Shaquille O’Neal Almost Bought $4 Billion Atlanta Falcons but Backed Out Due to One Reason

It’s nothing new to see ex-NBA players becoming owners or significant investors in the sport. Shaquille O’Neal is no different. Beyond his interest in owning a team in the NBA, did you know he’s been vying to get into elite circles of Formula 1 and the NFL? In fact, in 2013, the 4x NBA champion even bought a minority ownership stake with the Sacramento Kings only to sell it nine years later, due to his business interests in betting.

Although his ownership ended with them, it did not stop him from looking for other teams. With a $500 million net worth to his name, the Los Angeles Lakers champion is waiting for the right time to make a purchase. However, there were also some missed opportunities, and the four-time NBA champion revealed one of them in his recent ‘The Big Podcast’ episode with Kirk Cousins from the NFL.

During a segment of the show, Atlanta Falcons star Kirk Cousins asked Shaq, “Did sports team ownership interest you at all as you were playing?” Even before Cousins could finish, the Big Diesel chimed in, “Yes, I actually had a conversation with the Falcons and I thought about it. But I know there’s this couple of new NBA teams coming up…that would interest me more.” 

Since Shaq expressed his keen interest in owning a team, Cousins further asked if he wanted to be involved in basketball decisions. Surprisingly Shaq said, “No… I’m more of a title guy. Like I have a PhD but it was all about the title for me, for my children… I would like to own a team but I don’t want to be making decisions. I just want to be sitting in the box with my arms crossed going in a suit…”

Shaq has been waiting to own a sports team for a long time now. In 2022, Shaq was forced to sell his stake in the Sacramento Kings because he became a brand ambassador for a betting company. According to NBA ownership rules, owning a team under such circumstances is not allowed. This is not to say that he isn’t on the lookout to become a major stakeholder in another team, or better yet another sport. 

In a TMZ Sports TV show, the ‘Hobo Master’ was asked if he had an interest in owning any NFL franchise. He said, “Yeah, but this time around when I purchase a team, I want to be heavily involved.” This may come as a shock to many but he rated the Dolphins, the Cowboys, and the Raiders, as out of his comfort zone. But nevertheless, Shaq’s interest in football stems from the fact that it is the first sport he played. In fact, one of his earliest and fondest memories is from his freshman year when he intercepted a pass and later returned it for a touchdown. In the process, he injured his knee after coming in contact with his opponent, and sadly, that meant the end of his football career.

Shaquille O’Neal is a go-getter. But he, on many occasions, has clearly passed his message across. He wouldn’t like to associate himself with the image of an owner who would passively enjoy his bragging rights; he is one who likes to be involved, make decisions, and get his hands dirty. Although he once joked that he likes “F1 even though I can’t fit in none of the damn cars, Diesel along with soccer legend David Beckham hosted a celebration at Club SI before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Read More: Despite Being “Polar Opposites”, Shaquille O’Neal Inspires Kirk Cousins to Pursue an Academic Degree

But Las Vegas might hold more incentive for Diesel than it seems. Since Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, confirmed in 2022 that the NBA will expand “invariably,” there have been several reports over the last few months that revealed the possibility of a new NBA franchise in the upcoming years, and this might allow Shaq an opportunity to team up with other NBA stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant or even have his own team.

Shaq “would like to go back home,” but which home?

With the NBA expected to expand, the two notable cities that the NBA might be interested in are Las Vegas and Seattle. In an interview when Kevin Durant was asked if he would like to own a franchise based in Seattle, probably the return of the Supersonics, he replied, “Seattle would be the ideal spot…I would love to be a part of the NBA in that fashion”. But that’s just Seattle. As for Vegas, Diesel might be facing some stiff competition.

According to Forbes, LeBron James gave it to you pretty straight (Dec 2023): “I would love to bring a team here (Las Vegas) at some point.” Just two months prior to LBJ’s revelation, on the other hand, Shaq who is a part-time LA resident, has lived in the city for more than 20 years and owns several restaurants there, told in an interview with the Messenger, “If they ever get to a point where they [Vegas] are awarded a team, I would like to be a part of that. I don’t want to partner up with nobody. I want it all for myself.” 

However, in 2022, Shaquille O’Neal sent a cryptic message expressing his wish to invest in an NBA team, and it was not the Suns where he was a minority stakeholder from 2013 to 2022. He said, “It’d probably be disrespectful to say it, but I would like to go back home.” Well, home could be several places for him. He played in San Antonio, Texas during his high school days, then at the LSU, moved to Orlando, and finally LA Lakers.

At his jersey retirement ceremony with Orlando Magic on Feb 13, Shaq concluded his speech by extending his interest in staying connected to the team. He addressed the owners, “the DeVos [Richard DeVos] family,” who bought the Orlando Magic in 1991 for $85 million, that he wouldn’t think twice before quitting TNT if they would have him “back home.” Orlando goes way back for Diesel: he was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA draft the following year. Although they have not shown interest in selling the franchise yet, at least, we now know what Shaquille O’Neal meant by “home.”

Read more: Kevin Durant’s Ownership Dreams Given Harsh Reality Check by Ex-Clippers Star