Friday, June 19, 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

Exclusive

White House Visit in the Works for Viral World Cup Fan

Nick Adams tells FOS he’s inviting “Freddy” to the White House.

U.S. Open Tees Off With Smaller Crowds, but Plenty of Traffic

Total daily crowds will not surpass 30,000 fans this week.

Two-Time U.S. Open Champ: LIV Players Welcome on Champions Tour

Retief Goosen said he “would love” to see LIV players return.
Jun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; A New York Knicks Champions bus passes during the New York Knicks Championship Parade through the Canyon of Heroes.

Knicks Get Key to NYC in Front of Huge Crowds

The city deployed 10,000 police officers to the one-mile parade route.

Featured Today

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

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.
Landon Donovan discusses the state of youth soccer with Front Office Sports.

Landon Donovan Sounds Alarm on Youth Soccer Culture

Donovan believes an early emphasis on winning has harmed youth soccer.
Brendan Sorsby runs with the ball during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
June 16, 2026

Sorsby Brings Unprecedented Intrigue to NFL Supplemental Draft

No players other than Sorsby have entered the supplemental draft.
June 16, 2026

MLB Warns Giants Pitchers Over Writing on Pride Caps

The Giants celebrated Pride Night on Friday.
Sponsored

Midge Purce Sounds Off on the Trinity Rodman Rule

Midge Purce discusses the Rodman Rule and the future of NWSL.
June 16, 2026

Serena and Venus Williams Will Play Wimbledon Doubles

Williams made her return to doubles action earlier this month.
June 12, 2026

NiJaree Canady Signs AUSL Deal After Brief Holdout

Canady missed her team’s two opening games.
June 12, 2026

Mickelson’s Future In Golf Even Murkier After Latest Incident

The golfer has been kicked out of a California country club.
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.