Shaquille O’Neal reportedly ‘hiding inside of his home’ to avoid being served crypto lawsuit
Shaquille O’Neal is reportedly trying to avoid an FTX crypto lawsuit by hiding in his house. The former NBA player is one of many athletes who have promoted the crypto exchange that went bankrupt in late 2022.
O'Neal could face serious consequences for being associated with the exchange. However, it appears that the case against the four-time NBA champion will take a while to move forward as he's reportedly avoiding lawyers. There have been multiple efforts to serve him, but to no avail.
According to Forbes, Shaquille O’Neal has made himself inaccessible to being served with a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed last November by Edwin Garrison, an investor who claims that he found out about the exchange because of its celebrity endorsers.
“We have spent great efforts trying to get you all served with our Complaint,” Garrison’s lawyers wrote in an email to defendants. “Only one, however, has chosen to evade service, in order to draw out these proceedings, or to otherwise attempt to avoid answering for these allegations.”
Neither O'Neal nor his spokesperson has commented on the situation.
The FTX hired multiple NBA players to promote the crypto exchange in 2022. The company also received naming rights to the Miami Heat's arena back in March 2021. This deal alone cost the company $135 million.
O'Neal is one of the many high-profile celebrities who were named in the class-action suit against FTX endorsers. A couple of other prominent figures, including Steph Curry and Tom Brady, were also affiliated with the crypto exchange.
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O'Neal's affiliation with the crypto exchange
The Los Angeles Lakers legend is one of the most popular celebrities affiliated with FTX. He appeared in marketing promos for the crypto exchange, including commercials.
O'Neal's carnival event was called "Shaq’s Fun House Los Angeles Presented by FTX" and was sponsored by the exchange.
Shaquille O’Neal also promoted the cryptocurrency exchange on his Twitter profile and was named a brand ambassador for the company.
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Considering that millions of people have been exposed to FTX thanks to O'Neal, it's no surprise that he was named in the lawsuit. However, it may take a while before he faces any consequences.