The Big Podcast (DR)

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the richest players in NBA history, thanks to his salaries in the league but also thanks to his investments.

And yet it was off to a bad start, he who spent without really counting in his younger years!

In the 90s, NBA salaries were nowhere near as high as they are today.

Athletes certainly earned a good living, especially the superstars, but not necessarily enough to afford all the crazy things.

That’s also why a good number of them ended up broke after retirement.

Luckily for Shaquille O’Neal , he was one of the most dominant players on the planet, and one of the most popular, which allowed him to multiply his sources of income.

Because the former Magic and Lakers center was a huge spender in his youth.

When you come from nothing, it’s easy to get disturbed by checks with multiple zeros.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Spending Spree

As he recounted during his recent appearance on journalist Dan Patrick’s show, Diesel once spent a million dollars in just 30 minutes or so.

Between big cars, jewelry and clothes, he didn’t hold back on any expense as long as the math was right in his head.

I got a check for a million dollars from a car company, and I always wanted a 100% black Mercedes.

So I immediately signed it and went to the dealership. At the time I didn’t negotiate, I paid $150,000.

In my head I was still rich because I still had $850,000 on that check. As soon as I got home, my father said to me: “I wish I had the same one.”

We got back in the car and I bought her the same one. But with $700,000, I’m still rich. My mother also wanted a car, so I got a $100,000 one.

Then I had to go get jewelry, I bought 20 suits, I paid for an apartment in San Antonio when I didn’t even live there…

I paid a year’s rent right away. A few days later, the bank calls me.

The banker told me he didn’t want me to become like those broke athletes. He told me I had to educate myself financially.

I understood that I had to calm down from that moment on. This story about the million in 30 minutes is true…

One day for example, I bought two Ferraris that I had to cut in half to make one. That’s when you know you have too much money.

In his youth, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t necessarily have a concept of money and he didn’t hesitate to spend everything he earned. In the space of a few minutes, he could for example buy 3 cars, clothes and an apartment in a city where he didn’t live…