Shaquille O’Neal has never hidden his desire to own an NBA team, and after a brief hiatus from ownership ventures, the legendary center is making it clear that he’s ready to take another shot at it.
With a resume that includes four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, and a Hall of Fame career, Shaq now hopes to translate his on-court success into a front-office presence.
According to a recent interview on the Dan Patrick Show, O’Neal has two teams in mind for his next ownership opportunity: the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic.
Both franchises are deeply intertwined with his career, with the Heat being the team where he claimed the 2006 NBA title and the Magic being the organization that drafted him in 1992.
“In a perfect world, I would love to be part of the Orlando Magic or the Miami Heat, in a perfect world,” O’Neal stated.
“Just as a limited partner. I would love to have that conversation.” He clarified that he does not intend to be the sole owner, but rather a minority stakeholder, which would allow him to enjoy a personal connection to the team without managing day-to-day operations.
Lessons learned from Sacramento and beyond
O’Neal has previously experienced NBA ownership, having purchased a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings in 2013.
At the time, he expressed enthusiasm for being part of a franchise, but in 2021, financial circumstances and other business priorities forced him to sell his shares. “It was very tough. Actually, heartbreaking,” O’Neal reflected in an interview with Complex.
During this period, Shaq also launched WynnBET, a sports gambling company he viewed as a significant business venture.
While WynnBET expanded to six states and held access to 16, the company eventually scaled back its operations, prompting O’Neal to re-evaluate his future business ambitions.
His exit from Sacramento freed him to pursue NBA ownership once again, this time focusing on teams with personal significance.
The prospect of joining the ownership ranks of the Miami Heat or Orlando Magic is more than a financial opportunity, it’s a chance for Shaq to remain connected to the game that defined his life.
As a limited partner, he can engage with the team’s culture and success while avoiding the pressures of running the franchise day-to-day.
With his Hall of Fame career and business experience, O’Neal is uniquely positioned to bring both credibility and star power to whichever franchise he partners with.
Whether it’s the city where he started as a prodigy or the team where he reached the pinnacle of his career, Shaq‘s next move could see him transition from basketball legend to influential NBA owner, fulfilling a long-held dream.
If negotiations go as O’Neal hopes, fans may one day see the Diesel not just cheering courtside, but also influencing decisions in the front office for a team he helped shape historically.
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