It seems the city of Las Vegas might soon be welcoming an NBA franchise, and basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal is at the forefront of this exciting development. Initially desiring sole ownership, O'Neal has since shown a willingness to collaborate with other NBA stars like LeBron James.
O'Neal's Ambition for Ownership
Currently serving as a broadcaster on TNT's Inside the NBA, O'Neal is no stranger to team ownership. He was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022, and now he's setting his sights on Las Vegas. "I would like to have my group," said O'Neal. "I know Vegas hasn't been awarded an NBA team yet, but if they ever get to a point where they are awarded a team, I would like to be a part of that. I don't want to partner up with nobody. I want it all for myself."
However, O'Neal later appeared open to collaboration, stating, "If there's ever an NBA team that's going to come here, I would like to be involved, with LeBron, without LeBron, I just want to be involved." Despite his initial desire for sole ownership, it seems O'Neal recognizes the potential benefits of partnering with other influential figures in the sport.
LeBron James: Potential Partner?
One such figure is LeBron James, who played alongside O'Neal at the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season. Now an active player for the Los Angeles Lakers, James has expressed support for bringing an NBA team to Las Vegas. His business acumen extends beyond the court; James owns a two percent stake in the Liverpool Football Club.
Transitioning from Player to Owner
The transition from former NBA player to team owner is not a new trend. Michael Jordan, for instance, was the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has also expressed interest in owning a team in the future.
"Absolutely. Understanding the business and how it's run," said Curry. "It fascinates you to understand where the future's headed. To know that you can be part of an ownership group that's ushering the NBA to its super prime, from viewership to basketball-related income coming in."
Despite these transitions, no player currently holds majority ownership or governorship of an NBA franchise, making O'Neal's ambition a potentially groundbreaking move.
O'Neal's Ownership Aspirations: Not Just About Bragging Rights
O'Neal made it clear his aspirations are not just about bragging rights. He wants to be involved in decision-making, stating, "There are two types of owners. There's the owner that just has the bragging rights, and I'm the partial owner, and there's guys that like to make decisions. I, at some point, would like to be in on the decision-making process."
While he's open to owning a football team and definitely interested in basketball, O'Neal has ruled out baseball. "Not baseball. Football, maybe, basketball definitely, but not baseball," he said.
In conclusion, the potential establishment of an NBA franchise in Las Vegas is an exciting prospect, with Shaquille O'Neal leading the charge. Whether he goes at it alone or teams up with other NBA stars, one thing is certain: O'Neal's passion for the sport and desire to contribute to its growth is unwavering.