Drafted right after high school, there were moments when Jermaine O’Neal wondered if this was the right decision. Despite the lack of a championship that still bothers him, his performance and constant effort to improve never let his fans linger on that doubt. He proved himself. Ever since he retired, the former Indiana Pacers star’s focus has been on helping other young, aspiring athletes. That spirit is translated into his newest endeavor in 2024. 

This is how he has also built a business around his passion. Playing for seven teams throughout his stellar 19-year career, the basketball star, who was once the second-highest-paid player in the league, cleverly utilizes his net worth of $50 million to boost it. Here’s how he reached success in and beyond the NBA.

Jermaine O’Neal’s NBA career earnings

Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round, O’Neal didn’t get enough opportunities to show up and prove himself, limited to just 10 minutes per game. However, he had an impressive deal. Back in 1999, he was able to ink a $24-million deal with the franchise. 

After averaging 3.9 points per game there, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2000. Along with Reggie Miller, he found a new opportunity to show what he was capable of. This is when he had the most playing time, garnered the accolades that make up his NBA career, helped the Pacers make six playoff appearances, and even had Nike ad campaigns crafted around him. But before that, he signed a fat contract. 

After averaging 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, and finishing 3rd in the MVP voting, O’Neal would come out to be one of the top three highest-paid NBA players — a seven-year deal worth $126 million signed in 2003. It would contribute majorly to his $168 million career earnings from the league. 

 “I didn’t even realize until this summer that over the last seven years I was one of the top three paid players in the entire NBA. I never knew that,” O’Neal said to Boston Globe’s Julian Benbow.

But that was until his injuries that began to impact him. Ultimately, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors and then went on to play for other teams such as the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and more. With a celebrated career, the basketball legend has amassed a fortune. And he is using it for the right causes. One being a new sports agency.

Jermaine O’Neal fulfills his big dream

The former NBA player is taking a big step in his business with Valor Sports Agency, a player representation agency. While it is just about to launch, a post by Boardroom reveals that the company already has some of the strongest clients.

The roster includes Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Jaylon Tyson, Brooklyn Nets G-League signee Jaylen Martin, Kansas basketball and football standout recruit Jaden Nickens, and Logan Eggleston. And another special member of the roster is O’Neal’s 25-year-old daughter, Asija O’Neal.

Asija, who was initially interested in basketball like her father, inclined towards a different sport. The Longhorns stand out found a new passion and interest for volleyball after undergoing surgery for a heart condition. The list of stars will likely continue to grow.

“Valor Sports Agency is the true realization of my long-standing passion for sports and sports management, combined with a deep commitment to providing top-tier representation and services to athletes. Our mission at Valor is to empower athletes to achieve their full potential, both on and off the field, through personalized and strategic guidance tailored to each individual’s unique journey,” O’Neal said about his agency.

The former Pacers legend’s previous experience in the field might also prove helpful for him. He had previously teamed up with another basketball legend for an endeavor. This latest endeavor was only another of O’Neal’s efforts to expand his presence in the highly lucrative industry.

Jermaine O’Neal joined hands with Tracy McGrady for new business 

In an urge to share his experience and knowledge gained in the league, the 6x NBA All-Star dreamt of starting a sports agency. Working closely with Tracy McGrady, who was also a high school draftee, the two founded the Seven1 Sports Group and Entertainment in 2020. The name of the sports agency was a nod to the two basketball stars’ jersey numbers — McGrady’s jersey No. 1 and O’Neal’s No. 7.

O’Neal’s dream to lead a sports agency and help young athletes might have stemmed from the support he received from his high school coach, George Glymph. After witnessing the then 18-year-old average 22.4 points, Coach Glymph was the one who suggested O’Neal to join the league instead of attending college, like Kevin Garnett. And that turned out to be a great decision for an 18-year-old O’Neal.

“There’s no magic wand for this. We’re not trying to say we’re the magic wand. But we’re going to be different. You can’t name another pair of people who have had the level of success and the ups and downs that we’ve had in our careers,” O’Neal had told The Times. 

While it’s an uncommon business field for former NBA players, he is steadily taking long strides to make it to the top.