Shaquille O’Neal Net Worth: How Rich Has Shaq Been in Every Decade? (2024)

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most iconic personalities in the sports industry today. However, he was previously known for his dominance on the floor between 1992 and 2011. Shaq was an unguardable force when he competed and his opponents were fairly scared to play against him. This man was known for shattering backboards and intimidating opponents with size and agility. Eventually, age caught up to him and Shaq left the sport.

The Hall of Famer played for multiple teams through 19 seasons. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the No.1 overall pick in 1992. He nearly led them to a title in 1995. But a season later, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers to play alongside Kobe Bryant. Their partnership led to three championships and multiple individual accolades for Shaq.

O’Neal played for the Lakers between 1996 and 2004 before leaving them to sign with the Miami Heat. There, he joined forces with Dwyane Wade and helped them through the 2006 NBA Finals. Their partnership ended in 2008 after which Shaq proceeded to play for the Phoenix Suns (1.5 seasons), Cleveland Cavaliers (1 season), and the Boston Celtics (1 season).

Ultimately, Shaquille O’Neal went down in history as arguably the greatest center ever. He averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while earning spots amongst the top ten leaders in points and blocks. Now, based on his achievements and work, he is one of the richest NBA players around with a net worth above $400 million. So let’s take a look into how much he was worth through the decades.

1970s

Shaquille O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, and he was the eldest of four siblings. He was born to Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. His father was also a basketball player, earning himself a scholarship to play for Seton Hall. However, Toney chose a path of drugs, and his addiction ended up leading him to prison.

Eventually, Toney gave up his parental rights to Sergeant Phillip Arthur Harrison after being released. Harrison raised Shaq along with Lucille while the family migrated from the US to Germany. After returning to the States, they settled in San Antonio, Texas, where Shaq eventually discovered his passion for basketball. Back then, Harrison and Lucille did whatever they could to maintain the household.

1980s

Shaquille O’Neal made a name for himself in high school, playing for Robert G. Cole High School. During this time, Shaq led his high school to an incredible 68-1 record over two years. He set a state record of accumulating 791 rebounds during the 1989 season.

Shaq showed a lot of passion and determination to become great. He tried his best to emulate the game of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was his idol at the time. However, high school athletes did not have access to NIL deals that exist today.

1990s

It was between 1989 and 1992 that Shaquille O’Neal laid the groundwork for his future. The NBA legend committed to Louisiana State University and participated alongside the Tigers. His step-father had ties with coach Dale Brown, whom he met during his years in Germany.

In LSU, Shaq was a very dominant performer already. He was named a 2x All-American, 2x SEC Player of the Year, and won the Adolph Rupp Trophy while being named the NCAA Basketball Player of the Year in 1991. However, he chose to declare for the NBA Draft in 1992, a year before he was scheduled to graduate. He became the No.1 overall pick and landed his first contract.

This contract was reportedly worth $3 million and it was a one-year deal that lasted through his rookie year. After proving himself and becoming the 1993 Rookie of the Year, Shaq was granted an extension bringing his worth up to $17.4 million by 1995. However, besides making money from basketball, Shaq also landed a $10 million three-album music deal in 1993.

With a net worth now soaring over $27 million, Shaquille concluded his stint with the Magic. He was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and they offered him a seven-year $120 million contract. Shaq was set to be paid an average of $17.1 million each season, which was worth as much as the first deal entirely.

2000s (Shaquille O’Neal becomes a 3x NBA Champion)

Shaquille O’Neal’s seven-year deal with the Lakers lasted until 2002. By this time, Shaq and his teammate Kobe Bryant had become 3x NBA Champions. O’Neal also earned himself multiple individual accolades and his worth in the league only increased every day. In 2002, the Lakers decided to sign him to an extension. They offered him an $88.5 million three-deal but unfortunately, the team broke up in 2004.

Shaq went on to finish the final season of that deal with the Miami Heat. In 2005, the Heat offered him a $101 million five-year deal. O’Neal’s net worth was not well over the $100 million mark. Considering the amount of taxes he would have had to pay, Shaq possibly earned half of what was given to him during his career in the NBA.

The Big Diesel was traded from the Heat to the Phoenix Suns. Within a season and a half, Shaq was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers where is fulfilled the remaining season left on the five-year deal. Then he ended up signing a two-year $2.7 million deal which included a player option with the Celtics. He played in Boston for one season before retiring from the sport in 2011.

2010s

Shaquille O’Neal claimed that his net worth quadrupled after he retired from the NBA. He was one of the biggest earners in the league while earning a total of $286.3 million through 19 seasons. Amidst all of this, Shaquille also had a couple of endorsem*nts which earned him a couple of million extra over the years.

Throughout his career, Shaq made multiple investments in various companies such as Apple and Google. He once said, “I heard Jeff Bezos say one time [that] he makes his investments based on if it’s going to change people’s lives. Once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I’m worth.”

In 2011, shortly after retiring, he signed a $100 million contract with TNT. Right now, he stands as one of the faces of the network starring alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. TNT helped Shaq achieve a net worth of $300 million during the 2010s. But this wasn’t the only thing that fed his massive income.

2020s

These days, Shaquille O’Neal boasts about being one of the richest NBA stars in the world. Even though people would think of it as self-centered, O’Neal actually does a lot for his community on the side. He also helps out random strangers at Walmart or Best Buy as well.

The NBA 75th Anniversary Team inductee proudly claims that he is the owner of 50 brands across the US. Shaq has investments in multiple companies including Papa John’s, several 24 Hour Fitness Gyms, Krispy Kreme, Lyft, Forever 21, JC Penney, and car washes.

Shaquille O’Neal was never always the smartest spender. A quarter of his first paycheck was blown away when he purchased three cars for himself and his parents. However, he eventually learned to save up as he also did not have much growing up. Shaq also currently owns properties across various states he has lived in as well. This has all contributed to his $400 million net worth.