A Look at How Shaquille O’Neal Became A Mogul

Whether you know Shaquille O’Neal from his glory days as a Los Angeles Laker or you only know him as the IcyHot man, there’s one thing for certain–the man has been around for a long time and is mammoth both on the court and off of it. In fact, he’s so much of big deal that he’s garnered multiple millions over the course of his long and continuous career and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon.

But how exactly has he amassed his millions and earned a reported net worth of $500 million in 2025? Check the breakdown below.

NBA Days

Before Shaq famously rocked purple and gold, he was sporting blue and white as the number one draft pick in 1992 for the Orlando Magic NBA team. For his participation and basketball prowess, he would earn a $17 million over four years. By the time his contract was up, the Magic only offered him $54 million to stay on. That’s why, in 1996, Shaq decided to go to the West Coast and play for the Lakers, where signed a historic, seven-year-long deal for $120 million.

By the time he was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, he played there in South Beach for three years under a $100 million deal. In 2007, he was a Phoenix Sun’s player under a two-year, $40 million contract. Rounding off his career with one season a piece with the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Shaq ended his time in the NBA making somewhere between $284-$292 million.

Endorsement Deals and Brand Partnerships

In between his time working for the Magic and Lakers, Shaq made a handful of endorsement deals with major companies like Pepsi and Reebok for $10 million and $40 million, respectively. After so many years, he decided to cut ties with Reebok and create his own shoe line to sell at Walmart. Those shoes have reportedly brought in over $400 million in the 25 years since they’ve been at the retailer. He would later return to Reebok in 2024 to serve as their President of Basketball Operations.

Additionally as of 2024, Shaq has hand in over 30 different businesses ranging from food and beverage companies to lifestyle products and more. One of his biggest investments is the deal he had with the popular burger joint franchise Five Guys. Per reports, Shaq once bought and sold 155 restaurants, which gave him a 10 percent stake in the company.

In 2016, he would sell that stake so he could focus on other business ventures like his deals with: Papa John’s Pizza (which brought in $11 million in cash and stock as of 2022); Krispy Kreme doughnuts (he became the global spokesperson after buying a location in Atlanta for $2.75 million in 2016); his own Chicken Spot Big Chicken that he founded in 2018 (it’s now grown to over 40 locations as of 2025.)

He also once owned a stake in the Sacramento Kings (he later sold it in 2022) and at least 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels companies which brought in $300,000 at its peak but he later sold his stake.

ESPN Time

If you’re still fan of the NBA and spend any time watching it on TNT, then you no doubt have seen Shaq’s face breaking down stats on “Inside the NBA” alongside colleagues and cohosts Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. As of February 2025, Shaq renewed his contract for over $15 million a year with no apparent end in sight as he’s been a fixture on the show since 2011.

Other Business Ventures

While exact figures for these deals are unknown, Shaq also was able to earn his multiple millions by owning over 40 24-Hour Fitness gyms, 150 car washes nationwide; partnering with other brands like IcyHot, Gold Bond, The General Insuranc; investing in companies like Vitamin Water, Google, Muscle Milk. He’s also a major investor in Authentic Brands Group which owns a handful of other companies like JC Penney (that Big and Tall section ring a bell?); Barneys New York; Forever 21 and more.

What’s more is that Shaq also reportedly owns celebrities’ likenesses of a handful of stars including Elvis Presley, Muhammed Ali, Marilyn Monroe and more.