With his towering 7-foot-1 frame and unmatched dominance on the court, Shaquille O’Neal was a force to be reckoned with in basketball. Now, the legendary center is set to make its mark in a different way—by being honored at a historic event in New Orleans. But this recognition comes with a major twist, bringing an unprecedented change to one of Louisiana’s most cherished traditions.

Bacchus Krewe Captain Clark Brennan has officially announced that Shaquille O’Neal will serve as Bacchus LVI. “I truly felt Shaq would be a perfect king because of his Louisiana ties with LSU. He’s a great ambassador and role model for our young kids today to do the right thing,” Brennan explained. The four-time NBA champion will reign as King Bacchus for the 2025 Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.

This is a big deal. Over the years, the parade has featured a lineup of celebrities, sports icons, and cultural figures. But this time, the honor goes to a personality larger than life itself. To accommodate such a legendary presence, the Krewe had to make historic changes like never before.

One of the most striking adjustments? A custom-built throne designed specifically for the 7-foot giant, who wears size 22 shoes. The newly crafted seat measures a whopping 48 inches wide and nearly 8 feet tall—the first time in Bacchus history that a throne has been resized for its King’s float. “Barry Kern’s company built a new throne so a big man like Shaq could fit and feel comfortable and safe,” Brennan added.

During the parade, the Los Angeles Lakers legend will toss around 250,000 doubloons that will feature his face as well as 1,000 basketballs. Speaking of the memorable experience, Brennan said, “It will be the catch this year if you catch one.” 

More about the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade for 2025

Over the years, notable names such as Charlton Heston, William Shatner, Kirk Douglas, and Dick Clark were named the king. And considering O’Neal’s connection with New Orleans as well as Louisiana State University, he became the fitting choice this year. Just a few days ago, the basketball legend was in New Orleans during Super Bowl weekend. He was there for his Shaq’s Fun House event.

A crowd of nearly 2 to 3 million will be in attendance to watch O’Neal. Named after the Greek god of wine, Bacchus, the parade led by the 4x NBA champ will be held on Sunday, March 2, at 5:15 p.m. And for those who aren’t aware, the theme will be Louisiana Fairs and Festivals this year.

Led by Bacchus LVI, the parade will be joined by 1,700 riders. Well, the throne built to fit the 4x NBA champ won’t be the only enticing sight!