Shaquille O’Neal’s business game is starting to look just as dominant as his post moves once were. While most retired athletes kick back and cash royalty checks, Shaq’s out here eyeing billion-dollar playgrounds. With talks swirling about NBA expansion into Las Vegas — a venture that would include team ownership and a shiny new stadium — you’d think the Big Diesel had his hands full. But nope. The man’s already looking at the next big thing, and it’s got a European passport.
Shaq’s always had a thing for big dreams and bigger stages. Lately, he’s been flexing his cape with DC’s $7 billion Superman reboot, popping up in promos and talking about how the Man of Steel made him believe he could outrun trains as a kid. It wasn’t just nostalgia — Shaq was sliding into the spotlight of one of Hollywood’s priciest franchises. But just when it looked like he was all in on saving the DC Universe, boom — a shot at owning a European basketball team lands on his plate. So now the question is: does Superman trade Metropolis for Naples?
A recent post from Italian Football TV’s X (formerly Twitter) breaks it down. With a caption, “Shaquille O’Neal could join Matt Rizzetta and Daniel Doyle’s investment group to take control of Napoli Basketball, as per Il Mattino The former NBA star’s longtime manager Mike Parris was spotted in this weekend in Naples on a scouting visit,” the post hints a significant move in Shaq’s aspirations as a team owner.
SHAQ TO NAPOLI?
Shaquille O’Neal could join Matt Rizzetta and Daniel Doyle’s investment group to take control of Napoli Basketball, as per Il Mattino
The former NBA star’s longtime manager Mike Parris was spotted this weekend in Naples on a scouting visit pic.twitter.com/zqTGCghvNX
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) May 10, 2025
If things go Shaq’s way, he might be stacking even more zeros onto his empire. The real question? Does he ditch his $7 billion Hollywood playground to chase this new European basketball goldmine? Or does he do what Shaq does best — juggle both with those massive mitts of his? Either way, you can bet fans (and investors) will be watching every move.
Inside Shaquille O’Neal’s $500 million business empire
Shaquille O’Neal ain’t just one of the most dominant forces to ever touch a basketball, he is a straight-up business machine off the court, too. With a reported $500 million net worth, Shaq’s been stacking those bags long after hanging up his size 22s.
It all started back at LSU when big fella was tearing up college hoops, before the Orlando Magic snatched him up with the No. 1 pick in the 1992 Draft. His rookie contract? A cool $17.4 million over four years, which sounds like lunch money compared to what rookies like Wemby are pulling in now. But here’s where it gets spicy: in ‘96, Jerry West moved heaven and earth to land Shaq in L.A., handing him a seven-year, $120 million deal. At the time, that was the biggest contract in sports history. Man was making history before Instagram could even flex it.
And you think he stopped there? Nah. Big Diesel flipped that hoop money into a business empire. He’s a part-time DJ, a full-time TV personality on Inside the NBA making $10 million a year, and don’t forget that Papa John’s play in 2019. Not only did he invest in nine franchises, but he also joined the board and became the face of the brand. That deal alone? Reportedly $8 million. Shaq’s everywhere and I mean everywhere.
Retired since 2011, yet still pulling $60 million a year like it’s nothing. He literally makes more now than he ever did hooping. MJ, LeBron, and Magic might be billionaires, but nobody’s flipped their personal brand the way Shaq has. And now with this Europe league deal swirling, if he locks that in too? Oh man… Shaq’s about to need a bigger vault.
The post Shaquille O’Neal Potentially Abandons $7 Billion Dream As Adam Silver Opens Up $500 Million Opportunity Overseas appeared first on EssentiallySports.