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Business just keeps on booming for Shaquille O’Neal. One of the NBA legend’s numerous ventures is being the co-owner of Big Chicken. In April 2022, it was announced that the restaurant franchise was set to bring 50 new locations to Texas in cities including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, as previously reported by AfroTech.
The NBA has experienced many shifts affecting how the game is played. One of those shifts is the visible absence of “big men.” Now more in tune with faster and more agile playing, the league was once filled with what some considered “true centers” regarding their overall size. And NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was a part of that coveted group. O’Neal entered the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick to the Orlando Magic in 1992, according to the NBA website. Coming from a successful collegiate career at LSU, the 7’1″ center quickly made a presence for himself as a star player for the Magic. “Shaq put the Orlando Magic on the map – not just in the state of Florida or in the United States; he was this global phenomenon,’’ said Fox Sports Florida announcer and former Orlando Magic employee David Steele. “When we traveled, it was like a traveling rock show. Everybody wanted to see Shaq.’’ Throughout his basketball career, he played on six teams. However, O’Neal’s most notable on-court contributions...
One cultural staple in Black culture is the pride the community takes in their names. There is power and authority in a name, from the generational classics to the unique identifiers that cause one to shine bright in any environment. The late rap legend DMX confirms this truth in his 1999 classic, “What They Really Want.” The power of a name becomes more robust with a rise in influence and celebrity. As these things increase, so does the ability to monetize one’s likeness. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal knows this truth firsthand. In 2015, Authentic Brands Group (ABG) acquired the rights to manage the former Los Angeles Laker’s name in merchandise and endorsements.
Jay-Z once said, “Nobody wins when the family feuds.” And there may be some dissension in the O’Neal camp. Based on a Notice of Opposition from Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the company that represents Shaquille O’Neal’s likeness, wants to put an end to the pending trademark application filed by his son, Shaqir O’Neal. But is this really beef between father and son? Of course not. Based on information from attorney Josh Gerben, the root of the issues appears to be between the two teams that represent the separate O’Neal men. Well, this is awkward. The company that owns Shaq’s trademarks (Authentic Brands Group) has opposed his son’s trademark filing for “SHAQIR O’NEAL.” How on earth did this happen? #Shaq #Trademarks A thread 🧵 [1/8] pic.twitter.com/eAZyf5SRiU — Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) July 19, 2022
They say comparison is the thief of joy, and for NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, that sentiment became true when he checked his net worth. AfroTech has previously reported that O’Neal has an estimated net worth of $400 million. Although this number is nothing to downplay, the former Los Angeles Lakers center was shocked that he wasn’t the wealthiest NBA player to ever do it.