Shaq’s Expensive Divorce Could Have Cost Him Millions More
In 1996, Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. There, the NBA legend met his then-girlfriend, Shaunie. The couple married in 2002 in a private ceremony in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Accusations of infidelity tore the couple apart. In 2011, they went through a costly divorce — and the details will make you cringe.
Shaquille O’Neal’s net worth
O’Neal has an estimated net worth of $400 million. Now retired, he makes more money off the court than he did playing basketball. The 7-foot-1 giant earned $292 million in salaries from his 19 seasons in the NBA.
Shaq continues to bring in $60 million a year in endorsement deals and investments. He is a firm believer in endorsements and represents companies like American General Insurance, Papa John’s Pizza, Gold Bond, Icy Hot, and many many more.
In addition to promoting products, according to NBC Sports, “He is the joint owner of 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants, 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels restaurants, 150 car washes, 40 24-hour fitness centers, a shopping center, a movie theater, and several Las Vegas nightclubs.”
How much did Shaq’s divorce cost him?
O’Neal had a prenuptial agreement, reports Bombist, so when the couple divorced, most of his assets were protected. In his biography, Shaq Uncut: My Story, the NBA Hall of Famer revealed he and his now ex-wife agreed upon a costly private settlement. He continues to pay $10,000 per month in alimony and an additional $10,000 per month for each of his four children.
Why Shaq’s wife wanted to file divorce papers in California
The divorce was finalized in 2011, reports Clutch Points, the same year O’Neal retired from playing in the NBA. Since he was playing for the Miami Heat when the proceedings began in 2007, the divorce was handled in the state of Florida.
Prior to filing, his ex-wife moved to California where the law requires married couples must split all assets 50/50. California courts refused to hear issues related to property division and spousal support, saying Florida retained in the jurisdiction, reports ESPN. Since the children resided with her in Los Angeles, the California family courts agreed to handle issues relating to child custody.
If the California courts oversaw the divorce proceedings, one half of Shaq’s massive fortune would have gone to his wife. Perhaps, this is why it took so long to finalize the divorce and come to an amicable agreement. After that experience, it appears O’Neal has no desire to get back into a marriage anytime soon.
Is Shaq in a relationship now?
O’Neal has been connected to many different women since the divorce was finalized. His ex-wife went on to produce and star in the VH-1 reality drama, Basketball Wives. O’Neal has been connected to Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, and it was rumored that he was engaged to model, Laticia Rolle, reports Distractify.
In 2019, it appeared he was dating Chicago Fire actress, Annie Ilonzeh, but neither one of them have confirmed they are in a current relationship. In an AOL interview, O’Neal was asked about how he handles dating. O’Neal replied, “I don’t use Instagram or any of the dating sites since people don’t believe it’s me. I used to be Shaqanova a long time ago, but not anymore.”
How did Shaq’s ex-wife handle losing half his fortune
On an episode of Basketball Wives, O’Neal’s ex-wife talked with co-star Evelyn Lozada about how she reacted when she first found out that Shaq was cheating on her.
She said, “I went in that garage, not only did I flatten tires, bust a few windows, I wrote on the hood of his car, ‘I cheat on my wife.’ He had to drive that sh*t on four flats, with the message all around it. I drove on the side of his as* blowing the horn, ’cause I wanted people to like see. Beep the whole ride, the whole ride.” Suffice it to say, O’Neal’s wife didn’t handle his infidelity too well.
