“NIL, I think, is definitely gonna hurt people.” Shaquille O’Neal has had his fair share of issues with the Name, Likeness, Image system and other changes that now exist in college sports. But now it seems to have reached a point where he is considering pulling back support from his alma mater, Louisiana State University.
Let’s face it — college sports haven’t been the same since NIL entered the picture. For years, student-athletes gave everything they had on the field and off, often without any financial reward. That changed in 2021 when the NIL policy flipped the system on its head, letting players cash in on their personal brands. Sounds fair, right? Sure, but it also opened up a new reality. Athletes now have the power to switch schools, jump into the transfer portal, and chase bigger paydays.
And that’s where Shaq starts raising his eyebrows. The idea of athletes bouncing from one program to another just for the money doesn’t sit well with him. During a recent podcast episode, his co-host Adam Lefkoe reminded listeners of a bold stance Shaq had once taken. “I told the people at LSU I’m not writing you guys a check if guys aren’t going to commit to us for 2-3 years,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast With Shaq.
For Shaquille O’Neal, it’s not just about loyalty—it’s about the ripple effects. He pointed out how the transfer frenzy is sidelining young high school recruits who now get overlooked because schools prefer players who already have college experience. “I feel sorry for them,” he said, clearly frustrated.
Credit: Photo By USA TODAY
Even broadcaster John Fanta, who joined the conversation, shared his concern. He questioned what long-term connection athletes would have to any school if they keep hopping around. “What happens 20 years from now, when you spend four years at four different places? Who do you have allegiance to? That should still matter.”
It’s a valid question—and one that might just decide where Shaq’s next donation ends up. And this isn’t the first time that Big Diesel has voiced his issues with the NIL system.
Why does Shaquille O’Neal believe NIL will “hurt” college athletes’ higher ambitions
At first glance, the former Los Angeles Lakers star might seem like one of those legends always calling out the new generation. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see he’s not hating on the game—he’s trying to protect it. The pressure he puts on young athletes isn’t about tearing them down.
If anything, it’s about reminding them what they’re chasing. What really frustrates him is seeing players lose their hunger once they start benefiting from NIL deals. “NIL, I think, is definitely gonna hurt people,” Shaq admitted on one of the episodes of his podcast. “For people that have nothing, when you get something, it takes the pressure off. But that something should be the final prize. The final prize should be the NBA.”
However, it’s not as if the former Lakers star is against students earning for themselves using the popularity they’ve built through the game. He even once said he’s “happy for these kids.” However, he cannot resist the concern that these college kids need to be smart with this money. In fact, suggesting that the college athletes should utilize only a small portion of their NIL earnings, Shaq even stated he wants them to “go out and get more NIL deals.” But at no cost does he want these budding basketball talents to be blinded by short-term gains and miss out on the big thing.
The post Millionaire Shaquille O’Neal Rejects Donation to LSU If His Demands Aren’t Fulfilled appeared first on EssentiallySports.