Sept. 27, 2026
Halftime Headliner in the Superdome
The New Orleans Saints asked the LSU legend to headline halftime as DJ Diesel at their 60th-season home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 27, 2026.
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Rapper · Actor · Genie · DJ · Doctor · Deputy · Mogul
Beyondthe Paint
Most players retire and take up golf. Shaq never really picked one job; he just kept adding them. Here's the side-hustle résumé of a man who has never once said, “That's probably not a good idea.”
DJ Diesel on the decks at Nationals Park, 2018.
Fresh off the press
The Latest
What the Big Fella has been up to lately.
Crowned celebrity monarch of the Krewe of Bacchus, Mardi Gras 2025.
April 6, 2026
$500KDUNKMAN grand prize
Commissioner of DUNKMAN
Shaq, Authentic Brands Group and TNT Sports launched DUNKMAN, a professional dunking league with Shaq as commissioner. The first season had 24 dunkers, four group-stage events, Olympic-style judging and a $500,000 prize. It started July 21, 2026, with the World Championship scheduled for Aug. 25 and three-time Slam Dunk champ Mac McClung on the roster.
April 29, 2025
General Manager, Sacramento State
In April 2025 Shaq agreed to a voluntary role as general manager of Sacramento State's men's basketball program, joining new head coach Mike Bibby's staff. His son Shaqir transferred to the program the same spring. Reports said he would focus on recruiting, marketing and player development.
Feb. 13, 2024
Orlando Retires No. 32, a Franchise First
On Feb. 13, 2024, the Orlando Magic retired Shaq's No. 32, the first number the franchise had ever retired. It joins his No. 34 with the Lakers and No. 32 with the Heat. “There's no other place I would have wanted to start my career,” he said.
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The desk, the bloopers, the Emmys
Television
From Inside the NBA on TNT to its new home on ESPN, plus reality TV, game shows and a Netflix series.
The Inside the NBA desk on opening night 2015: Shaq, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley.
June 2026
10Mviewers for the Game 3 pregame show
Inside the NBA's First NBA Finals
In June 2026 Inside the NBA covered the NBA Finals for the first time, calling Spurs vs. Knicks on ABC and ESPN. The Game 3 pregame show drew 10 million viewers, its most-watched edition ever. Front Office Sports named Shaq one of the Finals' early winners.
Oct. 22, 2025
35seasons on TNT
Inside the NBA's New Home: ESPN and ABC
When TNT lost its NBA rights, a November 2024 settlement licensed Inside the NBA to ESPN and ABC, with TNT Sports still producing it in Atlanta. The crew signed off from TNT after 35 seasons on May 31, 2025 and debuted on ESPN on Oct. 22, 2025. The show returns for 2026–27 with 25 regular-season appearances starting Oct. 21, 2026.
June 4, 2025
Power Moves on Netflix
Netflix's six-episode docuseries Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal premiered in June 2025. It follows Shaq and Allen Iverson's effort to revive Reebok Basketball, including signing Angel Reese to the brand's first NIL deal.
Feb. 14, 2025
$15M+reported annual salary
Locked In With TNT
In February 2025 Shaq reached a long-term extension with TNT Sports, reported at more than $15 million a year. The deal keeps him at the desk as Inside the NBA moves to ESPN and ABC.
July 18, 2024
$1Mtop prize
Lucky 13: Game Show Host
Shaq and Gina Rodriguez co-hosted ABC's Lucky 13, which premiered July 18, 2024. Contestants answer 13 true-or-false questions, bet on how many they got right and play for up to $1 million. Shaq's Jersey Legends Productions helped produce the show.
Dec. 21, 2023
The Big Podcast Network
In December 2023 Shaq partnered with Playmaker HQ to launch The Big Podcast Network, with a revamped weekly The Big Podcast with Shaq as its flagship show and Adam Lefkoe as co-host.
April 9, 2020
3M+total viewers for the premiere
Shaq Life on TNT
TNT's docuseries Shaq Life, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, premiered April 9, 2020. It followed Shaq through DJ gigs and business ventures while he raised his six kids. The two-episode premiere drew more than 3 million total viewers.
