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via Imago

via Imago

One of the more commonly known facts about athletes is their insane wealth. Whether you consider basketball, football, baseball, or soccer, stars are constantly among the highest earners. With their skill and talent, these athletes have continually amazed and inspired us all. As a result, their enormous paychecks reflect their value to their sports and fanbases. However, according to Shaquille O’Neal, all of it boils down to luck.

With Kylian Mbappe’s ridiculous billion-dollar offer making the rounds, several NBA athletes have chimed in on the spectacle. Speaking on his insane wealth, and the ludicrous offer in particular, O’Neal explained his thought process on the matter.

The billion-dollar offer that has the sports world’s attention

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We have reached a point where huge contracts for star players are nothing out of the ordinary. A few years ago, when Patrick Mahomes signed an insane $500 million contract, it seemed untouchable. But, the increasing gap in pay between sports quickly reared its head. This week, the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown put pen to paper on a historic 5-year, $304,000,000 deal. It’s the biggest NBA contract ever. But, the story of the summer has been an insane offer in soccer.

Kylian Mbappe, the fastest-rising prodigy, received a $774 million offer from Al-Hilal.

via Reuters

The value shocked the entire sporting world with memes aplenty from the biggest stars. Shaquille O’Neal, who earned a total close to $300 million during his playing career offered an interesting perspective, however. To him, his mantra and fate go hand in hand.

 

It costs you nothing to be nice…All of us NBA players, we don’t realize it but it’s luck. The guy that just got offered 776 million, that’s part of the luck…I never take anything for granted, I never disrespect people, I try to be friendly…People like and respect me, so yeah”.

For a man as physically dominating as Shaq, the statement surely rings true. However, he hasn’t relied on just his basketball career.

Shaquille O’Neal: A man of many talents

Even though his on-court career was stellar, O’Neal hasn’t limited himself to just basketball.

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Read More: Towering Over $400,000,000-Worth Shaquille O?Neal?s Career Earnings, Kylian Mbappe?s Saudi Arabian News Has NBA Giant Gasping

Since retirement, the 7-footer has become a household name. That wasn’t an accident. Whether entertainment, media, comedy, or music, the former Los Angeles Lakers big man has left no stone unturned.

And, he’s continued to practice what he preaches. As a philanthropist, he’s right up there with the best of the team. Whether you look at a first-of-its-kind affordable sneaker line, or the many regular people he has helped, Shaq’s influence is hard to miss.

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For a legendary big man, he genuinely has lived life to the fullest. While his on-court talent might have been luck based, the man himself is all about hard work.

Watch This Story: NBA’s 5th-Richest Contract Holder Giannis Antetokounmpo Eyes $700,000,000 By Hilariously Enticing Saudis Away From Kylian Mbappe