Shaq has changed his stance from “We ain’t rich. I’m rich.” The guy who told his kids they can’t touch ‘Daddy’s cheese’ is handing out the gouda and brie per kid. So far, Myles is boosting the DJ Diesel persona, Taahirah has put her marketing expertise into Big Chicken, and Shareef has jumped from the Reebok ship to the SHAQ brand. Shaquille O’Neal is turning his $500 million empire into a family legacy, and he’s not done. He’s put his eldest daughter in charge of a very beloved dream.

After weeks of hints, Taahirah O’Neal revealed, “Big news 💙 — I’ve officially joined the Board of The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation!” 

We can’t say we didn’t see it coming. Shaq’s previous stipulation to his six kids was “three degrees.” It’s a big point of personal pride for him that his daughter graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Politics and African American studies from Oglethorpe. She’s leveraged her expertise in marketing for Pepsi and Big Chicken, among other brands.

While Big Chicken is now managed by the industry experts at Craveworthy Brands, the 29-year-old has pivoted to her dad’s most personal project. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is building a youth athletic facility in Las Vegas for the Boys & Girls Club, a $24 million venture involving the local government and multiple sports franchises. While O’Neal flies around managing his multi-million dollar empire, he’s left his daughter in charge of his most precious project.

Taahirah’s Instagram post also confirmed this wasn’t sudden. She’s been involved in this project since the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2025. “These past few months, the Board and I have been busy behind the scenes — planning, dreaming, and laying the groundwork for what’s to come.”

The former Houston resident moved to Atlanta to be closer to her dad and often accompanied him to TNT broadcasts and The Big Podcast recordings. She ran promotional events at Big Chicken long before her move but has lately taken a backseat. Joining her dad’s charity foundation and handling its most significant project is her biggest responsibility to date.

Shaquille O’Neal passed the torch to Taahirah

The Shaquille O’Neal Youth Development Complex is under construction in the northeast Las Vegas valley and is expected to be completed by 2026. It’s expected to give hundreds of kids from grades K-12 and beyond accessibility to athletic facilities, including basketball, football, combat sports, and more.

For Shaquille O’Neal, who developed his basketball skills at the Boys & Girls Club, giving back to the organisation was a lifelong dream. Which makes it more special for his daughter, who wrote, “Visiting the future Shaquille O’Neal Youth Development Complex in Las Vegas was one of those surreal, full-circle moments. Standing on the ground where thousands of kids will one day play, learn, and thrive was such a beautiful reminder of why we do this work.”

Taahirah joined her dad and others at the foundation for the formal groundbreaking ceremony in June. She’s shared several updates since then before making this announcement. She’s also grateful to the Las Vegas Raiders and the UFC, who donated towards a UFC gym and a football field within the 30,000 sq ft. ‘Shaq Youth Complex.’

The eldest O’Neal kid also revealed formerly unknown details of the complex. It will include mental wellness rooms, an early learning center, tech labs, and “And the first-ever Communities In Schools Alumni Center in the country!” Each of these facilities ties into the Big Aristotle’s thoughtful investments in the tech and education fields.

Every aspect clearly reflects her dad. Taahirah reiterates, “I’m so proud to help carry my father’s legacy forward while also building my own path in service.” She declares, “Let’s build. 🏗️💙” Shaq’s legacy is definitely in safe hands.