With a history steeped in basketball, it's no surprise that retired NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is eyeing the next step in his illustrious career. According to recent reports, O'Neal is considering establishing an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, a city currently without representation in the league.
O'Neal's Ownership Ambitions
Initially, O'Neal expressed a desire for sole ownership of the potential team. "I would like to have my group," said O'Neal. "I know Vegas hasn't been awarded an NBA team yet, but if they ever get to a point where they are awarded a team, I would like to be a part of that. I don't want to partner up with nobody. I want it all for myself."
However, he later demonstrated a willingness to collaborate with other NBA stars, such as LeBron James. "If there's ever an NBA team that's going to come here, I would like to be involved, with LeBron, without LeBron, I just want to be involved," O'Neal stated. This isn't surprising given their shared history; O'Neal and James were teammates at the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season.
LeBron James: Potential Collaborator?
LeBron James, who is currently an active player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has shown support for bringing an NBA team to Las Vegas. Beyond his playing career, James has ventured into sports ownership by acquiring a two percent stake in the Liverpool Football Club. Could this partnership be on the horizon?
O'Neal's Previous Ownership Experience
O'Neal is no stranger to the business side of sports. He was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022. As an owner, he wants to be more than just a figurehead. "I want to be involved. There are two types of owners. There's the owner that just has the bragging rights, and I'm the partial owner, and there's guys that like to make decisions. I, at some point, would like to be in on the decision-making process," O'Neal declared.
Despite his interest in sports ownership, O'Neal has ruled out certain leagues. "Not baseball. Football, maybe, basketball definitely, but not baseball," he said. His current role as a broadcaster on TNT's Inside the NBA keeps him close to the game he loves.
The Trend of Players Turning Owners
The transition from player to owner is not a new trend in the NBA. Michael Jordan, for instance, was the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has also expressed interest in owning a team in the future. "Absolutely. Understanding the business and how it's run," said Curry. "It fascinates you to understand where the future's headed."
However, it's worth noting that no player currently holds majority ownership or governorship of an NBA franchise. Whether O'Neal's ambitions will change this remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the prospect of Shaq bringing his larger-than-life personality to the world of NBA ownership is an exciting possibility for fans everywhere.