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Shaquille O’Neal Wants to Buy $1.98 Billion Worth NBA Team Owned by Vietnam War Veteran?

Published 10/17/2022, 3:21 PM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal reiterated his desire to own an NBA team during his recent visit to the 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi preseason game in UAE. O’Neal was the NBA ambassador for the occasion and was thrilled to receive a warm welcome from the fans. Shaq has a vested interest in business and artistic ventures. He has created a $400 million business empire for himself after his successful Hall of Famer NBA career. The four-time NBA champ recently made some mysterious comments and restated his wish to invest in an NBA team.

I would like to go back home,” the four-time NBA champ had cryptically said about his intentions of buying a team. Since, Shaq has played with so many franchises, it’s difficult to ascertain exactly what he meant by ‘home.’

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Shaq could be interested in buying the San Antonio Spurs

It is believed that Shaquille O’Neal might be interested in buying the $1.98 million worth San Antonio Spurs, owned by businessman and Vietnam war veteran Peter Holt. Incidentally, Shaq went to high school in San Antonio, Texas, the home of the Spurs. Therefore, speculations are strong that Shaq could mean San Antonio when he talks about ‘home.’ Although, there might be other places that could fit the description of ‘home’ as well, like Atlanta, LA, Orlando etc.

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Many fans felt that Shaq was talking about the Phoenix Suns as he was with the team from 2007-09. However, O’Neal clarified last week on The Big Podcast that he would be a ‘Shaqtin’ fool’ to bid for the Suns after discovering that billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos was interested in the franchise.

Following his suspension, Robert Sarver announced that he was looking for buyers for his NBA and WNBA teams after the hostile work environment investigation. Jeff Bezos has shown interest in buying the team.

Which NBA team is Shaquille O’Neal investing in?

Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal reignited his interest in buying an NBA team with his recent comments during a conversation with CNN’s Becky Anderson. Shaq reckoned that he was unsure about revealing the details of his move. The Lakers legend added, “It’d probably be disrespectful to say it, but I would like to go back home. I’ll leave that to the viewers to figure out [what it means].”

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Apart from the Spurs, there are numbers of teams that Shaq could have referred to as home.  He was at LSU in college, quite close to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Spurs’ current chairman and controlling owner, Juliana Hawn Holt recently finalized her divorce from ex-husband Peter M. Holt. Hence, Holt’s primary ownership shares will undergo a division.

Watch This Story: Shaquille O’Neal’s Bizarre Pre-Game Ritual From His Magic Days

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Moreover, the Spurs were reportedly planning to move from San Antonio and host more home games in Austin and New Mexico. However, the team’s current agreement prohibits relocation through the 2031-32 season. So, if the Spurs threaten to move, Shaq could have an opportunity to step in and buy the team.

Do you think Shaq wants to buy the San Antonio Spurs? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Rohit Kumawat

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Rohit Kumawat is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing an MBA in Media and Business Management, Rohit holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has been working as a Sports and Entertainment writer for over a year.
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