There have been many colorful characters that have played in the NBA. Shaquille O’Neal would be right up there on the list. The big center that was a terror on the court and a teddy bear off of it has made a ton of money since entering the league in 1992. While he is now retired and is part of TNT’s basketball coverage, he continues to rack up the dough. Here is a look at how Shaq got his current net worth.
Shaq Net Worth as of 2019: $350 million
1992-1995
(Photo by Harry How/Allsport/Getty Images)
The Big Cactus is taken first overall by the Orlando Magic and makes a tidy $3 million for his rookie season. His salary would increase to $5.7 million by his fourth season in Orlando but with the team now going anywhere, Shaq decides that he needs to get out of town.
1996
(Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
O’Neal signs a seven-year, $121 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers which unites him with Kobe Bryant in a 1990s version of Showtime. It is a financial windfall for O’Neal who also wins an Olympic gold medal. O’Neal also stars in the movie “Kazaam” which was a box office flop while making just $19 million at theatres.
2000-2002
Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
O’Neal and Bryant would team up for three straight NBA titles while O’Neal watches his salary go up from the $10 million he made in 1996 to $21 million by the time the two had won their third straight title.
2004-2007
(Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Reebok)
After making $45 million during his final two seasons with the Lakers, Shaq decides to take his talents across the country to the Miami Heat with a five-year, $100 million contract. He would win an NBA title in his first season with Miami for his fourth and final ring.
2007-2017
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
O’Neal plays his final four seasons in three different locations with stops with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. He makes $61 million while with Phoenix and Cleveland but just $1.3 million for his last year with the Celtics which allows him to make just over $292 million for his playing career.
Since his retirement, O’Neal has appeared in commercials all over the sports spectrum along with his television responsibilities. Since 2012, Shaq is most frequently seen on TNT, where he works as an analyst on Inside the NBA. There is no way that Shaq will be leaving the sports scene anytime soon.
2018
NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal’s partnership with Ring promises to enhance home security across the country or ‘Shaquify’ neighborhoods across the country.
2019
Shaquille O’Neal is again in the news for he has paid the funeral of Jazmine Barnes, a 7-year-old girl killed in a drive-by shooting in Texas.
