Shaquille O’Neal has built an empire by taking advice from NBA legends and making it his own.

While Michael Jordan has long been the gold standard for athlete-entrepreneurs, Shaq recently managed to outmaneuver His Airness in a high-stakes investment.

How Shaq took a page from MJ’s playbook

Recently, Jordan joined Courtside Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on sports, gaming, and media, during its fourth funding round.

But by then, Shaquille O’Neal was already in the game, having invested during the third round.

Courtside Ventures, known for its $200 million portfolio, had attracted stars like NFL great Larry Fitzgerald and NHL player Jacob Trouba.

Shaq was quick to spot the opportunity, ensuring his seat at the table before Jordan even joined.

O’Neal has credited his business success to guidance from NBA icons.

“The way we set up the business, Magic left it to Mike, Mike left it to me, I left it to Kobe, D-Wade, LeBron,” he explained on The Big Podcast with Baron Davis.

Magic Johnson, in particular, shaped Shaq’s mindset early in his career, famously advising him, “It’s okay to be famous, but you better start owning things.”

This advice drove Shaq’s early moves, like investing in Reebok instead of Nike and securing a personal logo, the Dunkman.

It also led him to diversify into franchises such as Krispy Kreme, Papa John’s, and 24 Hour Fitness, alongside his fast-casual dining venture, Big Chicken.

While Jordan focused on building the iconic Jordan Brand, Shaq leveraged endorsements and entertainment to widen his reach, appearing in commercials and using his platform to mentor young people financially.

Despite past regrets, like passing on Starbucks, Shaq has consistently adapted.

His investment in Courtside Ventures not only reflects this agility but also cements his status as one of the most forward-thinking NBA legends in business.

By blending Magic Johnson’s philosophy and Michael Jordan’s strategies, Shaq proves he’s as dominant off the court as he was on it.