Friday, May 15, 2026

Shaq Says He’ll Coach the Lakers for $25M Per Year

  • The NBA legend, TNT analyst, and businessman said he’d need a four-year deal to coach his former team.
  • The average annual salary would make him only the 10th-highest-paid coach in the NBA.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has done just about everything off the court — he’s been a broadcaster, DJ, actor, and businessman.

One of the few things he hasn’t attempted is coaching an NBA team — but the Big Diesel might consider the possibility for a hefty price. 

On “The Big Podcast With Shaq,” he said he would coach the Lakers if they offered him $25 million per year for four years.

If the Lakers did offer Shaq, he wouldn’t even be the league’s highest-paid coach. 

A salary of $6.3 million per year would make him just the 10th-highest-paid coach in the Association. Gregg Popovich ($11M), Doc Rivers ($10M), and Steve Nash ($8.7M) top the list.

Still, with a net worth of $400 million, money isn’t an issue for Shaq — but fixing the dismal Lakers could be tempting.

Perhaps the jokester should actually consider a coaching career after the TNT crew put lotion in his smoothie.

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

May 13, 2006; Washington, D.C, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Comets at Washington Mystics -- Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes brings the ball up court.

Houston WNBA Team Expects to Keep Comets Name

The Connecticut Sun will move to Houston in 2027.
Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
opinion

Why the NBA Should Hire Daryl Morey to Be Its Theo Epstein

The 76ers fired Morey earlier this week.

Silver Says He Could Further Punish Tanking Teams in New Lottery

“We can actually take away draft lottery balls.”
TNT Sports

WBD Leans Further Into Sports With Paramount Deal Looming

The TNT Sports parent company pushes ahead with its own programming plans.

Featured Today

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.

NBA Player Brandon Clarke Dies at 29

Clarke died on Monday in Southern California, authorities say.
Aug 2, 2024; Nanterre, France; Benjamin Proud (Great Britain), Cameron McEvoy (Australia) and Florent Manaudou (France) in the men’s 50-meter freestyle medal ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena.
May 11, 2026

The Enhanced Games Want to Be More Than a Steroid Olympics

“There’s a benefit for anyone to live enhanced.”
May 12, 2026

Another Summer of LeBron Is Here

James is not under contract for next season.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Trick Williams Front Office Sports
May 9, 2026

WWE’s Next Big Star Could Be Ex-NFL Hopeful Trick Williams

The former South Carolina wideout is now WWE’s U.S. champion.
May 6, 2026

Napheesa Collier Admits Engelbert Rant Was For CBA Leverage

The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a new labor deal in March.
May 6, 2026

U.S. Open Falls Behind Masters in Prize Money: ‘It’s Not a Race’

The Masters increased its purse to $22.5 million this year.
Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium.
May 5, 2026

Sabalenka, Gauff Suggest Grand Slam Boycott Over Prize Money Share

“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament,” Sabalenka said.