Shaquille O’Neal’s focus is in Sacramento. So he sent his best person to take care of things in Vegas. ‘Things’ is not necessarily the Big Chicken business, Fantasy Labs, and other assorted Shaq establishments in the entertainment capital. O’Neal is building a massive youth facility with the help of his friends across the sports and entertainment business. About four months since Shaq was present for the ground breaking (literally and figuratively) event, his daughter arrived to see how things are going.

Shaq’s eldest of six, Taahirah O’Neal, is usually between Texas and Atlanta. This time she donned her Shaquille O’Neal Foundation hard hat and safety jacket for an important assignment in Vegas. She personally supervised the ongoing construction of her Dad’s youth facility in the Eastside of the city. And she had some cool updates to share.

“Had to opportunity to visit the @shaqfoundation Youth Complex site today! I can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve been working on,” She shared on her Stories with her special hard hat. (She had to comment “*the 😂😭” to correct her little typo.)

She proceeded to share a clip of the site near the intersection of East Lake Mead and North Lamb boulevards in east Las Vegas and the crew with some extra details of what’s coming. “This youth complex will feature a football field from the Las Vegas Raiders, a boxing and MMA gym from the UFC and youth support services from the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada ✨Truly one of one.”

The youth complex started as a $16 million project before growing to a $24 million undertaking. It’s expected to help hundreds of young athletes. The Clark County Commission unanimously greenlit Shaq’s project in February.
The project features a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse containing gyms, mental wellness rooms, technology and innovation labs and an early childhood learning center, as well as a 54,000-square-foot outdoor multisports field. It’s not just basketball. The Las Vegas Raiders and UFC also donated to construct facilities here.

As long as Taahirah keeps operations on track for her dad, they should be able to meet their timeline for a late 2026 opening. With his best ‘guy’ on the job, Shaq can turn his focus elsewhere. Specifically, Taahirah’s little brother.

Shaquille O’Neal has commitments in Sacramento

The youth facility is part of the big guy’s big dream. Shaquille O’Neal got his basketball training at The Boys & Girls Club growing up. As a $500 million rich NBA legend, he’s always given back to the organization. His mother pushed him to build this facility to show his gratitude. It means enough for him to have his firstborn oversee its progress.
Meanwhile he’s preparing for his duties as a General Manager. After his youngest son, Shaqir O’Neal transferred to Sacramento State, the 4x NBA champion was named honorary GM. And he’s already got a rivalry brewing.

While running the operations at the University of New Orleans, No Limits mogul Master P issued a challenge to Big Diesel. He wanted a battle of celebrity-run teams – his alma mater, UNO versus Shaq’s Sac State. “You tell Master P,” O’Neal responded, “when we do this game, if we’re allowed to put a little wager on it, I’ll put whatever.”

Sac State and UNO already have their schedules locked and weren’t going to officially clash this NCAA season. But something outside the NCAA purview was possible with their approval. With O’Neal and Master P, nothing was impossible.

Sacramento State and New Orleans will have a scrimmage on October 18. New Orleans will host the Hornets at the Lakefront Arena for what is being dubbed the ‘Southwest Shootout.’

“We want to show how coming together as a community can open doors and create possibilities,” Master P said. “This is bigger than basketball; we are empowering the next generation.”

The game ahead of the official NCAA season in November will help new Hornets head coach, Mike Bibby assess his team and recalibrate. He’ll have to do it through all the glam and excitement. According to reports, the audience will be star-studded. Two NBA stars and a rap icon will draw NFL, NHL, and NBA pros among other celebrities.

More importantly, The Hope Foundation that has been uplifting inner city youth in NOLA for years will help around 4,000 middle school students enjoy this game. Clearly Master P aligns with Shaq’s drive to help kids.

For regular folks, tickets for this game are now on sale. O’Neal’s got to split duties between Inside the NBA’s debut on ESPN, deejaying everywhere, his gazillion businesses, and his youth facility in Vegas. Taahirah has a handle on at least one job. So Shaq is sure to be at Shaqir and Sac State’s scrimmage.