NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, better known as Shaq, recently revealed a shocking consequence of his past comments about the Earth being flat – a lost $20 million deal.
During an episode of Complex’s “GOAT Talk,” O’Neal spoke openly about the impact of his 2017 flat Earth debate, admitting it led to the loss of a lucrative business opportunity. The former Los Angeles Lakers superstar was discussing various topics with his son, Myles O’Neal, when a question about the incident came up. Shaq recalled his controversial statement, saying, “I said Earth was flat one time, and I lost a f**king big deal on that. Yeah, cause [of] the haters.”
O’Neal didn’t name the company involved, but he explained that the decision-makers received a staggering 500,000 complaints, ultimately leading them to terminate the partnership. “It was like 500,000 hate mail they said man we can’t big deal like $20 million I’m not going to elaborate on it,” he stated.
The controversy surrounding O’Neal’s flat Earth comments started back in 2017 when he appeared to support the theory on “The Big Podcast With Shaq.” However, he later walked back his statement during an appearance on Jordan Harbinger’s podcast “The Art of Charm,” clarifying it was a joke. “The Earth is flat,” he said, adding, “Would you like to hear my theory? The first part of the theory is, I’m joking, you idiots.”
O’Neal’s statement coincided with similar claims made by Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving, who also faced heavy backlash and later apologized. This incident highlights the impact of public figures’ statements, even when intended as jokes, and serves as a reminder of the power of social media and its ability to shape public perception.
While O’Neal’s recent news has been dominated by his flat Earth controversy, he continues to make headlines for his off-court activities. Earlier this month, he unveiled his custom Tesla Cybertruck, nicknamed the “Cyberbeast.” The vehicle boasts a widebody kit and carbon fiber build, enhancing its lightweight design and bold appearance.
