By: Emily Ao

Shaq can be seen everywhere. No matter where you go, he appears in the form of ads or even restaurants. Or maybe you have seen him on television, doing more advertising for everyday products like air fryers and cereal. Shaq claims his title as both a businessman and an athlete and says he has “always been a businessman who is athletic.”

Many athletes have had successful careers after retiring, but none have made history as much as Shaq. Even after he quit athletics, he continues to advertise sports products and has his own soon-to-be fast-food chain, Big Chicken. Natash Brison, a professor at Texas A&M who specializes in athlete branding, says that Shaq is raising standards and breaking barriers when it comes to being a retired athlete.

Over the years, O’Neal has owned many franchises, such as 40 24-Hour Fitness Gyms, at least one Krispy Kreme donut shop, and 17 Auntie Anne’s pretzel stands. His soon-to-be Big Chicken fast-food chain will have 18 locations across the United States. Along with that, he has appeared in advertisements for Google, Pepsi, JC Penny, and Frosted Flakes. He’s also released self-branded products like Soda Shaq, with the help of Macy’s and Arizona Beverage Company partnerships.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Shaq was linked to a suspicious product back in 2011, a wristband that supposedly improved athletic performance. Although it was proved to be a fraud that did not improve stamina, the case was dismissed by officials. For his part, O’Neal claims that “People know I’m very, very honest — I have nothing to hide.”

In general, Shaq doesn’t get tangled in controversy. This “makes him safe and reliable for corporations,” sports marketing experts say. Many believe that they can rely on and trust him, according to stats and polls. The public’s fondness for Shaq is part of what makes him so successful in the business field.

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