Shaquille O’Neal is that one rare individual who is never afraid to take risks. Be it during his playing days or during his post-retirement career. It’s not that he has always succeeded in everything, the NBA legend himself admitted how he felt lost after his retirement from the game. “I was lost because I had planned to retire two years after I retired. So I wasn’t really prepared,” O’Neal said. But things started to change for Shaq after he started challenging himself by doing what no one thought a basketball player would do. DJ, music, acting, multiple business ventures, you name it, Shaq has mastered almost everything. However, when you’re juggling that many ventures, one bad bounce can be costly. And Shaq learned it the hard way that cost him a whopping $11 million.

Whether bulldozing defenders in the paint or flipping real estate and tech stocks, Shaq’s playbook has always been the same: think big, move smart, and dominate. Come May 2023, Shaq realized what one bad decision could do to his reputation that took him decades to build. That’s exactly what happened when Shaq jumped into the NFT space.

He backed the Astrals NFT project, which promised a virtual world of digital collectibles. His influence drew in investors, many of whom trusted the brand because of his name. But later, a federal judge ruled that the NFTs and GLXY tokens were unregistered securities. That decision hit hard.

After months of legal back-and-forth, Shaq agreed to an $11 million settlement. The lawsuit claimed buyers suffered financial losses due to his promotions. Though O’Neal wasn’t the only celebrity caught in crypto chaos, his name added weight to the case. The court has since approved the deal, which includes attorney fees and compensation for affected investors. In this volatile market, even a sports icon couldn’t dodge the backlash. As Adam Moskowitz, the lead counsel, said, fair resolutions need both bold judges and “willing partners.”

Still, Shaq isn’t one to stay down. During the Final Four Weekend, a clip of him surfaced from a chat with MySA. Before the live taping of The Big Podcast, he talked about new plans, this time in real estate. “I would love to get a ranch in San Antonio or across the San Antonio,” he said. He even joked, “I think it’s coming. I don’t know who has the rights for Texas, but I know we’ve got $200 million to lose, but it’s definitely coming to San Antonio,” referring to his Big Chicken expansion.

This isn’t his first swing at Texas real estate either. He’s made similar moves in North Texas and now has his eyes on a ranch in New Braunfels. He ended his statement with “So anybody that has big Texas ranches for sale, contact me,” using the chance to look for any potential client willing to make a deal with him in his new venture. Well, Shaq is clearly chasing new dreams. His business game may face setbacks, but he never stops playing. Whether in digital space or on Texas soil, he’s always ready for the next big move.

Shaquille O’Neal’s sweetest business play yet

Shaquille O’Neal has never been afraid to put his body on the line. During his NBA days, that meant bruises and back pain. Now, it means sugar and sleep machines. After stepping away from the court, Shaq dove straight into the candy game: specifically, a gummy brand that’s already made millions. It’s an odd match for someone trying to stay healthy, but Shaq isn’t doing anything halfway.

In partnership with Hershey, he launched Shaq-a-licious gummies. These candies didn’t just carry his name: they literally look like him. Shaped like his head, bold in flavor, and instantly popular, the gummies hit shelves and vanished just as fast. “They allow me to be a part of the process. Of course, I didn’t make the candies, but I was in there with the chemist,” he shared on The Big Podcast. The Lakers legend didn’t just sign off; he taste-tested “like a million” versions until it felt right.

But behind the sweet success is a serious story. Shaq was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, a dangerous condition that almost went unnoticed. In his GQ interview, he revealed, “They give you those certain words: ‘Hey man, you got sleep apnea… so you could die.’” That warning shook him.

It was like a bucket of cold water being poured all over him. As a result, he turned his lifestyle around and even dropped nearly 55 pounds! Now, he walks a tightrope between indulgence and discipline. His love for gummies is real: he grew up eating them in Germany. But so is his need for health.