NBA Legend Shaq Dropped $1 Million on 3 Rolls-Royces He Doesn't Drive After a Salesman Asked, 'Can You Even Afford Them?'

Shaquille O'Neal isn't just a basketball legend; he's a larger-than-life figure with a reputation for generosity that sometimes veers into the extravagant. Whether he's surprising strangers by covering their shopping bills or gifting jaw-dropping presents, Shaq keeps fans entertained on and off the court.

He's candid about his journey, including the lessons learned after making his first millions. One moment of recklessness he recounts is his experience with the FICA tax, which hit him hard in the wallet. On a 2022 episode of Drink Champs, he reflected on the reality of those big paychecks. "You get used to spending," he added, "but the first word you need to understand is FICA."

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When Shaq signed a $120 million contract, his first check was supposed to be around $20 million. But when it arrived, it was cut down to about $10.9 million after taxes. "I didn't realize that," he admitted. With visions of wealth dancing in his head, he bought a $5 million house. But that was just the beginning of his spending spree.

One day, dressed in his Lakers sweats and feeling "like a bum," he decided to visit a luxury car showroom. "I like to spend money, but I don't like to waste money," Shaq explained. He didn't want to spend $400,000 on a car. So, naturally, he asked the salesperson the prices. "Hey man, how much is that one? Nah. How much is this one?" Finally, the old guy says, "Yo man, you asked about all these cars, can you even afford them?" 

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That pushed him over the edge. "What the f**k you just said to me?" he shot back, feeling insulted and offended. Instead of walking away, he proved he could afford multiple $400,000 cars. "I'll take that one, that one and that one," he said, pointing to three Rolls-Royces. "And I want them dropped off and move the seat back. So I got three Rolls-Royces that I never drive," he said. 

Although he may not drive his own Rolls-Royces, Shaq has been a longtime fan of the iconic luxury vehicle. He once gifted LeBron James a $450,000 Rolls-Royce for his 25th birthday. 

Despite his big spending, Shaq values hard work and wants his kids to understand it too. He's famously said, "To get my cheese, you gotta present me with two degrees." Rather than raising pro athletes, Shaq hopes for doctors and lawyers. "I want them to be model citizens. I want them to be very educated and I want them to understand nepotism – respectable nepotism," he shared in a 2023 interview with Us Weekly.

Those Rolls-Royces might sit unused, but for Shaq, it's not about the cars; it's about knowing how far he's come – and maybe about proving a point to a judgmental salesperson. With a net worth of over $500 million, Shaq knows he can afford a little extravagance.

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