Shannon Sharpe’s Efforts to Save Shaquille O’Neal From Unpaid Debt Fails Against Millionaire Comedian

In March 2024, Shaq’s 2:51 minute diss track ignited social media. A gift to fans from Shaquille O’Neal, prompted by Shannon Sharpe’s fiery critique. The two icons of the NBA and NFL respectively beefed over last year’s MVP claims. Shaq felt that it was SGA’s title to win, which led to Sharpe calling him insecure for not choosing fellow Big Nikola Jokic. But the 3x Super Bowl Champion in the end said the beef was over. It seems it is truly over, as he supported the Big Aristotle despite multiple jabs from his podcast guest.

On Club Shay Shay’s April 2025 episode, comedian Ali Siddiq revealed. Siddiq prefaced his claim by name‑dropping former NBA standouts Vernon Maxwell and Nick Van Exel, featured in his acquaintance list alongside Shaquille O’Neal. That’s when the Houston native just dropped the bomb. “Shaq owed me $1,000.” Even the host, Sharpe, was shocked to hear this and enquired further.

Siddiq revealed “Shaq first album. He getting his haircut at Robert Young Salon on Richmond. I started this club called Just Joking, right across the street. So I’m in Robert Young salon all the time. Shaq coming there, Diesel coming there, and he talking about his album.” This was about the first ever album from the Lakers legend. “I said, ‘Your album ain’t going to be good.’ He talking about ‘I bet you get my album, you going to like every song on there.’ So I get the album.”

Shannon Sharpe inquired further and asked how many songs the comedian actually liked. “I know two of them was good. I come right back and I’m waiting on him, I say, ‘Shaq two songs.'” Since he only liked two songs from the Album, he wants the $1000 from Shaquille O’Neal. That’s when the host chimed in to support DJ Diesel. “You might have liked more than, you might have liked about six or seven of those songs.” But Siddiq stayed true to his opinion and did not budge.

Later, Sharpe also added, “Naa, he good at freestyling. You don’t think, you don’t think he good at?” Siddiq’s answer got more brutal. “When you don’t know rappers, yeah.” And he started laughing hysterically.

Siddiq’s $1,000 claim harkens back to 1993, when Shaq released Shaq Diesel—certified Platinum by the RIAA in May 1994. Despite Siddiq not liking it, the album’s success was undeniable. Additionally, two singles, ‘(I Know I Got) Skillz’ and ‘I’m Outstanding’, even made it on the Billboard Hot 100 list. So, despite the personal jabs in the past, Sharpe tried supporting O’Neal

What messages were exchanged when Shaquille O’Neal beefed with Sharpe?

The ESPN analyst took it personally when Shaq said Shai-Gilgeous Alexander deserved the MVP over Jokic and how Jokic isn’t as good a player as he is. Shannon Sharpe snapped back on his Nightcap podcast, accusing Shaq of envy for lacking multiple MVPs. Sharpe argued, “Shaq should have five MVPs…I think a part of Shaq is envious of that”. He went further, challenging Shaq’s GOAT aspirations: “It’s hard…to put somebody in the GOAT conversation with one MVP”.

To this, O’Neal responded, “Shows how smart you are and how you say anything to get clicks. So here’s some clickbait for you.” Apart from this, there was the 2-minute 51-second diss track. But the war of words did not end.  Shaquille O’Neal further suggested that Sharpe “can’t speak on” him because he isn’t “ranked in the top ten” in his “profession.” The Lakers legend also added, “Don’t forget I know what you did to get where you at, me jealous, sounds like you jealous.” After the diss track, there was no response from the NFL icon.

The dust‑up climaxed with Shaq’s 2:51‑long diss track “Shaqtin’ You Wrong,” in which he lampooned Sharpe’s credentials and work ethic. Despite the salvo, Sharpe chose not to respond in kind; instead, he publicly declared the feud over. In a May 2024 interview with People, Sharpe said, “I don’t have no problem with Shaq…He said what he said, I’m ready to move on”. True to his word, just one month later, he slotted Shaq third on his personal list of greatest centers ever. So, it seems the NFL icon is staying true to his words about the truce.