Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Papa John’s Makes Shaq Rich(er)

  • Shaq’s shares of Papa John’s are worth more than $7 million after the company reported a 27% increase in same store sales.
  • Other ventures in Shaq’s portfolio include Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, car washes and tech company investments.
Shaq business
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

More than a year ago, Papa John’s paid Shaquille O’Neal $4.1M and gave him 90,000 shares of stock to endorse the brand, become a board member, and own nine stores as a franchisee. The pizza company recently reported a same-store sales jump of almost 27%, making Shaq’s stock holding alone worth $7M, according to Darren Rovell. 

If his The General Car Insurance commercials are any indication, Shaq is everywhere and Papa John’s is just a portion of his retirement portfolio. The TNT analyst, who made $300M during his playing career, is raking in cash through dozens of investments. 

Some of his more notable holdings, according to Money: 

  • 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels franchises
  • 40 24-Hour Fitness gyms
  • 150 car washes
  • 155 Five Guys locations – though he has since sold them
  • A Big Chicken restaurant in Las Vegas
  • Early stakes in Google and Apple
  • Early investor in Ring, which sold to Amazon for $1B
  • Sacramento Kings minority ownership

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mike Tomlin Knows Coaching Talk Is ‘Going to Come Up’ Soon

The ex-Steelers coach is “enjoying” his NBC Sports role.
Dianna Russini BetUS

Russini’s Return Hits 45-Minute Delay, Sidesteps Vrabel Scandal

Russini did joke about memes that have been made about her.
Nov 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NBC Plays Up Tatum-Brown Rivalry With Netflix-Style Open

Tatum’s Celtics and Brown’s Sixers will meet three more times this season.
Nov 8, 2026; Madrid, ESP; A general overall view of the 2026 NFL Madrid Game at an empty Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL Network’s Europe Games Average a Record 6.9M in First ESPN Season

NFL Network games this season also stream on the ESPN app.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/11/26 – 24-Team CFP Fallout, Brees Eyes ‘MNF,’ Sportsbooks Get Crushed

0:00

Featured Today

West Wind Mahjong

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.
November 6, 2026

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 10, 2026 Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during the second set of her semi final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka

WTA Takes Responsibility for Livestream of Pegula’s Hot Mic

Jessica Pegula called Mirra Andreeva a “diva” during a livestreamed practice.
Oct 10, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit:
October 30, 2026

Dylan Larkin’s Trade Demand Comes With a $41K Daily Price Tag

Larkin is playing an expensive waiting game, holding out for a trade.
November 4, 2026

Is the Lamar Jackson Era Over in Baltimore?

Jackson’s contract situation hangs over the franchise.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
October 30, 2026

Pro Marathoners Grapple With the Sport’s Pervasive Doping Problem

Pros and coaches tell FOS the ripple effects last for years.
October 28, 2026

Golf and Tennis See Big Gains in Youth Sports Participation

Youth participation in flag football also keeps growing.
October 28, 2026

Saquon Barkley Opposes 18-Game NFL Season: ‘Hell of a Sport’

The Eagles RB cited player health.
Exclusive
October 28, 2026

NFL Told Saquon Barkley to Divest Polymarket Stake

“I was in it before, but no bueno,” Barkley told FOS.