It appeared that Shaquille O’Neal, like LeBron James, had given up on the dream of owning the Las Vegas expansion team. Not only is the opportunity now available to him, but Big Diesel might also be considering a high-stakes bidding war within his own social circle! With Magic Johnson’s entourage also in the running to kickstart a franchise, Shaq is actually spoiled for choice.

The race to bring a franchise to the entertainment capital has officially escalated into a multi-billion-dollar scene. At least four groups are in contention. According to Page Six, a powerful consortium of sports legends, entertainment moguls, and investors is “engaged in a full court press” to secure the Vegas franchise.

They could value it as high as $13 billion. Until recently, the NBA expansion teams in Vegas and Seattle were estimated at $10 billion, but matters have blown past normalcy.

Now, a powerhouse group called the Las Vegas Jacks, led by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, has announced a massive bid after locking in at least $8 billion in financial capital. Despite their substantial war chest, the group’s asset goal is $13 billion. The team includes former NBA players Vinny Del Negro and Jay Williams, along with former Turner Sports president David Levy.

Colangelo’s camp has essentially reset the bar for Sin City’s upcoming expansion opportunity. The NBA’s expansion into Vegas could mark the first new franchise since 2004. The $13B valuation highlights Vegas’ rise as a sports hub since the Golden Knights’ 2017 debut.

However, this monumental cash play directly positions Colangelo on a collision course with a rival syndicate backed by Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson and his investment firm, MAGI. Representatives for MAGI have already held meetings with state officials, including Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo.

Competing against them is another faction led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Thrive Capital founder and managing partner Josh Kushner, a minority owner of the Miami Heat. They are considering a bid of their own through Thrive Eternal.

Bill Foley, owner of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and a minority owner of T-Mobile Arena, also expressed interest in bidding. Notably, T-Mobile Arena is the presumed home of the new Vegas team until they have their own arena.

Shaquille O’Neal’s position among these bidders is interesting. He has publicly voiced a strong desire to partner with an ownership group to anchor a Vegas team. However, it remains to be seen who he picks.

What are the actual chances that Shaquille O’Neal will join any Vegas ownership bidder? And what about LeBron?

LeBron James was eager to own a Vegas franchise. But in addition to active players being barred from joining the Board of Governors, he’s returning for a landmark 24th season. The result? He clearly stated that he’s “not at all” participating in any bid. It’s also reported that Fenway Sports Group’s withdrawal due to the reported $8 billion entry fee was a factor in that decision. But unlike LeBron, Shaq is exploring partnerships instead of leading the line himself.

Before the NBA Governors officially approved exploring Vegas and Seattle as the next NBA destinations, Shaq had been vocal about wanting to become an NBA team owner. He refused to partner with LeBron but openly courted former Mavericks shotcaller, Mark Cuban, for the role. Big Diesel, however, had been silent since the expansion teams were finalized. Some thought that without a backer like FSG, O’Neal would not be in a position to bid.

His Las Vegas-based business manager, Perry Rogers, said that they have definitely had conversations with ownership groups.

“I’m very, very excited for Las Vegas,” Rogers said. “For us to have an NBA team here is the right fit. I think Las Vegas has been a basketball town for a long time, and I think this is the next step in that evolution.”

A source told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Michael Jordan’s name has been mentioned by members of ownership groups, noting the NBA champion was interested in joining a group. However, the source said there haven’t been direct talks with Jordan yet.

Notably, Page Six indicates Shaq is quietly weighing his options to join a bidder. Logically, it would make sense that he’d join hands with Magic Johnson, his mentor long before he was picked first in the 1993 NBA draft. Shaq has modeled his business after Magic and dreams of owning franchises like his idol.

If they team up, it could be a clash of Lakers royalty against the very executive who built the Phoenix Suns and USA Basketball into modern powerhouses. The sheer magnitude of Jerry Colangelo competing with a $13 billion war chest has unprecedented leverage in a bidding war. So far, this is the only group to have officially raised funds, while the others have only formally expressed interest in the team.

So, the Las Vegas Jacks could end up luring the Big Aristotle into their camp, too. After all, they have O’Neal’s former boss from TNT, David Levy. Inside the NBA may be under the Disney/ABC-owned ESPN, but it’s impossible to discount the Bob Iger factor in getting Shaq on his side, either. Iger has longstanding relations with the league, and O’Neal, who boasts big connections at Disney from his Orlando days, could rival Magic and Colangelo by joining him.

It can be argued that he has a connection with Bill Foley, too. O’Neal is constructing a multi-million-dollar youth sports complex in Northeast Vegas. Shaq’s friends at the Golden Knights, the Raiders, the UFC, and multiple sports leagues have donated to build special multi-sport athletic facilities for kids.

As for the location, Vegas has transformed into a thriving global sports capital, with Shaq leaving his mark through restaurants, Fantasy Labs, DJ events, and real estate. Now, Colangelo’s sudden influx of cash could lead Shaq, Magic, and others to increase efforts to bring an NBA team to Sin City.