Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Shaquille O'Neal
Public opinion and media debates around Shaquille O'Neal—discover key moments of controversy.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, or Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7-foot-1-inch and weighing 325 pounds, he played center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and centers in history.
1994: Disdain for Biological Father
In 1994, O'Neal voiced his disdain for Joe Toney in his rap album, Shaq Fu: The Return, in the song "Biological Didn't Bother".
December 17, 1996: Shoving Dennis Rodman
On December 17, 1996, Shaquille O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls, leading to a confrontation that was diffused by other players.
November 10, 1999: Ejection from game against Houston Rockets
On November 10, 1999, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley were ejected from a game against the Houston Rockets after O'Neal shoved Barkley, who retaliated by throwing the ball at O'Neal.
1999: Anger Over Being Overlooked for 1999 FIBA AmeriCup Squad
Shaquille O'Neal was angered by being overlooked for the 1999 FIBA AmeriCup squad, calling it a "lack of respect".
2000: Fined for Crossing Picket Line
During the 2000 Screen Actors Guild strike, O'Neal was fined by the union for performing in a commercial for Disney, crossing the picket line.
January 2002: On-court brawl against the Chicago Bulls
In January 2002, O'Neal was involved in an on-court brawl during a game against the Chicago Bulls, leading to a suspension and fine.
2002: Comments on Sacramento Kings
During the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings, O'Neal accused Vlade Divac of flopping to draw fouls.
2002: Comments Fueling Lakers-Kings Rivalry
In 2002, Shaquille O'Neal's humorous and sometimes incendiary comments escalated the Los Angeles Lakers' rivalry with the Sacramento Kings, whom O'Neal frequently called the "Queens". During the 2002 victory parade, O'Neal declared that Sacramento would never be the capital of California after the Lakers defeated the Kings.
2004: Contract Extension Demands and Feud with Kobe Bryant
At the beginning of the 2003-04 season, O'Neal sought a contract extension with a pay raise, leading to increased tension and a public feud with Kobe Bryant.
2004: Loss in NBA Finals and Trade Demand
In 2004, the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. Following the series, O'Neal demanded a trade due to disagreements with team management and perceived favoritism towards Kobe Bryant.
2005: Playoff Quip at Erick Dampier
During the 2005 NBA playoffs, O'Neal compared his poor performance to Erick Dampier's scoreless game, inspiring many references by announcers during those playoffs.
2005: Jabs at Kobe Bryant
In the summer of 2005, Shaquille O'Neal made jabs at his former Laker teammate, Kobe Bryant, pretending not to know who Bryant was.
2006: Shaquille O'Neal's Opinion on Flopping
In a 2006 interview with TIME, O'Neal stated his disapproval of flopping, expressing that players should win by skill rather than faking fouls and trying to get calls from the referees.
2006: Knee injury and comments on Phil Jackson
In the 2006-07 season, O'Neal missed 35 games due to a left knee injury. He also referred to Phil Jackson as "Benedict Arnold" after Jackson made comments about O'Neal's work ethic.
June 2008: Revocation of Deputyship
In June 2008, the Bedford County, Virginia, and Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff departments revoked O'Neal's special deputyship after a video surfaced of him rapping about Kobe Bryant and using racial slurs.
June 22, 2008: Diss Rap About Kobe Bryant
On June 22, 2008, O'Neal freestyled a diss rap about Kobe Bryant, blaming him for his divorce and mocking his inability to win a championship without him, leading to controversy and the revocation of his special deputyship in some counties.
March 3, 2009: Matchup Against Dwight Howard
On March 3, 2009, in a game against Orlando, O'Neal was outscored by Dwight Howard. O'Neal also flopped during the game, which caused disagreement with Stan Van Gundy.
July 2017: Diss Track Aimed at LaVar Ball
In July 2017, O'Neal released a diss track aimed at LaVar Ball, the father of NBA point guard Lonzo Ball, in response to Ball's claims about beating O'Neal in basketball.
2021: Becomes a Spokesperson for FTX
In 2021, Shaquille O'Neal became a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange.
February 2022: U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on Bitconnect Lawsuit
In February 2022, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a lawsuit against Bitconnect that the Securities Act of 1933 extends to targeted solicitation using social media.
November 2022: FTX Files for Bankruptcy
In November 2022, FTX, for which Shaquille O'Neal was a spokesperson, filed for bankruptcy, leading to lawsuits against O'Neal and other celebrity endorsers for promoting unregistered securities.
