May 22, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NBA player and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal enters the arena before game three of the 2022 western conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t just a sports legend, he’s a business juggernaut with a playbook that extends far beyond the basketball court. Whether it’s fast food chains, tech investments, or sneaker deals, Shaq has mastered the art of turning opportunities into gold. But did he ever bring his larger-than-life presence to ABC’s hit reality show Shark Tank?
The short answer is no, at least, not in the official sense. Shaq has never taken a seat alongside Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, or Lori Greiner as an investor on the show. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been connected to Shark Tank in major ways. Over the years, several businesses that have appeared on the show have struck deals with him after their time in the Tank.
Shaq’s approach to business mirrors that of the Sharks on the show. He isn’t just investing for the sake of it, Shaquille O’Neal’s business empire spans franchises, tech, fashion, and media, with multiple Shark Tank-linked investments shaping his success.he looks for companies with potential, strong branding, and products that can benefit from his larger-than-life personality.
Whether it’s tech innovations, food brands, or fashion, Shaq has mastered the art of turning good business ideas into gold. Let’s dive into the biggest Shark Tank-affiliated deals that Shaq has been involved with and how they’ve contributed to his ever-expanding business empire.
The Biggest Shark Tank-Linked Deals Shaq Has Made
While Shaq wasn’t a guest Shark, he has still been involved in multiple business ventures that first made their mark on Shark Tank. Here are the biggest ones:
1. Big Chicken and Its Shark Tank Ties
Shaq’s fast-casual restaurant chain, Big Chicken, has been expanding rapidly. While it wasn’t pitched on Shark Tank, its growth is connected to the show in multiple ways.
One of Shark Tank’s most well-known investors, Matt Higgins, made a deal on the show with the food franchise company Nextbite, which specializes in virtual restaurant brands. In 2022, Nextbite partnered with Big Chicken, helping Shaq’s brand expand into new markets via delivery-only models. This connection is a classic example of how Shaq’s business empire indirectly benefits from Shark Tank investors.
2. BeatBox Beverages: Revolutionizing Party Drinks
BeatBox Beverages appeared on Shark Tank in 2014, securing a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban. Attracted by its innovative approach to party drinks, Shaquille O’Neal later invested in the company and collaborated to launch an exclusive flavor, Blueberry Lemonade.
Although he has not disclosed the amount he invested, he created a YouTube advertisement with the company, significantly expanding the brand’s reach.
3. MAXPRO Fitness: Innovating Home Workouts
MAXPRO Fitness introduced a compact, portable fitness device on Shark Tank, securing a $500,000 investment from Mark Cuban. Recognizing its potential, Shaquille O’Neal also invested and became a brand ambassador. Shaq helped increase its reach by sharing it on his Instagram through a post, flaunting his new ripped body, Shaq works up a sweat to live up to the MAXPRO motto, “Be epic, train epic.” After the official company page released the commercial. His involvement has amplified the brand’s visibility, appealing to consumers seeking versatile home workout solutions. Seems like Mark Cuban and Shaq share the same foresight!
4. Ring: Transforming Home Security
In 2013, Jamie Siminoff introduced Doorbot, a Wi-Fi-enabled video doorbell, on Shark Tank. Despite not securing a deal, the company rebranded as Ring and gained traction. Shaquille O’Neal, seeking enhanced home security, invested $1 million in Ring initially and became a brand ambassador. His involvement boosted the company’s visibility, leading to its $1 billion acquisition by Amazon in 2018
5. Steady: Helping Gig Workers with Financial Stability
Shaquille O’Neal invested in Steady, a financial platform that connects gig workers with income opportunities, tools, and benefits. Steady appeared on Shark Tank in 2020, where Mark Cuban invested $500,000 in the platform. Shaq later partnered with the company giving them around $2 million in emergency cash grants for members experiencing income loss, leveraging his influence to help workers improve their financial security.
A similar pattern can be seen in Shaq’s investments to what we see on Shark Tank: he looks for innovative products that solve real-world problems, have strong brand potential, and can benefit from his massive influence. Much like the Sharks on Shark Tank, Shaq offers name recognition, marketing power, and direct access to millions of consumers.
With a net worth exceeding $400 million and an ever-growing business portfolio, Shaq continues to prove that he’s not just a Hall of Famer on the court, he’s a Hall of Famer in the business world, too. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see him sitting in that iconic chair, grilling eager entrepreneurs with a simple question: “Tell me why I should invest.”
The post Was Shaquille O’Neal On Shark Tank? Breaking Down His Biggest Collabs From $4 Billion Network’s Reality Hit appeared first on EssentiallySports.