Shaquille O’Neal is one of the biggest figures for the NBA over the last three decades. During his 19 year National Basketball Association career, O’Neal won four NBA Championships and played for six teams. Earning nearly $300 million during his career, O’Neal has turned to investing in companies and a position as an NBA commentator to keep his fortune growing.

Authentic Brands Group, which manages Shaq's name and likeness, counts O'Neal as a shareholder and is eyeing plans to go public, which could add to the list of stocks that O'Neal owns. 

Here are some publicly traded companies that have ties to Shaquille O’Neal.

Papa John’s: O’Neal owns franchises of several private-owned companies like Auntie Anne’s, fitness centers and car wash units. O’Neal also once owned 155 Five Guy locations before selling them.

One of O’Neal’s most well-known investments might be Papa John International Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA), a company that he owns stock in, as well as owns franchised restaurants and serves on the board of directors.

The company has utilized O’Neal as a brand ambassador in commercials, named a limited-time pizza — the Shaq-a-Roni —  after him and listened to his marketing ideas.

Many people have seen the commercials and likely associate O’Neal with the brand, which is something the cruise line is leaning heavily on in 2021. The company launched a mini CFO version of Shaq to highlight the company’s selection of shorter itineraries.

“Cruising is the best vacation around and Team Carnival is hard at work getting ready to sail again when the time is right. And my new pint-sized sidekick is the perfect way to let everyone know all the fun they can have on a Carnival cruise,” O’Neal said.

“He is involved in every aspect of this production,” Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward told Benzinga.

NFL player Rob Gronkowski was recently named a co-executive producer on the show and will voice a character known as “Gronkmobile” on the show.

“When you look at Shaq, you always think, ‘There’s a happy guy.’ Right? I mean, there’s no ifs and or buts about it. His personality is perfect for the brand,” Alkaline Water CEO Ricky Wright told Benzinga.

O’Neal joins Alkaline Water as a member of the board of advisors and is an investor in the company.

Alkaline Water reported first-quarter sales of $14.1 million and hit its 33rrd straight quarter of record quarterly comparable sales.

“Fiscal 2022 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the Alkaline Water Company. All the hard work and execution over the last eight years is coming to fruition and I believe that Alkaline88 will be a household name this fiscal year,” Wright said.

The company highlighted the O’Neal news during its quarterly earnings saying sales are up significantly in the second quarter thanks to new marketing campaigns. The company launched the “Shaq Paq” in the second quarter, a six-pack of two liters meant to target clubs, big box and other retailers.

Wynn Interactive has live operations in six U.S. states and market access to 15 states.

WynnBet announced earlier this month it added Shaquille O’Neal as the company’s brand ambassador and will serve as a strategic consultant

“Mobile sports betting is having a major moment and I believe that WynnBet will be a powerful force in the industry,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal will be featured in television, digital and print advertising. A new free-to-play game called “ShaqPot” will also be hosted on the WynnBet app.

Later, O’Neal starred in several commercials for Ring which increased the brand awareness and valuation of the company.

Without O’Neal perhaps a different company would have acquired Ring or it wouldn’t have ever gotten bought out.

O’Neal has credited Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with influencing his philosophy of investing in things that change others’ lives. O’Neal said it helped him improve his net worth.

“Shaq is so critical to our success and such a huge part of the heart and soul of our coverage,” WarnerMedia Chairman Jeff Zucker said.

Disclosure: Author is long shares GNUS.

Photo: Army.mil, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons