Shaquille O'Neal reveals being perplexed at his father's reaction while cutting a lucrative deal: "$10 million for four years”
Shaquille O'Neal has long been an active businessman and media personality, even as a player.
One of Shaq's oldest endorsements came when Reebok signed Shaq and released O'Neal's signature shoe, "Shaq Attaq."
In an interview with Esquire, O'Neal recalled when his father had a less than ideal reaction to a Reebok executive pitching O'Neal a deal worth $10 million:
"So, the guy came in and said, 'Reebok' — like, with my first Reebok (signature shoe). The guy came in and he looked at us, grabbed a piece of paper, and he said, "$10 million for four years. Sign it right now. Don't even look at it.
"My father’s like, 'Motherf***er, you think we stupid?' I had to grab my father, like, "Aye man, you can't come into meetings acting like you going to mess the deal up. I got it. 'I'm going to go back to the hotel, big man.' We didn't have any problems ever since."
And of course, @SHAQ thought back on what it meant to be so dominant. "I'll be the first to tell you: it was boring...Who am I getting in shape for? Tim Duncan? I don't motherfuckin’ think so. David Robinson? Patrick Ewing? Nope. Don't fuckin’ need to." esquire.com/sports/a422191…
Shaquille O'Neal's father had a great influence early in his career and was crucial in O'Neal becoming the most dominant player in league history.
Shaquille O'Neal's career in retrospect and the influence of his father
O'Neal has often talked about his father, Philip A. Harrison, being a massive influence in his life. He has often quoted Harrison telling a young O'Neal that he will make Shaq the most dominant player of all-time.
Harrison was more than successful in doing so. Not only did O'Neal become the most dominant player in NBA history, he is widely considered to be one of the 10 best players to have ever played.
It is noteworthy that Harrison was not O'Neal's biological father, but rather, an adoptive parent. Shaq has said that while Harrison was not his real father, he doesn't believe in such things and has always perceived him to be his real father.
O'Neal often tells a story that has led to some of the most ferocious dunks the NBA has ever seen.
A young O'Neal was reprimanded by Harrison for playing a more toned-down version of basketball. And O'Neal has said that when he dunks, it was the ire at his father that usually led to him wanting to tear the rim down.
Shaquille O'Neal retired as a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 MVP, 15-time All-Star and 14-time All-NBA honoree. O'Neal's No. 34 was retired by the LA Lakers in 2013 and No. 32 by the Miami Heat in 2016.