Shaquille O’Neal Raises NBA All-Star Stakes With Tempting Prize for Players That Could Save Ratings

Shaquille O’Neal, who splurges on lavish cars, also has a pricey solution to fix the NBA. The 2024 NBA All-Star witnessed a 20% increase in viewership, taking an impressive leap from its previous numbers. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the fans, who appeared rather disappointed. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has already addressed the issue and is looking for a change. Amidst that, O’Neal’s advice for the league to make the All-Star better than before might come in handy. However, it might get a bit too expensive.

It might be relatable to fans who argued that players haven’t been competitive enough, and the defense hasn’t been strong at the All-Star event. Defense, playing style, and the list of complaints goes on. So, Big Aristotle suggested that rewarding the winners with some luxury gifts could motivate players to compete to win.

And in case you’re wondering, by luxury, he means Maybachs, Cybertrucks, and more, as winning prizes. “First place, everybody gets a Maybach. Second place, everybody gets Cybertrucks. MVP gets a million-dollar cash…. And the losers get S550s,” Shaquille O’Neil suggested on The Big Podcast, leaving his guest Godfrey impressed. Pretty interesting idea, right? 

Like we have craved to get some defense in the All-Star games, but we never do. Furthermore, host Adam Lefkoe even suggested that another thing could be added to create tension: deducting 5% from the contracts of the losing party. However, Shaquille O’Neal remained doted on by his previous plan. All these ideas are quite big enough.

Recalling his own days competing for MVP, O’Neal said he wanted to compete and show his best to impress the crowd. “When I went, I wanted that MVP trophy for the kids. That’s what it was. I wanted, you know, superstars are there. I’m going to put on a show,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said. 

Just a few months ago, the basketball legend advised that the NBA should think about a change since there has been too much focus on three-point shooting. That could save the league after it experienced a drop in ratings. Regarding the All-Star, Commissioner Silver has expressed the need for improvement.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is planning big things after Shaquille O’Neal’s interesting pitch

As per NBA reporter Rachel Nichols, the commissioner is looking for new ideas to change the format of the All-Star event. Ahead of the Miami vs. Washington game in Mexico City, Silver planned to make the All-Star game more competitive.

“We’re looking at other formats. I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans,” he added. Last season, the Western Conference won 211-186 against the Eastern Conference. A team winning by 200 points was the first in its 73-year history. That explains Commissioner Silver’s previous comment for change. 

“We want to do something that will excite the fans and also excite the players, so it’s something they’ll be enthusiastic about playing in,” Silver shared. He even sought the help of another NBA star.

Since the game will be in San Francisco, the commissioner asked Golden State star Stephen Curry to look for ways to boost viewership. “It’s a home game for him,” Silver said about Curry, with whom he had already discussed the matter. He added, “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward.”

While O’Neal’s ideas are valid in their own right, the league must have also figured out other ways to make a change.