Shaq got Elon Musk's attention by buying three Cybertrucks but his love for the Tesla EVs didn't last long
Published on Feb 05, 2026 at 5:06 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Feb 06, 2026 at 5:33 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Shaq was once on the Tesla CEO’s radar when he bought three Cybertrucks, but his association with the EVs didn’t last all that long.
The former basketball star is renowned for his love of cars, and Teslas were heavily featured in his car line-up.
But he ended up parting ways with them.
And the reason he gave may surprise you.
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Shaq generated a lot of headlines when he bought multiple Cybertrucks…so why did he sell them?
When you think of Shaquille O’Neal, several things will come to mind – his height and his sports career will likely be front of your mind.
But his car collection is also renowned.
After all, this is the man who dropped seven figures on cars in a single day.
His collection is a who’s who of car brands from Rolls-Royce to Lucid Air, and even a ‘Frankenstein Ferrari’.
With more than 40 cars to choose from, Shaq admitted that he treats them ‘like his girlfriends’ when it comes to selecting a daily driver.
If that’s the case, why did he ‘dump’ the Cybertrucks?
Talking on a recent episode of his podcast, The Big Podcast with Shaq, the athlete-turned-commentator made his feelings known.
He said: “I was into Cybertrucks, but they don’t give enough charge mileage.
“Then I just got one of those IQ system Escalades.
“Today I was in Vegas, I ain’t have to charge up for four days.
“My Cybertruck here, if I go downtown to work tonight and come back, I’m gonna be struggling to get back.”
We’re sure Tesla’s CEO will be disappointed – he was quick to respond when he caught sight of Shaq’s customized Cybertruck.
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A fellow athlete was now enjoying one of the Cybertrucks
Brooklyn Nets’ Trendon Warford is the new owner of one of Shaq’s Cybertrucks.
The 25-year-old basketballer had wanted to get himself a Cybertruck for a while.
And it was his lucky day as Shaq was looking to get rid of his.
It’s not the first time the 53-year-old has sold off cars from his illustrious collection, as he sold 10 of his custom models last year.
With how vast his collection is, he’s not like he’ll be left without options if a few change hands.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
