Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, famously known as Shaquille O’Neal, is a former American basketball player, TV host, and entrepreneur. He’s a big-time individual who has a net worth of $400 million.
He earned about $292 million in his NBA salary alone during his basketball days. His endorsements gave him an income of over $200 million. Even though he’s retired, he was earning around $60 million per year from other endeavors.
Learn from Shaquille’s story. What are his ways of earning this much? You’ll see.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal is his full name. He was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. His parents are Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney.
Shaquille had a bad past about his father. His father was a drug addict and got prisoned for drug possession. Shaquille was still a baby at that time.
His parents were not married. When he was still a baby, his father left them. Just like other kids who grew up without a father, O’Neal was estranged from his father for years.
His mother married Phillip Harrison when O’Neal was at the age of 2. This man was a sergeant in the U.S. Army.
Later on, Shaquille became a part of the Boys and Girls Club of America while he grew. This is the organization he gives his credits for helping him keep himself off the streets.
Sooner, the family moved from Newark to Germany and Texas. Shaquille started to gain attention for his amazing basketball talent in high school. He even led the San Antonio’s Robert G. Cole High School team to the state championship.
He attended Louisiana State University and became a two-time SEC player of the year and a two-time All-American.
NBA Superstar
O’Neal became the first overall pick for the Orlando Magic in 1991. After a year, he was named the Rookie of the Year and voted an All-Star-starter. It was not even accomplished by Michael Jordan.
Shaq helped Orlando Magic to make their way to their first playoff series. Although they made it to the finals, they lost to the Houston Rockets. O’Neal and the Magic won against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls during the playoffs that year
Shaq became a part of the men’s Olympic basketball team in Atlanta Wayback 1996. They won the gold medal. During the Olympics, O’Neal announced his plans to join the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers offered O’Neal a seven-year $121 million deal.
O’Neal was paired with teenage Kobe Bryant. This tandem was one-of-a-kind. However, although their games were promising, they failed their way to a championship. Shaq had an injury and he had struggles with the personnel changes.
A change in leadership turned things around. Former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson arrived and set the Lakers on a new path. This is for them to be a dominant force for the years to come. Shaquille was challenged by coach Jackson and led him to a step-up defense game.
This is the major turnaround. That year, Shaquille and the Lakers won the NBA championship. They were eager to win the next championship.
In 20014, O’Neal got traded to the Miami Heat. A year after, he signed a 5-year contract with Miami Heat for $100 million. Although he could still demand more money, he stated that it’s another championship he’s after.
Shaquille and the Miami Heat got their chance every year. They beat Dallas Mavericks and gained the team’s first-ever title while it was O’Neal’s fourth time.
Early 2008, O’Neal started long-term contracts with those teams that were put to an end. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns. It was also his first time as a rookie to fail to make it to the playoffs.
He was traded to free up the budget by the end of his first season with them. He was also a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers (alongside Lebron James) and with the Boston Celtics during his final season.
Salary
Here’s Shaquille O’Neal’s Salary by year and team.
- 1992-93 Orlando Magic $3,000,000
- 1993-94 Orlando Magic $3,900,000
- 1994-95 Orlando Magic $4,800,000
- 1995-96 Orlando Magic $5,700,000
- 1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers $10,714,000
- 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers $12,857,143
- 1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers $15,000,000
- 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers $17,142,858
- 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers $19,285,715
- 2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers $21,428,572
- 2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers $23,571,429
- 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers $24,749,999
- 2004-05 Miami Heat $27,696,430
- 2005-06 Miami Heat $20,000,000
- 2006-07 Miami Heat $20,000,000
- 2007-08 Phoenix Suns $20,000,000
- 2008-09 Phoenix Suns $21,000,000
- 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,000,000
- 2010-11 Boston Celtics $1,352,181
His total career NBA earnings is $292,198,327.
Other Media and Business Ventures
Shaq was becoming a star during the early nineties. He started exploring careers in the rap and film industries. Shaq appeared in the films like “Blue Chips” and “Kazama”. He was also featured in guest roles, films, and television shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Parkers”.
He had his first rap album called “Shaq Diesel” which was released in 1993. His DJ name was Diesel. He also has been featured in several video games.
O’Neal starred in many reality series and hosts his own podcasts. This man is engaged in a lot of activities. He was a frequent commentator on NBA games and had a stint in professional wrestling.
Since the 1990s, the star has been active in the stock market and real estate too. He really showed a great interest in the business world. On March 22, 2019, he was announced to join the Board of Directors of Papa Johns.
Shaq will earn big time with the job. He will earn $8.25 million in salary and stock over three years. This business-minded star is investing $840,000 of his own money. He wants to buy 30% of a 9-unit franchise of Papa Johns in Atlanta.
Endorsements
Many athletes were offered endorsements but a few only have embraced it fully like Shaquille O’Neal. He was a sought-after spokesperson. High-profile endorsements he had include Pepsi and Reeboks.
Shaquille O’Neal Total Net Worth
Shaquille’s primary residence was a mansion in Orlando with 12 bedrooms. The home is 35,000 square-foot and it features a 6,000 square-foot indoor basketball court. His home also has a 17 car garage and 10-foot privacy wall.
He purchased the land for his home Wayback 1993 that is worth $4 million. Eventually, he custom-built his dream mansion.
In May 2018, he listed the home For Sale for the first time at the rate of $28 million. He lowered it down to $22 million in January 2019. In September 2020, Shaq lowered it again to $19.5 million. Finally, he sold it for $16.5 million in January 2021.
Shaq owns a 15-acre in suburban Atlanta. He bought it in 2017 for $1.5 million. Another home was bought for $1.8 million within a gated community in an LA suburb called Bell Canyon. Then, he listed this home For Sale at the end of 2019 at the rate of $2.5 million.
With all his successes both in basketball, show business, and other entrepreneurial endeavors, Shaquille O’Neal managed to save a stunning $400 million net worth.