Shaquille O’Neal is a household name in the NBA world, but few know about his life off the court. The former basketball star has always been known for his entertaining personality, and one of his most memorable stories involves a late-night shopping spree at Walmart.
When Shaq moved from Miami to Phoenix, he arrived at his new apartment empty-handed. Not one to wait, he decided to fix the situation immediately by buying everything he needed – sheets, towels, laptops, printers, T-shirts, underwear, and more – at 2 or 3 in the morning. The total came out to $70,000, which Shaq jokingly claims is the “biggest purchase in Walmart history.”
However, when he went to pay, his credit card was declined twice. Confused, Shaq decided to leave and figure it out later. Later that day, he received a call from American Express security, who thought someone had stolen his card because of the suspicious $70,000 charge at Walmart. When Shaq explained the situation, they couldn’t believe it. The representative asked, “Why are you spending $70,000 at Walmart?” Shaq’s response? “Because I’m Shaq.”
This isn’t the only instance where Shaq has shown his cleverness when it comes to investments. He invested in Ring, a home security company that was later acquired by Amazon for $1 billion. Shaq bought a DIY solution and installed the system himself, realizing its potential after monitoring his home from China.
Shaq’s fortune is estimated to be around $500 million, which he plans to pass down to his children – but only if they work hard enough to earn it themselves. He expects them to have not one, but two college degrees.
This story highlights Shaq’s entertaining personality and smart investment strategies.
Source: https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40817545/i-know-im-not-broke-shaquille-oneals-card-was-declined-at-walmart-after-attempting-the-biggest-p