Shaquille O’Neal goes back on Tesla promise with purchase
- Shaquille O’Neal has a lot of money to spend on cars
- But he made a promise regarding Teslas
- A recent purchase may have broken his pledge
Published on Sep 26, 2024 at 6:53 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 26, 2024 at 6:53 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Shaquille O’Neal has gone back on his word after purchasing a new Tesla Cybertruck.
The basketball player is known for his love of cars, despite struggling to fit into many of them.
But Shaq previously promised that he was going to cut back on his spending.
This didn’t go to plan, it’s fair to say.
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Shaquille O’Neal’s Tesla promise
A few months ago, the 52-year-old did an interview on the podcast of restauranteur and influencer Shawn P. Walchef.
Speaking of his definition of success, Shaq said: “I’m at the point in my life I don’t do anything for monetary rewards.
“Can’t buy another car, can’t buy another boat, can’t buy no more jewelry, can’t buy no more cars even though I just bought a new Tesla. I can’t. I’m done.”
Cut forward a few weeks and Shaq would have a new Cybertruck in his possession.
In fairness to him, it’s a gorgeous customized Cybertruck which would be hard for anyone to pass up.
The NBA legend made the order over FaceTime to Effortless Motors, who wrapped Shaq’s purchase in a black wrap and added red headlights.
An impulse purchase gets the best of all of us sometimes, and celebrities are no different.
Hell, Shaq himself bought three cars just because a salesman ticked him off.
How does Shaq view money and success?
This comes after Shaq said he’s completed a decade long life mission.
Growing up, he saw his mom sacrifice a lot to raise her four kids, and he wanted to pay her back.
With $500 million in the bank, the pro athlete has a lot to go around.
When he first got his 9-figure contract with the LA Lakers, he blew a lot of money on cars and jewelry.
After taxes, he didn’t have a lot left.
As a more mature man, he’s grounded himself: “I like to see people happy, I like to see people happy.”
He used his wealth to help his mom return to school and finish her education.
It’s a touching gesture from a child to their parent.
Oftentimes such sentiments of gratitude are shown through cars – like this man who reunited his dad with a car years after it’d been stolen.
