Shaquille O'Neal has always been more than just a dominant basketball player. The Big Diesel has routinely been among the most marketable, charismatic, and often controversial players in the history of the NBA. He is also quite the entrepreneur and endorser of products. In this specific post, though, we're looking at Shaquille O'Neal's net worth in 2024. Shaquille O'Neal's net worth in 2024 is estimated at around $500 million.
What is Shaquille O'Neal's net worth in 2024?: $500 million (estimate)
Shaquille O'Neal's net worth sits at around $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Shaq began to build up his massive net worth during his playing days in the NBA, where he cashed out throughout his illustrious career.
Shaquille O'Neal's Salary 2024
However, O'Neal and his co-workers have all successfully negotiated new contracts and will stay on the show for many more years. Shaq reportedly makes $10 million a year with TNT. His contract includes a 30-minute appearance on the show every week, and he can terminate it before it ends.
Shaquille O'Neal Early Career Earnings
| Team | Contract | Average Salary |
| Boston Celtics | two years/$2,751,688 | $1,375,844 |
| Miami Heat | five years/$101,000,000 | $20,200,000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | three years/$88,500,000 | $29,500,000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | seven years/$120,000,000 | $17,142,857 |
| Orlando Magic | four years/$17,400,000 | $4,350,000 |
Shaq made an estimated $286 million as an NBA player, per Spotrac. The Orlando Magic chose Shaq with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He was already one of the most dominant bigs in the league.
Shaq's first deal with the Los Angeles Lakers was a groundbreaking contract. Jerry West did everything possible to bring O'Neal to Hollywood, gutting the entire roster to sign Shaquille O'Neal to a seven-year, $120 million deal in the summer of 1996.
This kind of money would be regarded as paltry by today's standards. But back then, such a guarantee was practically unheard of, particularly considering the backloaded nature of the deal. He eventually signed a three-year extension with the Lakers worth over $88 million.
Shaquille O'Neal signed a new deal with the Miami Heat in the summer of 2005, paying him over $100 million during the next five years. This included his rather forgettable 2009-10 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging just 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds during an injury-riddled campaign.
Shaquille O'Neal is currently No. 9 in salary earnings in NBA history, despite retiring over a decade ago while contracts have exploded in recent years.
Shaquille O'Neal Brand Endorsements
Shaq's name recognition and popularity have made him a sought-after spokesperson for many brands. He has endorsed everything from video games to fast food restaurants to car insurance companies.
As an NBA and even post-retirement, Shaq has been a part of lucrative endorsement deals with companies such as Reebok, PepsiCo, Icy Hot, NBA 2K, Taco Bell, Wheaties, and JCPenny.
Shaq is now the president of basketball operations for Reebok. Allen Iverson has taken on a position with Shaq as vice president of basketball operations. It was recently announced that Shaq's first significant NIL deal with an athlete was Angel Reese from LSU Women's basketball.
Shaquille O'Neal's Business and Investments
Shaq has arguably had as great of a career after retirement as he did on the court. This may seem impossible with his basketball success, but Shaq has also been a giant outside the arena. From music to business ownership, Shaq is a household name.
Shaquille O'Neal's Creative Ventures
Shaq signed a record deal in 1993 and released his first studio album, Shaq Diesel. Initially, he had tons of success. Shaq Diesel went platinum, and Shaq Fu: Da Return went gold. It seemed O'Neal did have a budding career in music.
Of course, rap was not O'Neal's day job during that time. His career as a rapper quickly fizzled out, though his time in music was far from over. Ever the performer and entertainer, Shaquille O'Neal has taken to rocking DJ sets all around the country, including a performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Shaq's sets hardly seem lucrative, but it is clear DJing is something he loves as a hobby. It would appear Shaquille O'Neal will continue to explore the music scene so long as he is still willing and able.
Speaking of performing, who can forget Shaq's acting career, including films such as 1996's Kazaam and 1997's Steel? He has numerous other credits to his name and has also done wrestling.
Most NBA fans might not be aware of Shaq's portfolio, but they almost certainly have seen him on TV as a member of TNT's Inside the NBA, which has also meant his appearance in the NBA 2K video game. He also has more ties to the league than merely being a commentator.
Shaquille O'Neal's Business Ventures
Shaq has hardly been shy about his willingness to invest in businesses throughout the years, especially in the food industry.
According to Money.com, Shaquille O'Neal once owned up to 155 Five Guys restaurants, or 10 percent of the company portfolio. Several years ago, it was announced O'Neal would be joining the board of directors at Papa John's, promising he would invest in nine stores in the Atlanta area while also becoming one of the leading brand ambassadors.
Auntie Anne's and Krispy Kreme Donuts are other food companies benefitting from Shaq's investments.
The Big Fella has also invested in gyms and car washes and held a share in the Ring doorbell company before Amazon's $1 billion buyout in 2018.
Shaquille O'Neal has no issue diversifying his profile so long as the company or business fits his brand and vivacity.
Shaq made early investments in Google and Apple, two financial decisions still paying dividends two decades later.
Shaquille O'Neal has also been on record saying he has adopted a Jeff Bezos credo when deciding whether to invest. In a past interview with The Wall Street Journal, O'Neal said: “I heard Jeff Bezos say one time [that] he makes his investments based on if it's going to change people's lives,” and “once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I'm worth.”
While he might have been young and naive when he first entered the NBA, Shaquille O'Neal has since acquired plenty of business acumen.
He purchased a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings in 2013, though he sold that stake in 2022.
Shaquille O'Neal's Charity Work
The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation was created in 2019 to instill hope and bring change in underserved communities. Shaq uses many endorsements and business ventures to help support other charities and events. The largest organizations the NBA star supports are the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Communities in Schools. Shaq has also lent his name and image to charities such as Be the Match, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and Free the Children.
Some former NBA fans tend to rest on their laurels after retirement. Not Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaquille O'Neal's business career is still in its early stages. If his track record is any indication, the only question for the Diesel is: what next?
Nonetheless, were you stunned by Shaquille O'Neal's net worth in 2024?
Follow Us
Subscribe