In February, both Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley happily accepted the role of honorary GM for the NBA All-Star weekend. Now the former has accepted the position not for a weekend but for a longer time. Both NBA icons have previously criticized the current NCAA rules regarding the transfer portal, NIL deals. And with the new role, Shaq will be at the center of it, which Chuck is not a fan of.

On April 28, Sacramento State named Shaq its new general manager, just weeks after his son, Shareef O’Neal, transferred in. Coach Mike Bibby—Sac State’s all‐time leading scorer—recruited Shareef and persuaded Shaq to sign on. He is not the first NBA player to accept the GM role. Before O’Neal, Stephen Curry and Trae Young are two other stars who have taken general manager roles at their alma maters, Davidson and Oklahoma, respectively.

When OutKick’s Dan Dakich asked Barkley about joining Auburn’s staff, Chuck unleashed a scathing rebuke. “I saw Shaq doing that with Mike Bibby. Will you ever do something like that with Bruce at Auburn? Or will Michael ever do something like that at North Carolina?” Just like the Inside the NBA broadcast, where Shaquille O’Neal and Chuck have different opinions. Here, too, Charles Barkley was not a fan of this position under the current situation of the NCAA.

The answer was blunt, which we expect from the Suns’ legend. “We’re such a sh—y country, Dan. We have ruined college athletics, and I don’t want to get in that cesspool.” Generating millions of dollars only for college athletes to play for a certain time is not a feasible plan for the TNT analyst. He even compared the situation with the professional NBA players. “Can you imagine if players in the NBA got to be a free agent every year? I’m not again, I’m not opposed to players getting paid, I want to make that clear.”

More than 1,080 D‑I athletes tapped the transfer portal in 2024–25—a record high that Barkley lambasted as unsustainable. “I’m not sure how I get my return on investments if he’s only going to be in my college for one year, and you’re probably not going to win the championship. So the NCAA, they’re a bunch of idiots and fools. They have ruined the sport.” So, Charles Barkley denied being involved with any college program. But Shaq’s all in with the Sac State.

Multiple roles where Shaquille O’Neal will help the program from the financial crunch

Sacramento State’s athletic department has been operating under a $37 million deficit this year, driven by a proposed $375 million cut to the CSU system, rising benefit costs, and inflationary pressures. Over 85% of the Hornets’ $431.6 million baseline operating budget goes straight to salaries and benefits, leaving little wiggle room for scholarships, facility upkeep, or marketing. The resulting budget‐cut measures even forced the university to scrap a planned college consolidation model in late April

Mark Orr spoke about this on Fox40 News and jokingly added that the reason the Lakers legend could benefit is for the “in-game” entertainment. Witnessing the success and hype for Shaq’s “Bass All Stars”, Sac State hopes to similarly boost ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, leveraging DJ Diesel’s proven sell‑out power at festivals.. The Hornets’ athletic director knows the tight situation of the program. As per the Sacramento Bee, Sacramento State faces a $37 million athletic deficit, recent budget documents show. So, apart from the DJ skills, they need Shaquille O’Neal for more important things.

“With today’s NCAA name, image, and likeness and NIL space, opportunities for Sacramento State to generate revenue, not only for our athletic program and our university but also for student athletes, is another area that I think Shaq can add a lot to us.” Being a role model for student athletes was another case where the Big Aristotle’s presence will benefit them.

Moreover, Shaq’s involvement strengthens Sac State’s bid for FBS‑level football status, which the administration submitted to the NCAA this spring. On‑campus momentum (including Mikey Williams’s commitment) suggests the Hornets are on the rebound, both competitively and financially.

What’s the bottom line? In a year when Sacramento State must cut millions, Shaq’s GM role could be exactly the infusion this program needs to turn a $37 million red ink into sustainable upward momentum, while Barkley pities the mess he sees. Let’s see if Shaq’s success with the Sacramento State will change Chuck’s narrative.