Shaquille O’Neal is known for being one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, but he's also built a reputation as a smart and savvy business owner off the court.
However, it wasn't always easy for Shaq to get that respect. The disrespect he encountered in business meetings pushed him to return to school and earn a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA). And, in true Shaq style, he didn't just do it alone – he paid for 15 of his friends to get their Masters alongside him.
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During an interview, Shaq opened up about his frustrations. He noticed that people wouldn’t take him seriously when he walked into business meetings. "I'd go into a meeting and they'd say, ‘Hello Shaq, how are you doing?'" O'Neal said. “And then they would turn away and look at my lawyers, accountants and all those guys.” He realized they didn't think he understood business or the terms they were using.
That experience lit a fire under him. Shaq decided he wouldn't just sit back and be treated like a clueless athlete. So, he went to the University of Phoenix and got his MBA. The program was mostly online, but Shaq wanted a real classroom experience.
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The school told him they couldn't set up an in-person class for just one person – so Shaq paid for 15 of his friends to join him. That's right, he covered the tuition for 15 of his closest friends so they could all earn their Master's degrees together.
But Shaq didn't stop there after getting his Master's – he went even further and earned a Ph.D. in Education from Barry University. He did it because his mom pointed out that no one in their family had a doctorate. “So, I’m like, I could be the first out of all the O’Neals to be a doctor? Okay, I’ll be back,” Shaq recalled.
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It took him five years to complete while juggling his busy career, but Shaq wanted to show his kids the importance of education and that you can keep learning no matter where you are. Now, he's proud to be called "Dr. O'Neal" at times and it's a huge source of pride for his family.
Shaq, whose wealth is estimated to be around $500 million, isn't just going to hand that fortune over to his children. He's made it clear that they'll have to earn their share. His expectations are high – he wants each of his kids to get not just one but two college degrees before they can see any of his money.
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