2012
21Sports Emmy Awards (show total, per ESPN, 2026)
Emmy Gold at the Desk
Inside the NBA kept winning with Shaq on board. The show took Sports Emmys in 2012, 2014 and 2016 and every year from 2019 through 2024, including Outstanding Studio Show awards for both its weekly and playoff editions. ESPN now bills it as a 21-time Sports Emmy winner.
July 14, 2011
Shaq Joins Inside the NBA
Right after his playing career ended, Shaq signed with Turner Sports on July 14, 2011 as a full-time analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA, alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. The deal also included a development agreement with Turner's entertainment and animation networks.
2011
Shaqtin' a Fool Is Born
Shaq's arrival brought Shaqtin' a Fool, the weekly blooper countdown created by Turner producer Mike Goldfarb, which debuted in the 2011–12 season. JaVale McGee won the first two “MVP” trophies, and LeBron James took the 2024–25 award.
June 26, 2007
Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs.
Before the TNT desk, Shaq starred in reality TV. ABC's Shaq's Big Challenge (2007) had him working with doctors, trainers and chef Tyler Florence to help six Broward County middle schoolers get healthy. In ABC's Shaq Vs. (premiered August 2009), he took on star athletes in their own sports.
Platinum, then EDM
Music
A platinum rap album as a rookie, a verse on a Michael Jackson song, and a second act as DJ Diesel.
July 2025
Most Dominant Ever, on the Decks Too
In July 2025 DJ Diesel released M.D.E. (“Most Dominant Ever”), a nine-track EP featuring Virtual Riot and Ivory. He was also booked for Lollapalooza Brasil in São Paulo in March 2026.
Aug. 18, 2023
Gorilla Warfare: DIESEL's Debut LP
Shaq's first album since 1998 came out on Monstercat on Aug. 18, 2023. Gorilla Warfare is a 10-track mix of dubstep, trap and hip-hop with collaborators including Jessica Audiffred, Hairitage, Kompany and Rated R.
Aug. 4, 2019
100,000+Lollapalooza 2023 crowd (Shaq's estimate)
Lollapalooza Mosh-Pit Master
Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell gave DJ Diesel a slot on Perry's stage in Chicago in 2019, and the set opened with fire, smoke and one of the weekend's biggest mosh pits. When he returned in August 2023, Shaq said he played to more than 100,000 people and called it “a championship game and a parade all in one.”
March 2018
Shaq's Fun House: Carnival, Circus, Rave
Shaq and the production company Medium Rare launched Shaq's Fun House during Miami Music Week in March 2018, combining a music festival, a carnival and a circus. It became a Super Bowl-weekend tradition starting in Atlanta in 2019. The Super Bowl LX edition took over the Cow Palace on Feb. 6, 2026, with Tiësto, T-Pain, Disco Lines and DJ Diesel himself.
Sept. 2015
DJ Diesel Takes the Decks
Shaq caught the EDM bug at a festival in 2014. He made his official DJ Diesel debut at TomorrowWorld in Georgia in September 2015, after taking some festival-booth tips from The Chainsmokers. By July 2016 he was spinning at Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Nov. 19, 1996
You Can't Stop the Reign, Featuring Biggie
After moving to Interscope, Shaq released You Can't Stop the Reign in 1996, with a title track featuring The Notorious B.I.G., and followed it with Respect in 1998. His rap collaborators have included RZA and Method Man, Ice Cube, KRS-One, Nate Dogg, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Common and Black Thought. He also has a guest spot on Michael Jackson's “2 Bad” from HIStory (1995).
Nov. 8, 1994
GoldRIAA certification
Shaq Fu: Da Return Strikes Gold
His second album came out a year after the first. Shaq Fu: Da Return landed on Jive in November 1994, peaked at No. 67 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
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Oct. 26, 1993
PlatinumRIAA certification (1 million units)
Shaq Diesel Goes Platinum
In his rookie season Shaq dropped his debut rap album, Shaq Diesel, on Jive Records, and it went platinum. It climbed to No. 25 on the Billboard 200, and both “What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” with Fu-Schnickens and “(I Know I Got) Skillz” went gold.
The mogul era
Business
Franchises, sneakers, chicken sandwiches and an early bet on Google. Mostly smart, occasionally fried.
Onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, 2023.
2026
~$400M–$500Mpublished estimates, 2016–2026
What's Shaq Worth? (Estimates)
These are estimates only. Forbes put Shaq at about $350 million in 2014 and at more than $400 million by 2016, after his Authentic Brands deal. Celebrity Net Worth currently lists him at about $500 million.
March 3, 2025
40+locations at the March 2025 Craveworthy deal
Big Chicken Goes Global
In March 2025 Craveworthy Brands came in as Big Chicken's managing partner and investor, when the chain had about 40 locations and more than 350 in development. Big Chicken has also gone international: Manchester's Co-op Live arena in England in 2024, Hamilton, Ontario in late 2025 and three restaurants in Honduras in March 2026.
Oct. 12, 2023
President of Reebok Basketball
On Oct. 12, 2023, Reebok named Shaq the first-ever president of Reebok Basketball, with Allen Iverson as vice president, to lead the brand's return to performance basketball. Shaq's statement: “We're back, baby! Get ready.”
Aug. 29, 2019
The Bezos Rule: Invest in Changing Lives
Shaq has said his investing changed after he took Jeff Bezos' advice to back things that change people's lives. He was an early investor in Google and in video-doorbell maker Ring, which Amazon bought in 2018 for a reported $1 billion.
March 22, 2019
9Atlanta-area Papa Johns restaurants he operates
Papa John's Board Member and Franchisee
In March 2019 Shaq joined Papa John's board of directors, invested in nine Atlanta-area restaurants and became a face of the brand, which later added the Shaq-a-Roni pizza. He left the board after five years in 2024 but continued as brand ambassador and as operator of those nine restaurants.
Oct. 2018
Big Chicken Hatches in Vegas
Shaq opened the first Big Chicken in Las Vegas in October 2018, serving the comfort food he grew up on: crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders and Cheez-It-crusted mac n' cheese. He founded it with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group, and the chain began franchising in 2021. It has since opened in arenas and on Carnival cruise ships.
2016
120M+pairs sold by 2016 (Shaq's figure)
Affordable Kicks for Millions
Shaq says he walked away from a $40 million Reebok deal after a woman confronted him about pricey sneakers. He built his own Shaq brand of kids' shoes priced around $20 at Walmart, and has also partnered with Payless. He said in 2016 that the line had sold more than 120 million pairs, and he later put the total above 400 million.
2016
155Five Guys locations once owned
Franchise Kingpin
Shaq's franchise holdings have included 155 Five Guys restaurants (about 10% of the chain, since sold), 17 Auntie Anne's and Krispy Kreme shops, including the Atlanta store on Ponce de Leon Avenue he bought in late 2016. He has also reportedly owned 40 fitness clubs and 150 car washes.
Dec. 17, 2015
Teaming Up With Authentic Brands
In December 2015 Authentic Brands Group took over management of the Shaq name in merchandise and endorsements, and Shaq kept a significant stake. He has since described himself as ABG's second-largest shareholder, and the AP reports he played a key role in ABG's 2021 acquisition of Reebok.
2013
NBA Team Owner
In 2013 Shaq bought a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings. He sold it in January 2022 because NBA rules required it for a new business venture, writing, “I hope to be back someday.”
Spokes-giant
Endorsements
Reebok, Pepsi, Gold Bond, The General, Carnival and many more. If it needs a giant smile, they call him.
Jan. 2018
Carnival's Chief Fun Officer
In January 2018 Carnival Cruise Line named Shaq its “Chief Fun Officer” to front its “Choose Fun” campaign. The title was revealed on Inside the NBA. “In today's world, it's more important than ever to choose fun,” he said.
1993
The Endorsement MVP
Shaq has endorsed a long list of brands, starting with Pepsi and Reebok in his rookie years and continuing with Gold Bond, Icy Hot, Buick, Nestlé Crunch, The General and Papa John's. He reportedly turned down Wheaties because he preferred Frosted Flakes.
1992
Reebok's Biggest Bet
Before his rookie season, Shaq signed with Reebok in 1992, which was the company's largest endorsement deal at the time. He launched his first signature shoe, the Shaq Attaq.
