Back in 2022, Authentic Brands Group (ABG)—where Shaquille O’Neal has a stake—released a notice of objection against the pending trademark application filed by Shaqir (represented by Mine O Mine LLC). ABG believed that the father and son’s names were confusingly similar and hence, the two teams that represented the O’Neal men tried to sort it out. But this did affect Shaq and his relationship with his son.

The notice by ABG mentioned that the consumers could get confused and assume that goods and services offered under the ‘SHAQIR O’NEAL’ were connected to ABG. All this was two years ago. There is a new update on this issue.

As per LaDawn Jones, a former Georgia State Representative, and experienced attorney, “The original trademark registration that was in dispute it has since been abandoned. An abandoned trademark registration application basically means that the person who was applying, they just gave up. but since then, additional new registrations for Shaqir O’Neal have been filed for the same goods and services as the original trademark registration.”

“We can presume that the parties came to some type of agreement because if you’re disputing one trademark for a reason and someone goes to apply simply for the exact same trademark a little while later, you’re still going to oppose it. And in the new trademark applications that are also now pending, Shaq signed a consent for the minor to use his name as a trademark.”

After two years of legal proceedings, Shaqir O’Neal might be free to pursue his own trademark. However, it is important to note that the application is still pending and no official reports are available regarding the same.

But what about Shaquille’s connection to ABG, where he holds a significant stake? Well, his initial decision to join the company stemmed from his desire to solidify his legacy.

The curious case of Shaquille O’Neal and ABG!

In 2015, Shaquille O’Neal came to an agreement with ABG, and in 2021, became the second-largest individual shareholder. Even Jamie Salter, founder, chairman, and CEO of Authentic, was puzzled by Shaq’s decision. “He says, ‘I’m doing a deal with you to sell you 50% of everything I have going on for the rest of my life. Do you think I trust you?’ And I said, ‘I hope so.’ He says, ‘Why wouldn’t I be partners with you? We’re going to build this company together.’ And that’s how he became the second-largest shareholder of ABG.”

The next year, they made their biggest acquisition when the company acquired Reebok from Adidas at a reported value of $2.46 billion.

But it all started because Shaquille O’Neal was curious how legends still have their presence, even when they passed away. “And I was walking down the street one day and looking at these Elvis cups and Elvis key chains and Marilyn Monroe, and I said to myself, ‘How are these people still making money for their families?’ They’re not even around.”

Later, he reached out to multiple companies and ABG stood out. That’s why once Shaq even happily asked a rhetorical question. “Who owns Marilyn Monroe? Who owns Elvis Presley? Me!” The rights of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jackson are owned by ABG.

Just like the Shaquille O’Neal trademark, the company also owns the trademark of the mentioned legendary people. Now they have the potential to give the green light to his son to own his separate trademark and leave his legacy behind.