Shaq Makes His 6 Kids Pitch A Business Plan If They Want Cash — 'You Want Me To Be The Bank, I'm Gonna Do Exactly What The Bank Is Going To Do'

Shaquille O'Neal didn't build a $500 million fortune by handing out free money, and he's making sure his kids don't expect one, either. The four-time NBA champion turned business mogul believes in "respectable nepotism"—a system where his children don't get a dime unless they prove they deserve it.

No trust fund freebies. No blank checks. Just business proposals, due diligence, and a solid plan—because in Shaq's world, you don't just ask for money; you earn it.

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"If you want money, you better have a business plan," Shaq told Business Insider in 2023. "You want me to be the bank? I'm gonna do exactly what the bank does."

According to the man who famously tells his kids, "We ain't rich, I'm rich," getting money from him isn't as simple as asking. If they want funding, they need to come with a pitch, revenue projections, and a solid plan—because "Dad" isn't handing over his hard-earned cash. 

Shaq's Kids Are Learning the Hard Way

As of March, Shaq's six kids range from 18 to 28 years old, and while some have already put in the work, others are still figuring it out.

At 27, Myles wanted to be a DJ. Instead of just handing him money, Shaq made him present a business plan, just like he would with any investment. Once Myles proved he was serious, Shaq helped him get the necessary equipment—but from there, Myles built his own career. Now, he's headlining shows across the U.S., touring, and even held a residency at Wynn Las Vegas.

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Shaq's eldest daughter, Taahirah, 28, skipped the entertainment industry and built a corporate career, while Shareef, 25, pursued basketball, playing for UCLA, LSU, and now the NBA G League.

Then there's Amirah, 23, and Me'arah,18—still in school and yet to pitch a big idea, but Shaq has a different plan for them. He explains he wants his daughter to attend law school. 

He's always emphasized education, telling Logan Paul in a 2022 podcast that his motto for his kids is, "In order to touch daddy's cheese, you gotta have three degrees."

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A Lesson from Jeff Bezos

Shaq didn't always think this way. His investment mindset changed after listening to Jeff Bezos, who once said that he only invests in businesses that will change people's lives. Shaq took that advice and ran with it—shifting from short-term deals to long-term, high-impact investments.

"I heard Jeff Bezos say one time [that] he makes his investments based on if it's going to change people's lives," Shaq told The Wall Street Journal in 2019. That shift quadrupled his net worth, and now, he's applying the same thinking to his kids—if they want an investment, they need to show impact.

No Free Rides in the O'Neal Household

Unlike many celebrity kids who inherit millions without lifting a finger, Shaq's children are learning real-world economics the hard way.

They're free to pursue DJing, corporate careers, basketball, or even law school—but they're not getting a check just for showing up.

And if they think they can just ask for money and skip the business plan?

They better get used to hearing "Next!"

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