The Shaq of All Trades: A Look At Shaquille O’Neal’s Biggest Business Wins
Shaquille O’Neal wasted no time building an empire after retiring from basketball. His off-court business ventures have since made him extremely wealthy.
By D.M.March 22 2025, Published 7:04 p.m. ET
The Breakdown: Shaquille O’Neal rose to fame as a dominant NBA force, winning four championships and earning MVP honors before retiring. Off the court, he’s built a booming business empire with ventures like Big Chicken, Papa John’s, and Krispy Kreme.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has made a name for himself on and off the court thanks to a slate of successful business ventures. Shaq has been a huge celebrity since his time in the league, which began when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992. In his rookie season, he averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks, earning Rookie of the Year honors and becoming the first rookie voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan.
Shaq appears on 'The Ellen Degeneres Show'.
He took his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 — and the dynasty era began. Alongside a young Kobe Bryant, O’Neal helped deliver three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002. He was named NBA Finals MVP all three times, and in 2000, he won the league’s Most Valuable Player award. After a high-profile split with the Lakers, O’Neal joined the Miami Heat in 2004.
By 2006, he had added another championship ring to his collection, teaming up with a young Dwyane Wade to bring Miami its first NBA title. He later played for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics before retiring in 2011.
After basketball, O’Neal didn’t slow down. He pursued several business ventures that resulted in a hefty net worth. Here’s a look at his empire.
Here's a breakdown of Shaquille O'Neal's most lucrative business ventures.
Shaq has built an extremely successful business empire. In 2018, Shaq co-founded Big Chicken, a fast-casual joint specializing in Louisiana-style fried chicken sandwiches that pack a punch. Since then, Big Chicken has been spreading its wings, boasting 18 locations across the U.S. Shaq didn't stop there. In 2019, he joined Papa John's board of directors and scooped up nine franchises in the Atlanta area. He even inspired the "Shaq-a-Roni" pizza.
Shaquille O'Neal apears on 'The Late Late Show'.
In September 2024, Shaq teamed up with The Hershey Company to drop Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies. These oversized candies come in flavors like pineapple and mixed berry, with some even shaped like Shaq's head. According to Billboard, Shaq has also partnered with BeatBox Beverages, a fast-growing, ready-to-drink brand that caught Mark Cuban's eye on Shark Tank back in 2014. The company is now valued at over $200 million.
Additionally, he owns a Krispy Kreme spot in Atlanta and serves as the brand's global spokesperson. And if that isn’t enough. Shaq is also the owner of 17 Auntie Anne's franchises, strategically placed in malls and airports.
Shaq’s net worth is unsurprisingly huge.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Shaq's net worth is estimated to be around $500 million. Shaq’s path to extreme wealth began with his selection as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 1992. However, his rookie contract was just the tip of the iceberg. In 1996, he inked a seven-year, $120 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, a contract that was groundbreaking at the time. Throughout his 19-year NBA career, O'Neal amassed approximately $286 million in salary alone, per Bola VIP.
He has also been the face of brands like Reebok, Pepsi, Icy Hot, and Buick. These deals have been lucrative. Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Shaq’s off-court ventures contribute significantly to his annual earnings, which hover around $60 million even in retirement.
