Shaquille O’Neal Plots Mischief for Lebron James’ Retirement Dream as Michael Jordan Steps Down From Throne: “I Want It All for Myself”

Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the country. Yet it’s missing a prime position in the NBA. However, several key figures are aspiring to rectify that. One of them is LeBron James, who has made no secret of wanting to be part of a brand-new franchise. Now he’s potentially facing a Big hurdle in his post-NBA plans. Since there’s a void for an NBA player-turned-owner after Michael Jordan sold the Charlotte Hornets, Shaquille O’Neal is hoping to fill it before King James could.

Shaq has a big commercial presence in Sin City already. What’s another NBA team to him?

Shaquille O’Neal wants to steal LeBron James’ dream

Shaquille O’Neal is in Las Vegas for The Event, his major charity gala. And yet he was not feeling charitable to a certain someone. While dishing about his fundraiser to ‘The Messenger,’ Shaq disclosed his plans to add an NBA team to his portfolio.

“I would like to have my own group,” O’Neal said in the interview. He previously had a minority ownership in the Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022. He seems to be open to a similar position but on a larger scale.

“I know Vegas hasn’t been awarded an NBA team yet but if they ever get to a point where they 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.” Big Diesel is not the first to show interest in giving Las Vegas its own NBA team, though.

It is the ideal city to launch the newest pro-basketball team. And Shaq already has a huge presence here. The 4x NBA champion launched his fast-casual dining chain, Big Chicken Shaq in Vegas. He’s now the newest curator of Shaq’s Fantasy Labs. He’s got countless businesses here where he hosts his glamourous charity concert.

He sold his stake in the Kings in a deal with Wynn Las Vegas, too. After closing the deal, he said, “Till we meet again…” The city’s first NBA team would be the cherry on top of his Vegas-themed cake.

WATCH THIS STORY | “Didn’t Say You Can Talk”: After Threatening His “Girlfriend’s” Replacement, Shaquille O’Neal Publicly Troubles One Fan for 1 Annoying Reason

LeBron James is another Los Angeles Lakers star who is keen on the prospect. It wouldn’t hurt to have these two titans collaborate to build an NBA expansion team. However, Shaq clearly wants the whole pie for himself.

A scramble for Vegas glory

Michael Jordan became the first former NBA player to become a majority owner of an NBA team by gaining a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets in 2010. He set the benchmark for NBA stars to transition into operations in a massive way.

Las Vegas is a good place to start. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league is inclined to expand here once the media rights deal ends in 2025. Now that MJ has stepped away from the Hornets, James is hoping to fill the void as the NBA pro-turned-owner.

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Makes Trick-Or-Treat Festival “Bigger and Scarier” – What Is Shaktoberfest?

Can Shaq upset that? He has a $400 million net worth by the latest estimates. Jordan’s stake was worth $3 billion at the time of the sale. He’ll need to partner up, maybe with James. And who wouldn’t want the former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates together again? Fingers crossed, Shaq is open to this deal.