Can U Dig It? A Basketball Hall of Famer with larger-than-life personality, Shaquille O’Neal has reached a multi-year extension with Turner Sports that will expand the scope of his responsibilities throughout the WarnerMedia portfolio. In true Shaq fashion, following is a breakdown of some of the skills he’ll display as part of the new deal.
The Big Analytical
A 15-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA Champion, O’Neal will continue in his role as studio analyst for TNT’s Sports Emmy Award winning Inside the NBA, along with the NBA on TNT Tuesday Night franchise.
He’ll also appear on NBA TV and contribute to NBA.com. His NBA TV airtime will include a new show in development on “The Business of Basketball,” with more details to be announced at a later date.
NEWS: The Big Renewal: @SHAQ and Turner Sports Reach Multi-Year Extension. https://t.co/oQDiA4jWjf pic.twitter.com/Omssc3D29s
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) August 24, 2020
He’s…“Shaqtin-a-Fool”
O’Neal will expand the ever-popular Shaqtin-a-Fool franchise to include new genres and platforms to reach an even broader set of passionate fans.
DJ Diesel
When he’s not in a mosh pit, he’s mixing tracks and audiences will be able to see him as part of the CNN New Year’s Eve Live show in the years to come. Past DJ Diesel appearances have included him bumpin’ everything from large festivals like Tomorrowland to more intimate venues around the globe.
Shaq-Antino
O’Neal will serve as an executive producer for a number of projects with Turner Sports’ Bleacher Report. O’Neal and B/R will create new content that will combine his voice and the brand’s ability to fuse experiences hitting the intersection of sports and culture. O’Neal has also reached a development deal with WarnerMedia entertainment networks as part of the new portfolio-wide agreement.
Audio Shaq
O’Neal’s popular podcast will be distributed through the WarnerMedia Podcast Network beginning early next year.
Shaq Fu Coming to AEW?
Could Shaq return to the ring, making a cameo at a future All Elite Wrestling (AEW) event on TNT? We shall see….
“Turner Sports is family to me – even you, Chuck – and I’m looking forward to working alongside my talented colleagues as we create many more Shaq-tastic moments in the years to come,” said O’Neal.
“Shaq is so critical to our success, and such a huge part of the heart and soul of our coverage,” said Jeff Zucker, Chairman, WarnerMedia News and Sports. “We are lucky to be able to have him as part of our family every single day, and I am personally so thrilled to see that continue for a long time to come.”
“Shaquille’s tenacity as a player and loyal teammate made him one of the best to ever do it on the court, and those skills have translated to his contributions as a broadcaster,” said Tara August, Senior Vice President of Talent Services & Special Projects, Turner Sports. “His fun, infectious personality is engaging, entertaining and beloved by fans. We’re thrilled to extend and deepen our relationship with him for many years to come.”
More About Superman
O’Neal joined Turner Sports in 2011, appearing as a studio analyst for TNT’s critically acclaimed Inside the NBA show. His contributions have extended across a number of platforms, including additional shows and segments airing on TNT and NBA TV. He hosted the NBA Awards on TNT in 2019.
Prior to joining Turner Sports, O’Neal enjoyed a 19-year NBA career after being drafted first overall in 1992. A three-time NBA Finals MVP, he won four NBA Championships (three with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat), was a 15-time NBA All-Star and ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In September 2016, O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Editor’s note from Charles: Shaq currently has more endorsement deals than we can list in this release.
# # #
About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, a division of WarnerMedia, is an industry leader in the delivery of premium sports content across all platforms, widely recognized for its long-standing partnerships with the NBA, Major League Baseball and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. The Turner Sports portfolio includes two of the hottest digital destinations for young sports fans in Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, along with the B/R Live streaming platform and ELEAGUE, a leading gaming and esports entertainment brand. Turner Sports co-manages NBA Digital – comprised of NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE Pass, the NBA App and NBAGLEAGUE.com – as well as NCAA.com and the NCAA March Madness Live suite of products.
