October 11th 2023.
Shaquille O'Neal, Hall of Famer and five-time NBA champion, is making moves to own an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. The Messenger has reported on O'Neal's ambitions to make an even bigger imprint in the city he's called home for two decades.
At his annual charity gala for The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, O'Neal expressed his fondness of Las Vegas. “I’ve been living here for over 20 years,” he said. “I love it here. Vegas has always been a city that's growing; you can see the different casinos, real estate projects, and nightclubs popping up. I’ve been a part of it since then. I used to own one of the hottest nightclubs, sold it, and now I have 9-10 restaurants. I’m doing really well and want to keep growing with Vegas.”
The NBA holds its annual Summer League in Las Vegas, and the WNBA's reigning champion Las Vegas Aces have made a big impact, with players like A’Ja Wilson and Candace Parker. Though the league is yet to announce plans to bring one of the country's biggest sports to one of the country's most notable tourist attractions, big names like LeBron James have expressed interest in owning a franchise.
However, O'Neal has different plans. “I would like to have my own group,” O'Neal said. “If Vegas ever gets awarded a team, I want to be a part of it. I don’t want to partner up with anyone. I want it all for myself.”
It will be interesting to see how O'Neal's bid progresses and if it succeeds. Should the bid be successful, it will be yet another milestone for one of the greatest athletes of all time.
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