On the Earn Your Leisure podcast in 2021, Shaquille O'Neal shared a parenting philosophy that's equal parts tough love and humor.
Even with a net worth of $500 million, Shaq isn't handing out Teslas to his kids on a whim. His rule? They have to earn it. "We ain't rich, I'm rich," he famously told them, making it clear they need to work for what they want – especially his sons. He admits the girls get a bit of a pass, but his sons? They're expected to build their paths to success, with multiple degrees and all.
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This philosophy came into play one Christmas when Shaq's son brought home straight A's. Impressed, Shaq said, "Go pick what you want." His son shot his shot and came back with a Tesla request. Shaq's response? Pure gold: "You ain't getting no m***** f****** Tesla! You better take yo' a** across the street to the Chargers. Better get you a Charger. A V-6 at that." The kid didn't get the Tesla, but he got the message: dream big, but stay grounded.
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Shaq's stance on Teslas isn't just about keeping his kids humble. The 7'1" basketball legend has joked about Tesla's lack of space. In the past, he publicly called out Elon Musk, saying the sleek electric cars aren't made for someone his size.
But here's the kicker – Shaq now owns three Cybertrucks. And not just any Cybertrucks. Each one is customized to the max. He's got a black wrap, 26-inch rims, red underlighting and wide carbon-fiber flares on his rides. Musk even commented, "Nice," when Shaq shared his decked-out trucks online.
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Shaq calls his latest model a "Cyberbeast" and claims it's the cleanest Cybertruck in the country. His reason for owning three? Pure convenience – he didn't want to bother shipping one from Las Vegas to Atlanta, so he just picked up another.
In Shaq's world, a Cybertruck collection might be practical, but his kids getting luxury without effort? Not happening. The Charger may not have been his son's first choice, but for Shaq, it's a lesson that means more than the car itself.
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