Lights, camera, genie
Film
Blue Chips, Kazaam and Steel. Hollywood was never the same, for better and for worse.
2013
Scene-Stealer and Voice Actor
Shaq has become a regular in cameo and voice roles. He played Officer Fluzoo in Grown Ups 2 (2013) and Doug in Blended (2014), voiced himself in The Lego Movie (2014), played Big Fella in Uncle Drew (2018) and voiced Karma in Show Dogs (2018).
1997
Suiting Up as DC's Steel
Shaq played a superhero in 1997's Steel, starring as DC Comics' armored hero John Henry Irons and again serving as an executive producer.
1996
Kazaam! Shaq the Genie
In 1996 Shaq played the title genie in Kazaam and also served as an executive producer. He contributed three tracks to the film's soundtrack as well.
1994
Big-Screen Debut: Blue Chips
Shaq made his feature-film debut in 1994's Blue Chips, playing college recruit Neon Boudeaux opposite Nick Nolte's coach.
Press start
Video Games
The cult-classic Shaq Fu, a sequel nobody expected, and a Fortnite skin.
Oct. 2024
Shaq Drops Into Fortnite
In October 2024 Shaq joined Fortnite's Icon Series with a DJ Diesel outfit and a Super Shaq skin.
June 5, 2018
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn
The sequel came more than 20 years later. Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, a tongue-in-cheek side-scrolling brawler from Saber Interactive, launched June 5, 2018 on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Oct. 28, 1994
Shaq Fu: A Cult Classic Is Born
Shaq Fu came out on Oct. 28, 1994 for the Sega Genesis and Super NES. Developed by Delphine Software and published by Electronic Arts, the 2D fighting game drew mixed reviews and became one of gaming's most talked-about cult titles.
To protect and serve (and dunk)
The Badge
Reserve officer, sheriff’s deputy, chief of community relations and, as of 2026, honorary FBI special agent.
Sept. 17, 2026
Honorary FBI Special Agent
At the graduation of FBI National Academy Session 299 in Quantico, Va., FBI Director Kash Patel named Shaq an honorary FBI Special Agent and called him “one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country.” Shaq was recognized alongside 265 law enforcement officials.
Dec. 25, 2025
14,000+children fed (per Sheriff Scandrett)
Chief of Community Relations
Henry County, Ga. Sheriff Reginald Scandrett named Shaq director of community relations in 2021, then promoted him to Chief of Community Relations on Christmas Day 2025, live on ESPN's NBA Tip-Off. The sheriff credited the work with about 370 events, 42,000 people reached and more than 14,000 children fed.
Dec. 2016
Tallest Deputy in Clayton County
In December 2016 Clayton County, Ga. Sheriff Victor Hill swore Shaq in as a sheriff's deputy and called him the tallest deputy in the department's history.
Jan. 20, 2015
Reserve Officer in Doral
In January 2015 Doral, Fla. Police Chief Donald De Lucca swore Shaq in as an unpaid reserve officer. His focus was community outreach, with the chief describing him as a role model for kids.
Dec. 2005
Badge-Carrying Big Man
Shaq's interest in law enforcement goes back to his Lakers years, when he completed the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police. In December 2005 he was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve officer, a volunteer post paying $1 a year. He has also served as a reserve officer in Golden Beach, Fla., and Tempe, Ariz., and was named an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal.
Required reading
Books & Comics
Memoirs, children’s books, a cookbook and a pirate comic.
June 2026
A Comic-Book Pirate Saga with Archie
Shaq teamed up with Archie Comics on Vengeance Unchained: The Legend of Black Caesar, a pirate epic about an African king who “loses everything, and takes his freedom back on his own terms.” It is written by Eisner nominee Stephanie Williams and developed with his Jersey Legends Productions/Authentic Studios. Shaq promoted it at New York Comic Con on Oct. 8, 2026, ahead of its launch.
2011
Shaq, the Author
Shaq's books run from Shaq Attaq! (1994) and Shaq Talks Back (2002) to his 2011 memoir Shaq Uncut: My Story. He also wrote the Little Shaq children's series (2015–16) and the 2022 cookbook Shaq's Family Style.
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