughout his career but he more than made up for that in all other aspects of his game. In fact, he was the reason why the NBA strengthened the backboards in 1994 after he had shattered a good number due to his powerful dunks.
By the end of his playing career, Shaq had become a four-time NBA champion, winning finals with both the Lakers and the Heat. He won the NBA Finals MVP award in three of those years too. He was named as an NBA All-Star on 15 occasions and had his number retired by the Lakers, Heat, and Magic. He has also made the LSU Hall of Fame and there is a statue of his likeness outside the LSU practice facility.
The Future for Shaq
With so many different business interests, it doesn’t seem like Shaq’s career is going to slow down any time soon. He still enjoys a massive profile inside and outside of basketball and is signing bigger and bigger deals all the time. We definitely have not seen the last of Big Diesel quite yet.