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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 14: American Express Brings Together Rapper Travis Scott and Sports Legend Shaquille O’Neal at Austin City Limits Festival on October 14, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Express)

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 14: American Express Brings Together Rapper Travis Scott and Sports Legend Shaquille O’Neal at Austin City Limits Festival on October 14, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Express)
The one thing that often is not as visible when discussing superstars is their drawing power. While DJ Diesel first made a name for himself on the basketball court, he is a bona fide celebrity today. Due to that popularity, a certain level of fame and magnetism go hand-in-hand. As a result, wherever Shaquille O’Neal goes, a crowd follows.
It is that drawing power that a certain industry is counting on to save them from their plight.
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Superman Shaquille O’Neal to the rescue 8,000 miles from home
The entire need came about due to Typhoon Saola necessitating the temporary closure of casinos. Even though the event was a rarity, it still led to a dramatic decline in revenue from the sector. After all, the typhoon didn’t just close the casinos for 9 hours but also affected travel mandates and tourism numbers.? The industry revenue took a dive of 13% from August, and still stand at less than 70% of the pre-Covid levels. In fact casino gaming revenues fell to 14.9 billion Macanese Pataca, the equivalent of $1.8 billion.
However, when the going gets tough,?Big Diesel?gets ready to party. In fact, that’s exactly what he did to help the city of Macau.

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 14: Shaquille O’Neal Behind the Scenes of American Express Stage at Austin City Limits Festival on October 14, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Express)
Known as the “Las Vegas of Asia”, the city relies on funds from the tourism and entertainment sectors. As such, DJ Diesel came to the rescue.
On October 1, the 4x NBA champion graced the Wynn Palace in Macau, headlining a poolside dance party at the 5-star hotel. South Korean artist DJ Soda shared an adorable moment from the celebrations.
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According to the Macau Daily Times, the expectation is for an acceleration in line with China’s Golden Week Holiday, an 8-day period that usually sees an increase in travel during October. But, another major reason for the pick up could be the inclusion of a certain Los Angeles Lakers legend.
The event is expected to lead to a huge bump, possibly reaching 72% of pre-pandemic levels, the highest percentage since that woeful time. It is a tried and tested formula. But, where Shaquille O’Neal is concerned, it might as well be foolproof.
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Shaquille O’Neal’s unmatched fame
The former Miami Heat champion is a bona fide draw today. Whether it be his NBA career or business endeavors, Shaq alone stands as a brand.
As a result, his popularity continues to soar, reaching all-time highs. Further, his amicable personality and philanthropic nature add to his charm. He uses it to his benefit when promoting his own businesses. But it’s clearly a draw that many brands are looking to capitalize on.
All this to say that the 351-pounder is undeniable and his presence can certainly help out many businesses due to the sheer magnetism it brings.
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Can Shaquille O’Neal help bring Macau to it’s pre-COVID numbers? What do you think?
Watch This Story: Humbling Damian Lillard With ‘GOAT’ Crown, Shaquille O’Neal Defends Alter Ego Career With 1 Verdict
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