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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Shaquille O’Neal attends AOL Build to discuss his collaboration with Toys For Tots at AOL HQ on December 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210316164758/GettyImages-628051744.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Shaquille O’Neal attends AOL Build to discuss his collaboration with Toys For Tots at AOL HQ on December 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage)
As a general rule, the bigger a man grows in stature, the more he indulges in luxuries. Especially, in the case of NBA players and legends. Even though their transition to the business side of things can be nice, they also become exorbitant spenders. As a result, their paychecks tend to look quite different than others. On that note, today we take a look into one of the most unsuccessful business dealings of one Shaquille O’Neal.
Coincidentally, it involves a luxury that the Los Angeles Lakers legend grew out of pretty quickly.
Shaquille O’Neal invests in a luxurious customization
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Due to his flourishing career, O’Neal tends to live a life of luxury as it is. Between his DJ duties and a business empire that continues to grow, the big man has no shortage of money. But his impressive physique has led to some problems in the spending department. Even though he was an avid automobile fan, his 7-foot frame didn’t allow him to get into many standard vehicles.
As a result, it is a passion that the big man could not divulge for a long time. However, he eventually found a solution.
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal arrives with the winner’s trophy after the running of the U.S. Grand Prix F1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Partnering with the parent company, he got himself a heavily modified Lamborghini to fit his gigantic needs.
That excursion would come at the paltry price of $600,000. It became an addition to his growing display with a custom Jeep Wrangler and a Dodge Charger already part of the 30+ collection. The silver-colored car was effectively an amalgamation of two Lamborghini molded to fit the big man.
Further, it gave him reminders of old neighborhood gangsters. It’s a sight for sore eyes; the 7-footer sitting in the $11 billion brand’s uber-fast vehicle.
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While his trust in Esports, along with practically every other venture, was a massive success, his parting with the supercar was a poor business move on his part, to say the least.
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Shaquille O’Neal’s massive loss
Even though the cost price came to be $600,000, the former Miami Heat Champion would let go of the car for a net loss of $480,000.
Netting barely 20 cents on the dollar, the transaction was a massive loss for the 351-pounder. But the story is as hilarious as it is sad. With his eyes set on a new $110,000 car, the 4x champion was ready to part ways with his Lamborghini. However, the big man forgot about the original price of the car.
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As a result, while he first thought he was making a $10,000 profit, the deal became a disaster in the long run for Mr. O’Neal. In this scenario, money definitely could not buy Shaquille O’Neal some happiness.