January 8, 2022

Shaq Net Worth

Shaq Estimated Net Worth: $377 Million - $413 Million

Former professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal made waves in his 19-year career in the NBA. As expected, a good portion of his net worth comes from his NBA earnings.

But Shaq has branched out into a variety of other business ventures, including franchise deals and music production. Today, his net worth has ballooned to an estimated $377 million to $413 million.

Find out how Shaq earned all his money below.

Who is Shaquille O'Neal?

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born on March 6, 1972. The 7-foot-1-inch center began his basketball career in 1992 and retired in 2011. During this time, he became a four-time NBA champion.

Shaq left Louisiana State University after three years to play in the NBA, but later returned to complete his bachelor's degree. He went on to earn his MBA at the University of Phoenix in 2005, and an educational doctorate degree at Barry University in 2012.

Throughout the years, Shaq has pursued many different avenues of success. These include a rap career, film and TV appearances, and a multitude of other investments.

How Does Shaq Make Money?

The NBA pays athletes well, but there's more to Shaquille O'Neal's story. Here's how Shaq built his $400 million empire.

NBA Career

Shaq is highly regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. He was also one of the biggest and most powerful players at 7 foot 1 inch and 325 pounds.

Shaq played on six different teams during his career: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. His all-time career earnings in the NBA total a whopping $292,198,327, equivalent to $412,027,502 in today's dollars.^[1]

Of course, it wouldn't be realistic to say he saved this entire amount of money. Using a 50/30/20 budget, a conservative estimate says he saved around $82.4 million of his NBA money.

You can't attain a nine-figure net worth just by saving alone. Up next, check out the many ways Shaq has invested his money.

Fun Fact: Shaq's highest NBA salary was $27,696,430 in 2004-2005 with the Miami Heat.

Franchises and Other Investments

Shaq is a big fan of investing in businesses. The former NBA player owns a number of franchises, including 17 Auntie Anne's locations, 155 Five Guys Burgers, and a Krispy Kreme. He has reportedly invested around $6.5 million into Auntie Anne's, $111 million into Five Guys, and $2.75 million into Krispy Kreme.^[2]

He also signed a deal with Papa John's in 2019. The deal payed Shaq $4.125 million and 87,136 shares of stock vested between 2020 and 2022 for his endorsement. These shares are currently worth about $12 million. Shaq also invested in nine Papa John's locations valued at $2.8 million.^[3]

In 2013, Shaq bought a 2% to 4% stake in the Sacramento Kings. But he sold his stake in 2021 in order to be a brand ambassador for online gambling platform WynnBET. The Kings are valued at $1.8 billion. Shaq made an estimated $36 million to $72 million from the sale.

How much do his investments and endorsements contribute to his net worth? While his exact earnings are unknown, he's most likely making a pretty penny. Shaq has made more each year since retiring than he ever did in the NBA.^[4]

Entertainment

Shaq's celebrity status paved the way for numerous opportunities in the entertainment industry.

He released four studio rap albums between 1993 and 1998. His debut album, "Shaq Diesel," was certified platinum. Shaq's rap career was short-lived. But he still produces electronic music and DJs under the moniker DIESEL.

Starting in the 1990s, Shaq also explored film and television. He starred in the 1996 film "Kazaam" and appeared in dozens of others. He has also guest starred in TV shows and animated series like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Static Shock."

Endorsements

Celebrities are super popular in advertisements, and they often get paid big bucks. Shaq is no stranger to endorsement game. He has been featured promoting brands in countless ads, including Oreo, Burger King, and Pepsi.^[5]

Besides starring in TV commercials, he has also taken a more hands-on approach to collaborate with brands. In 1992 and 1995, for instance, he worked with Reebok to design two pairs of sneakers. He also worked with Arizona Beverages to release his own soda, called Soda Shaq.

The list goes on. This is just scratching the surface of all the endorsement deals Shaq has obtained.

Real Estate/Other Property

Shaq owned a 31,000-square-foot Florida estate, which he sold in early 2021 for $16.5 million. While this is a huge amount, it's about 40% less than its original asking price of $28 million.^[6] He also sold his home in Bell Canyon, California, for $1.85 million in the same year.

Among Shaq's other properties are an Atlanta estate bought for $1.15 million and a Las Vegas estate bought for $2 million.

Bottom Line

Shaquille O'Neal has proved himself to be a capable player on the court and in business. The former NBA player has leveraged his salary to create even more financial opportunities for himself.

As he continues to make calculated investments, Shaq is sure to build wealth and increase his net worth even more.

References

^ HoopsHype. Shaquille O'Neal NBA Salary. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.
^ Funding Fuel. Shaq's $127 Million Franchise Empire. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.
^ Restaurant Business. A Look at Papa John's $8M Deal With Shaq. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.
^ Insider. Shaquille O'Neal makes more money now off of endorsements and advertising than he did during his Hall of Fame NBA career. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.
^ USA Today. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is the king of endorsements. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.
^ Mansion Global. After Nearly Three Years on the Market, Shaquille O'Neal Finds Buyer For Florida Megamansion. Accessed 04 Nov 2021.

Donna Tang is a content associate at CreditDonkey, a personal finance comparison and reviews website. Write to Donna Tang at donna.tang@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.