Shaq Accidentally Invested In Google In The ’90s And Says He Has Only One Regret Years Later

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Shaquille O’Neal is primarily recognized for his basketball skills, but these days, he’s gained attention for his business ventures. He currently holds partnerships with major corporations such as 24 Hour Fitness, Papa John’s Pizza, Krispy Kreme and others. In the ’90s, he made a smart business move that appears to have paid off well. O’Neal once invested in a small startup called Google, which has since grown significantly, and he recently shared one thing about that investment that he regrets.

In Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s book titled “A-List Angels: How a Group of Celebrities, Entrepreneurs, and Athletes Disrupted Silicon Valley“, a four-time NBA champion was one of the high-profile figures interviewed. The book delves into how these prominent personalities ventured into tech start-ups. In his conversations with Shaq, Greenburg found out that the retired basketball player “stumbled upon Google by chance”. According to Shaq (as reported by Business Insider), he was at a restaurant playing with some kids, whose father happened to be a significant investor in the company.

In the end, Shaquille O’Neal heeded the man’s wisdom when it came to investing in what would become a tech titan like Google. However, there’s one move the famed ex-LA Laker might have altered, and I can see why:

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Shaq eventually followed the advice given on investment in the company that grew into an internet behemoth, Google. Yet, there’s a decision he would have reconsidered, and it makes sense as to why:

When it was shown to me, I had a feeling it would be successful. So, I exclaimed, “Impressive! I’m going to give it a shot.” My sole disappointment is that I should have purchased more of it.

More on Shaquille O’Neal

I’ve always found it puzzling why Shaquille O’Neal switched to being a DJ after retiring from the NBA. However, his explanation has made things clearer for me now.

To sum up, it’s clear that the three-time NBA Finals MVP should get recognition for his insightful investments. However, there’s a chance he missed out on significant wealth by not acquiring more shares. Regrettably, this is just how things can turn out sometimes. It’s important to remember that even when something is presented persuasively, it’s tough to accurately predict its success.

Shawn (Shaq) has had an intriguing relationship with money, and it’s fair to say that his past financial decisions have been unconventional at times. However, nowadays, he appears to handle his finances more prudently, apart from the infamous Mike Tyson bet incident. Yet, in the past, Shaq has openly acknowledged some financial missteps. For instance, as a young athlete, he once spent over a million dollars in just one day, an extraordinary tale indeed. Additionally, he admitted to spending approximately $70,000 in a single shopping trip at Walmart – a figure that seems hard to believe. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Shaq has made significant strides in financial management and responsibility.

Beyond Google and his other business endeavors, Shaquille O’Neal also holds stocks in Apple and Ring. What fascinates me about the sportscaster’s financial habits is his generosity. Whether it’s covering a restaurant tab for everyone or buying shoes for a child, he doesn’t think twice before spending money. Given his ability to do so, I’d argue that O’Neal is thriving financially, even without those shares he regrets not purchasing in the past.

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2025-01-07 04:37