Don’t Let The Jovial Smile Fool You, Shaquille O’Neal Is a Shrewd Businessman. Inside His Empire

Many professional athletes struggle financially once they retire. This hasn’t been a problem for former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. He has built an impressive business empire since retiring in 2011. Having earned nearly $300 million in NBA salary during his 19-year basketball career, according to Shaq in a 2018 interview with reporter Bernard Goldberg for “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” on HBO, he was making more each year than his $30 million NBA salary, as per Business Insider. SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 24: Shaquille O’Neal attends the 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images) The Franchise King Shaq has made significant investments in the food industry. At one point, he owned 155 Five Guys restaurants, which accounted for 10% of the company’s franchises, Money reported. Although he sold his stake in 2016, he told CNBC, Shaq still holds several food-related investments, including at one time 17 Auntie Anne’s pretzel shops and a Krispy Kreme franchise in Atlanta. In 2023 he told Earn Your Leisure he has sold his Auntie Anne’s Pretzels restaurants because he didn’t think people wanted pretzels. He also co-owns a CityPlex12 movie theatre in...