$500 million of net worth and still afraid of certain financial moves? That’s Shaquille O’Neal! The former NBA player has invested in Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme, Big Chicken, and several other businesses that turned out to be profitable. However, he has also seen failures. Back in 2019, he revealed that an unnamed paper company allegedly promised him fraudulent deals. “A guy who owned this paper company said he had all these deals in all the schools and with the government. … Turned out to be a scam.”

Once bitten, twice shy! Shaquille O’Neal is now very careful with his deals and investments. In a new revelation, the former Lakers player shared that one investment that he is scared of. What could it be?

He released a new episode on his YouTube channel ‘Shaq’ where he talked about investing. One team member, during the discussion, stated he is ‘scared’ of investing in stocks. “I’m, I’m kinda like that too… Unless it’s somebody I know; it’s somebody I trust…” Shaq said, which could be shocking as it is coming from someone as financially savvy as the former Lakers star. He has over $100 million invested. But it’s a good reminder that even the most successful investors prefer to stick to what they are comfortable with.

Just because he is uncomfortable doesn’t mean he didn’t dabble with it. Back in 2016, he revealed that he had purchased stocks in Lyft and Uber.

But for Shaq, the comfort zone is franchising, and has built an empire. The 4x NBA champ’s business strategy lies around getting involved in businesses he believes in, trusts, and knows will make a difference. Take Five Guys, for example; this was Shaq’s first serious dive into the world of franchises. He owned a whopping 155 restaurants—10% of the entire company. Eventually, he sold his stake, but it was a major stepping stone for him.

Then there was Auntie Anne’s, where the ex-NBA star had 17 pretzel shops, but he sold them in 2022. “I sold my Auntie Anne’s because Black people don’t like pretzels that much. So I had to switch it up.”

And let’s not forget Papa John’s either, where Shaquille O’Neal isn’t just an investor but also a board member, a brand ambassador, and the face of the pizza chain’s commercials. He owns nine locations in Atlanta, hence, his business ideas aren’t just about making money—it’s about influence and involvement. Shaq’s investments also go beyond food; he owns 24-hour fitness centers and car washes, but the crazy part is, we haven’t even reached close to the entire empire of Big Diesel yet!

The diverse business ventures of Shaquille O’Neal

The former LA Lakers star’s business portfolio is just as impressive as his basketball career. He’s not just a franchise owner, his investments stretch across a wide range of industries—from beauty to tech, and even nightlife. It all comes down to one thing—he only backs what he believes in. You’ll find Shaq’s name behind major brands like Lyft, JC Penney, Icy Hot, and even Forever 21. He’s also got nightclubs, a strip mall, and a movie theater in Las Vegas.

But what really stands out is Big Chicken. His very own fast-food chain. The 4x NBA champ didn’t just get his name on this venture but showed personal involvement in every detail.

Big Chicken’s oversized sandwiches reflect Shaq’s personality—bold, unapologetic, and always larger than life. Apart from this, what’s made Shaquille O’Neal successful is his authenticity. He is not just chasing profit, but investments that improve lives. “I read a quote one day that said: The greatest leaders are the ones smart enough to have people that are smarter than them. So I just surrounded myself with smart people.”

“When I invest, I never want to hear anything monetary. Is it going to change someone’s life, forever? And I’ve made those investments, and I’ve been doing very, very well,” he stated earlier this year.

So, even though Big Diesel is scared of certain aspects of investment, he still has established himself as a successful investor, don’t you think?

Stay tuned for more such updates; join our exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.