Thursday December 7, 2023

Shaq’s Investment Wins

Alkaline/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Shaquille O’Neal is joining Alkaline Water Co. as an equity partner, becoming the company’s largest shareholder as it attempts to turn around recent losses — the stock is down 62% since July.

O’Neal will join the board of advisers and receive roughly 7 million common shares — 5% to 6% — of the company over a three-year period.

The announcement comes just two months after the Hall of Famer co-founded Majority, an ad agency focused on diversity, and follows a string of other investments.

“Seventy-five percent of all athletes go broke two years after they’re playing,” he told Vanity Fair last year. “People said, ‘You gotta invest, you gotta know what you’re investing in.’”

O’Neal made an early investment in Google before it went public in 2004. He has also invested in Apple, Twitter, Uber, Lyft, Ring, and PepsiCo — among many others. Other highlights on his resume:

  • A SPAC he advises took fitness brand Beachbody public in a $3 billion merger.
  • A minority stake in the Sacramento Kings.
  • O’Neal also owns several franchises between Papa John’s and Auntie Anne’s, and once owned 155 Five Guys restaurants but sold his stake.

The four-time NBA champion has endorsed dozens of companies too, from IcyHot to Buick.

Shaq’s total earnings across his ventures aren’t clear, and the basketball star-turned-businessman intends to keep it that way. “My mother would be disappointed if I talk about numbers,” he’s said.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA in Vegas? LeBron and RedBird Are All In

RedBird Capital Partners, Fenway Sports Group working with NBA superstar.

The Most Talked-about Part of the NBA Tourney? Look Down

Floors generate widespread rebuke for both design and safety.
NLL Seals Las Vegas

Meaningful NBA Games Finally Hit Las Vegas. Expect More

End of NBA In-Season Tournament is latest major event to hit sports boomtown.

NBA Viewers Like the In-Season Tourney. What About Broadcasters?

The NBA In-Season Tournament could attract new media partners.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the NBA May Have Made Billions With Midseason Tournament

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
Jon Rahm tees off on the 15th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship in Rochester, New York.

Report: Jon Rahm Set to Join LIV Golf

Rahm could get the richest LIV Golf contract yet.
December 2, 2023

Ohtani's Future Deal Takes Center Stage As Winter Meetings Kick Off

The two-way phenom is expected to sign the largest-ever player contract in U.S. team sports.
December 4, 2023

Are Tiger Woods and Nike Splitting Up? The Move Would Change Golf

A new report suggests a move could be brewing.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Shaquille O'Neal
exclusive
December 1, 2023

A.I. Shaq? Authentic Files Trademarks Hinting at Virtual Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal and licensing group claim “ASK SHAQ” and “SHAQ A.I.”
November 30, 2023

Tracking Devices and Bags of Cash: A Soccer Scandal in Turkey

Former Atletico Madrid player Arda Turan is involved in the scandal.
November 30, 2023

Ronaldo Sued For $1B In Latest Fallout From Athlete Crypto Deals

Soccer superstar latest to be hit in legal fallout from crypto decline.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands celebrates his victory of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 30, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid Formula 1 Drivers For 2023

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen tops the list with $70 million.