Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Magic Johnson’s Advice To Shaquille O’Neal That Helped Him Build A $400 Million Business Empire: “Big Fella, You Don’t Want To Be Just A Name.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Magic Johnson’s Advice To Shaquille O’Neal That Helped Him Build A $400 Million Business Empire: “Big Fella, You Don’t Want To Be Just A Name.”

Magic Johnson’s Advice To Shaquille O’Neal That Helped Him Build A $400 Million Business Empire: “Big Fella, You Don’t Want To Be Just A Name.”

Magic Johnson gave Shaquille O'Neal some advice that helped him kickstart his business empire.

Divij Kulkarni
Oct 23, 2022
3 Min Read
Share

Shaquille O’Neal has enjoyed a complex and layered relationship with Magic Johnson throughout the years. When he was younger, he tried to imitate the Lakers legend, which earned him some smacks from his father. Later in life, when Shaq got to Los Angeles, he bristled at the retired Johnson’s advice, convinced that the Lakers were his team and that Magic’s time had ended. 

But a young Shaquille O’Neal was mostly focused on basketball. He had spoken time and again about how the criticism of the greats that had gone before him motivated him to become one of the league’s most dominant players. He was spending his massive salary without thinking much about it as a youngster, so it’s intriguing to think about what a savvy businessman he has become later in life. 

And what makes it even better is to know that Magic Johnson was the man who got O’Neal started on the path to entrepreneurial success. Writing in his book Shaq Uncut, O’Neal recounted the tale of how some advice from Magic Johnson when he was a young Laker changed the game for him. 

“I had just won MVP, and he said to me, ‘Big fella, you don’t want to be just a name. You want to own things.’ Then he walked away. I’m driving home and I’m wondering the whole time, What was he talking about? And then I realized what he meant. So we got to work on my own shoe. Then my own clothing line. Then my own reality show. Thanks, Magic. Another idea I incorporated into my own unique Shaq style.”

This is the sort of thing every successful young athlete needs to hear. And while Magic’s advice then helped Shaq, he would go on to beat Shaq to some elite business deals in the future. 


Magic Johnson Took The Opportunity To Invest In Starbucks That Shaquille O’Neal Missed

Considering that Shaq has grown his businesses to the point where he is worth $400 million, it’s safe to say that Magic’s advice was extremely valuable. However, one of the big man’s admitted biggest regrets is not investing in Starbucks, which his former mentor in this space capitalized on. 

“My biggest mistake was not investing in Starbucks. I had the opportunity before Magic Johnson but I told Howard Schultz that black people don’t drink coffee because I never seen anyone in my family drink coffee.”

Magic Johnson went on to make a significant return based on his belief in Starbucks and the money he invested in them. It’s odd to think that the Lakers legends are now competing with one another on the same front, but Shaquille O’Neal will likely always be grateful to Magic for his advice. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Shaquille O'Neal
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByDivij Kulkarni
Follow:
Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article NBA Fans React To Nikola Jokic’s Unbelievable Cross-Court Bounce Pass To KCP: ”Y’all See The Heat”
Next Article Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report Against The Portland Trail Blazers: Two Players Out Of The Game, Anthony Davis And Troy Brown Jr. Are Probable
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025
JJ Redick
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Reveals Major Flaw In JJ Redick’s Coaching

October 3, 2025
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Austin Reaves Recalls Luka Doncic’s First Game Back In Dallas After Blockbuster Trade

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?