‘We ain’t rich. I’m rich.’ Find Out Why This Was Shaq’s Message To His Kids About Money
Shaquille O'Neal dominated the NBA for 19 seasons. During that time, he won four championships and amassed millions.
Today, Shaq earns millions endorsing nearly everything, and his children get no handouts from him.
The $400 Million Dollar Man
As of 2022, Shaquille O'Neal is 50 years old and has six children.
O'Neal has a Net Worth of $400 million and believes he, not his children, has earned that money.
"We ain't rich. I'm rich."
O'Neal has earned the ire of his children after he famously said, "We ain't rich. I'm rich."
O'Neal is attempting to teach his kids the value of earning money.
Shaq Was MVP, Not Father of the Year
Shaq was very successful during his NBA playing days.
O'Neal was a 15x NBA All-Star, an NBA MVP, and won two NBA scoring titles and three NBA Finals MVP awards. That's not even including his four championship rings!
Shaq the Emmy Award-Winner
After his time in the NBA, Shaq began co-hosting the Emmy Award-winning show "Inside The NBA." He also endorses shoes, pizza, computer printers, insurance, and many other products.
Needless to say, Shaq will not go broke.
Let's Add Hall of Fame To Shaq's Accomplishments
The retired NBA Legend is a 2016 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
Shaq's on-court success came fairly easily, but off-court he had to work hard for everything he accomplished.
Shaq the Man, the Myth, and Legend
Despite O'Neal's likeness and signature being on seemingly everything, he wants to send a very different message.
The loveable TV star wants to be known for his kindness off camera.
"Can I Rock? What's Up Doc?"
Basketball allowed Shaq the opportunities for his many other ventures, something he wants his kids to understand.
For example, Shaq released a rap album in 1993 that eventually would go platinum.
Officer O'Neal
By becoming a deputy sheriff, Shaq wanted to make a difference and teach his kids something valuable.
O'Neal wanted to show his children that life was about more than money.
Shakespeare Had Nothing On Shaq
Another of Shaq's outside interests was acting. O'Neal has appeared in numerous movies and commercials.
Shaq refuses to sit around collecting paychecks and expects the same from his children.
Shaquille O'Neal, Heavyweight Champion of The World
Every day of Shaq's life was an example or life lesson for his children.
Shaq wrestled and trained in MMA for fun, showing his kids how he capitalized on being famous.
Business Ventures and Endorsements
Shaq is everywhere. Shaq invested in many of the companies he did commercial spots for.
O'Neal owns 9 Papa John's pizza locations and also is featured in some commercials.
It's a Hard Knock Life
Shaq's children are used to his life lessons and harbor no actual resentment for his tight purse strings.
Shaq refuses to let his kids use his name to gain their success.
Shaq and "The Terminator" Have More Than Muscles In Common
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a similar approach to Shaq's with how he handles his wealth and children.
Schwarzenegger financially supported his son, now a doctor, until he graduated from medical school.
Be All That You Can Be
What O'Neal wants of his children is no different from parents who make fractions less.
Shaq wants his children to pursue professional careers and someone to take over his businesses.
A Lawyer, Doctor, or Whatever, Shaq Wanted His Kids To Earn Things
One child could study law or medicine while earning and banking their own income; Shaq did not care.
All that O'Neal wished for was that his kids earn things themselves.
007 or Double O'Neal
Daniel Craig, of "James Bond (007)" fame, takes how Shaq and Schwarzenegger deal with their children and finances to the extreme.
Craig believes leaving children an inheritance is "quite distasteful."
O'Neal Came From Humble Beginnings
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, was financially challenging for Shaq and his parents.
"I came from nothing," Shaq said. O'Neal refuses to equate his wealth with his success.
"I've Never Been That Way And I Never Will Be That Way"
To Shaq, being rich and famous does not make him better or smarter than other people.
O'Neal said, "...just because I have more money doesn't mean I'm better than you."
The Apple Falls From A Big Shaq-Tree
O'Neal has four children from one marriage, a stepson and a daughter with an ex-girlfriend.
Son Shareef is a college basketball star and is projected to go to the NBA.
Shaq's Math: A+ = Any Car You Want Son
Shareef achieved straight A's in school, for which Shaq promised him any car he wanted.
After Shareef called Shaq from a Mercedes-Benz dealership, Shaq recommended he go elsewhere. When he said, "any car," he didn't mean the top of the line!
Dr. Shaquille O'Neal
Not doing well in school was a deal-breaker for Shaq.
When one son got a D on a research paper because he could not find the information, O'Neal got angry, telling him he had to figure it out and get his grades up.
Figure It Out
"You've got Google. You got Bing." Shaq admitted to telling him.
"When I was your age, I had to go to a neighbor's house and buy an encyclopedia."
Shaq Did Not Want To Be Another Athlete Stereotype
Without a good education, Shaq wanted his kids to know that having money meant nothing.
Shaq did not want to be like other famous ex-athletes that went broke after retirement.
"Boom, boom, boom, bring it to me"
True, many of Shaq's philanthropic and business opportunities arose from his fame.
What O'Neal wants are his kids to present real business ideas, as he did when seeking financial investors.
"Get Three Degrees To Touch Some of My Cheese"
"Get three degrees to touch some of my cheese," Shaq humorously uttered in a TV interview.
O'Neal's children were expected to graduate and seek financial aid only for business purposes.
Shaq Had More Than Money To Give
Demanding and expecting excellence in education from his children is not a reflection of Shaq's generosity.
O'Neal bought an engagement ring on layaway for a young man who was "hardworking."
Shaq Made Everyone Happy, Except His Kids
How easily Shaq gives his time and dollars to strangers and businesses rather than his kids frustrates them a whole lot.
Every day Shaq leaves the house with the goal of making others happy.
My Money Didn't Grow On Trees
"... if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you're going to have to present it...I'm not giving you nothing."
Nothing except basketball came easy for O'Neal, and he wants his kids to see that things have to be worked for and earned.
The World Is Yours
O'Neal believes he would be a genius if he had access to the information his children have today.
"The world is at our fingertips," O'Neal wants all kids to realize.
Momma Knows Best
Insisting on higher learning came from Shaq's upbringing, and was not him being mean.
O'Neal left L.S.U. after three years but fulfilled a promise to his Mom, graduating in 2000.