When Mark Walter, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, bought a 27% stake in the Lakers back in 2021, the deal came with a key clause: first right of refusal if the Buss family ever chose to sell. That clause came into effect this year, as Jeanie Buss and her siblings agreed to transfer majority control in a whopping $10 billion sale— the largest in American sports history. But for many Lakers legends, including Shaquille O’Neal, this change hits close to home.

Because Jerry Buss didn’t just sign stars, he’d put unusual trust in them. That trust was clear when he handed Magic Johnson the keys to the franchise in 1980, right after drafting him at age 20. And yet, once the reports of the transfer of majority ownership surfaced, Magic took to X to congratulate Jeanie Buss on the “job well done”, saying that the sale “makes all the sense in the world”. He even labeled the moment a proud one for her. 

Shaquille O’Neal, though, had the kind of response you wouldn’t hear in a press conference or boardroom. And on the latest episode of The Big Podcast, he made sure to point it out—directly to Jeanie Buss, who remains the Lakers’ governor with a roughly 15% stake.

“You know, I’m a little upset, right?” Shaq said, breaking into laughter. “The Lakers got sold for 10 billion and I ain’t get no douly. I ain’t get no brand new Escalade. I ain’t get nothing though.” It was classic O’Neal—mock disappointment delivered with a smirk, but the underlying point wasn’t as random.

The big Aristotle’s tenure with the Lakers overlapped with one of the franchise’s most lucrative transformations. From 2000 to 2002, the team went 45–13 in the playoffs and won three consecutive titles, with Shaq claiming Finals MVP honors each time. Those years didn’t just bring wins—they reshaped how the Lakers were perceived around the world. Staples Center became a courtside spectacle. Merchandise sales spiked. Broadcast reach expanded. And at the center of it all was a 7’1″ force who continued to average a double-double over eight seasons in Los Angeles.

“It was Magic, me, then Kobe. Like, can I get something? I mean, can I get it? Can I get a check for like, you know, 50 million something?” There’s an order in how he listed those names. Magic Johnson turned the Lakers into a Hollywood phenomenon. Shaq reignited them two decades later, taking the franchise’s on-court dominance and commercial presence to another level. Kobe’s era, with its five All-Star appearances and indelible moments, only added to that cumulative brand worth. And while Magic once held a 4–4.5% stake before selling it back in 2010, Shaq never did, despite being one of the central figures who pushed the team’s market value toward ten digits. And it’s not even the only time that Buss’ decision has left Shaq hurt.

Shaquille O’Neal’s response after Jeanie Buss left her out of an important list

The Lakers organization has seen a host of superstars over the years. From Magic and Kareem to Kobe and Shaq, and LeBron James. Luka Doncic could be on that path, too, if he brings a championship to the franchise. But back in 2021, when it came to selecting the five most influential people in Lakers’ history, Shaq’s name was a miss. Buss revealed her selection on the All the Smoke podcast. A list that had Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, LeBron James, and Phil Jackson.

But the response from Shaquille O’Neal was a mature one. “I love Jeanie Buss. I have never, would never say anything negative about Jeanie Buss. Look, I’m not mad about that. Listen, she’s Jeanie Buss, that’s her opinion. You ask other people, the names will vary.” No drama from the franchise legend. Even Buss made a clarification soon making sure the Lakers Nation too understood the situation.

“Well maybe if you made more of your free throws….just kidding 😉Big Diesel @shaq if the list was only players, of course you’re top 5! You know I ❤️ you and your family!! Please don’t kick me off the board of The Shaquille O’Neal Foudation!!☹️” This was her reply on X, with a photo of Shaquille O’Neal. This signified that there is no love lost between the two.