NBA fans are well aware of Shaquille O’Neal’s superhero obsession. From his Superman shield tattoo to his admiration for The Hulk, his love for heroic figures has always been clear. But few would have guessed that Shaq harbored a secret desire to become a supervillain-let alone what he was willing to sacrifice to make it happen.
Superheroes shaped Shaq’s childhood, serving as an escape from his troubled youth. “Growing up as a medium juvenile delinquent always on punishment, [I] at least had an opportunity to watch TV and just see supherheroes entrenched inside stories they were telling,” O’Neal recalled in an interview on The Jordan Harbinger Show.
His passion followed him into adulthood. Shaq even fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring in his own superhero movie, Steel (1997). Although the film wasn’t a blockbuster hit, it gave the former NBA star a taste of heroism. Yet, what he attempted just days ago goes far beyond a simple film role.
Shaq and the Infinity Gauntlet
On the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the Lakers legend welcomed his longtime friend, jeweler Adam Mizroeff, as a guest. Mizroeff, a renowned artist, recently recreated the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Gauntlet using real gemstones-valued at a staggering $25 million.
During their chat, O’Neal showed more than a passing interest in the piece. Instead, he made a jaw-dropping proposal, testing whether Mizroeff would take the bait. “So a billionaire art collector is watching this show, and he’s offering you $300 million… Do you let it go? $300 million, that’s my final offer,” Shaq declared, completely serious.
An offer of that magnitude is extraordinary, especially considering that O’Neal’s net worth is estimated at around $500 million. In other words, the Hall of Famer was willing to sacrifice half of his fortune to own the Infinity Gauntlet. The real question remains-what would he have done with such an artifact?
The Infinity Gauntlet in Real Life
The gauntlet, crafted by East Coast Gems in association with Marvel Studios, bears flawless recreations of the six stones that give Thanos’s weapon its legendary strength. It features:
- An emerald for the Time Stone
- A sapphire for the Space Stone
- A ruby for the Reality Stone
- An amethyst for the Power Stone
- A garnet for the Soul Stone
- A diamond for the Mind Stone
Whether Shaq was serious about his offer or simply having fun, his proposal for the real-life replica was shocking. One can’t help but wonder what Big Aristotle would have given up for the actual fictional version-and what he might have done with it.
Thankfully, the world will never have to find out.
Read the full article here
