Saturday, June 13, 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

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

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rain and Rants Take Over UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference

Weather and bizarre taunts disrupted the long-planned event. 

USMNT Gets Dream World Cup Opener in Los Angeles

The opener was as electric and decisive as the U.S. hoped.

Trump Administration Signs Off on Paramount-WBD Merger

The DOJ blessed the highly controversial pact Friday. 

NiJaree Canady Signs AUSL Deal After Brief Holdout

Canady missed her team’s two opening games.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

Mickelson’s Future In Golf Even Murkier After Latest Incident

The golfer has been kicked out of a California country club.
June 11, 2026

Wimbledon Increases Purse by 20%, Remains Short of Player Demands

Players are seeking 22% of revenue at Grand Slams by 2030.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to his score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena
June 12, 2026

Tatum Leaves Door Open for St. Louis WNBA Expansion Bid

The Celtics star wouldn’t comment directly, but also didn’t deny his involvement.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
June 11, 2026

New Chiefs Stadium Will Star Mahomes Under Reworked Contract

The star quarterback is set to play at least three years in the new venue.
June 11, 2026

Canady Seeking ‘Fair and Equitable Contract’ in AUSL Holdout

Canady is taking a big pay cut from her Texas Tech deal.
June 9, 2026

Josh Allen Tops NFLPA’s Top-50 Player Sales List

Saquon Barkley previously held the top spot. 
June 8, 2026

Serena Williams’s GLP-1 Ads Will Air During Her Return to Tennis

Williams is returning to competitive tennis for the first time since 2022.