Shaquille O’Neal has turned himself into a business giant worth roughly $500 million since retiring from the hardwood. The Big Diesel built an empire that includes Papa John’s franchises, Five Guys locations, Big Chicken restaurants, and stakes in tech giants like Apple and Google. But the Hall of Famer admits that he doesn’t make these moves alone.
The Inside the NBA analyst credits Mark Cuban for his investment brilliance. When the former Mavericks owner calls with an opportunity, O’Neal doesn’t even bother checking the financials first. If Cuban’s writing a check, so is the Big Aristotle.
Shaquille O’Neal Says He’d Invest No Matter What Mark Cuban Pitches
O’Neal recently opened up about his investment strategy during a BeatBox Beverages event in Las Vegas. The three-time Finals MVP made it crystal clear he plays follow the leader when it comes to Cuban’s business moves. His trust in the Shark Tank star runs so deep he’d back anything Cuban touches literally.
Shaquille O’Neal Invested In Beverage Brand BeatBox After A Call From Mark Cuban — Whatever ‘Mark Is Investing In, I’m Investing In’ https://t.co/caDNwPJlIo
— AfroTech (@AfroTech) July 14, 2025
“Whenever Mark is investing in, I’m investing in,” Shaq told People magazine. “Mark could say, ‘Hey, I got a toilet tissue brand coming out.’ I’m doing it. He’s been very successful since he sold.”
That wasn’t hyperbole or jokes for the cameras. O’Neal actually put his money where his mouth is with BeatBox, the ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage company. Cuban dropped $1 million for a third of the company on Shark Tank back in 2014, one of the largest deals in the show’s history. Years later, O’Neal spotted the portable punch boxes while DJing at clubs and concerts.
“I thought it was Capri Sun… then I tried. I was like, ‘This is pretty good,'” O’Neal told People. But flavor alone didn’t seal the deal. After reflecting on a call he received from Cuban about BeatBox, O’Neal explained his philosophy: “I’ve always learned that in order to be great, you have to have conversations with other great people.”
Shaquille O’Neal Says He’ll Invest in Anything Mark Cuban Touches — ‘He Could Say I Got a Toilet Tissue Brand Coming Out… I’m Doing It’ | @scoopit https://t.co/sSYYngg4K8
— Enzo Calamo (@EnzoCalamo) July 26, 2025
In March 2025, O’Neal and BeatBox launched a blueberry lemonade flavor with 11.1% ABV nationwide at Spec’s, Total Wine & More, and major grocery chains. But O’Neal made it clear this wasn’t just a money play. He doesn’t even know how much he invested in the company.
“Every company that I’m with, I definitely have to like the product,” O’Neal continued in the People interview. “I get a lot of opportunities to do business, but if I don’t like your product, I can’t take your money and sell something I don’t like to the people. I just can’t do it.”
For O’Neal, investing isn’t about returns alone but about adding value and helping brands reach their next level. “My spiel to everyone is being a teammate,” he said. “I’m going to be the one to help take it to the next level.”
Cuban’s portfolio includes recent investments in companies like Richualist and Beanstack, a Black-led edtech startup that raised $1.5 million in a January 2025 seed round with his backing.
He gained broader popularity through Shark Tank, where one of his most recognizable moments came from backing BeatBox with that massive seven-figure investment. That move caught Shaq’s attention years ago and eventually led to their partnership on the beverage brand.
Whether Cuban’s next move is toilet paper, tech startups, or another beverage brand, expect O’Neal to be right there writing checks. Because when the Shark Tank legend says jump, the Big Diesel doesn’t ask how high. He just asks where to wire the money.
