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“You don’t want to be just a name.” These words by Magic Johnson touched a young Shaquille O’Neal’s heart. The Big Diesel looked up to the legendary NBA superstar during his early hooping days at the Los Angeles Lakers. Interestingly, Shaq has also credited Johnson for turning him into a savvy businessman as a post-NBA career. Thanks to his mentorship, Shaq owns nightclubs, restaurants, movie theatres, and several other businesses.

One of the best reflections of Magic Johnson’s success is in his car collection. His personal fleet, which includes a limited edition set of wheels, earned the envy of Michael Jordan?and Isiah Thomas, among many others. But the cars don’t impress Shaq more than Johnson’s biggest entrepreneurial venture.

Shaquille O’Neal takes pride in Magic Johnson’s success

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Magic’s car collection impressed fellow legends like Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas among his thousands of fans. Johnson’s fleet of fancy rides consists of luxury cars such as a Bentley Continental and Cadillac Escalade – but the crown jewel is the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Only 237 units of this car exist in the world and the NBA legend owns one of them. The ‘Big Aristotle’ would rather gush about his old friend’s new business – ICYMI – though.

Johnson recently became part of an investment group that owns the NFL’s Washington Commanders. It was a historic feat too, as it brought some much-desired diversity into the NFL’s executive ranks. Several athletes have been celebrating Johnson’s new achievement, and Shaquille O’Neal isn’t far behind. The big man shared a post by ‘@diverserepresentation’ on his Instagram stories.

The post reveals that Washington, DC has the highest number of black owners of professional sports teams. Johnson shares the honor with Yo Gotti, the platinum-selling rapper, and former NFL pro Mark Ingram II, who are part-owners of the MLS’s DC United soccer team.

Also on the list is the first African American billionaire woman, Sheila Johnson, who owns the Washington Wizards, the Capitals, and the Mystics. Rounding up the list is Paxton Baker, the owner of the Washington Nationals.

Notably, in his 2011 book, Shaq Uncut,?Shaquille O’Neal recalled a time when he was a rising NBA star raking in the money. That’s when his mentor, Magic Johnson, gave him a piece of advice. “You don’t want to be just a name. You want to own things.” This sound advice from Magic Johnson, a multi-millionaire himself, inspired Shaq.

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Magic Johnson even made O’Neal the smooth talker he is today, by Big Diesel’s own admission.

READ MORE: From $40 Million to a Whopping $620,000,000 Net Worth, Magic Johnson Has Had One Secret to Massive Success

But there are some things Shaq failed to learn on time from Magic.

Shaq didn’t take all of Magic’s lessons

In one instance, Shaq passed on the opportunity to invest in Starbucks. He calls that his “biggest mistake,” mistakenly assuming that black people don’t consume coffee. Interestingly, the opportunity went to Johnson soon after and he seized it. He invested in the coffee chain in 1998 and sold it back to them in 2010 for a cool $70 million.

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We think O’Neal is a pretty good entrepreneur himself. You don’t build a $400 million empire out of thin air after all.

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WATCH THIS STORY ???50lbs Lighter, Shaquille O?Neal Ditches His 150 Restaurants for His $3,000,000,000 Company?

Who would you take business advice from – Shaq or Magic? Let us know in the comments!