“I’m just a regular guy that just listened to the right people.” Shaquille O’Neal had no shame in admitting that a significant credit for his business success goes to his learnings from the people who were already successful in the space. There is no denying that surrounding yourself with beings of higher capabilities in any field will only add to your knowledge and experience of the field. Big Diesel did exactly that and now stands at a net worth of $500 million. And now, yet another former NBA star is set to follow in his footsteps in terms of how to be successful in the business space.
The former NBA star in discussion? Jim Jackson. If you’ve followed the NBA long enough, you probably remember him as the talented journeyman who played for 12 teams over 14 seasons. That kind of movement can be tough for a player’s image—it often signals instability or a lack of long-term value. Jackson, too, knows it. During a candid moment in his Forbes interview, he admitted, “I don’t even know if I turned in papers. My agents might have did… I didn’t have any fanfare going out. They didn’t care if I retired or not…” Well, while his career might not have ended with a bang, he is definitely looking to make a mark in the business space. And he’s almost on the lines of following Shaquille O’Neal’s roadmap.
Like Shaq, Jackson is stepping into the world of business. But he’s not rushing in claiming to know it all. In fact, his approach is refreshingly humble. He believes that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. “… Surround yourself with people that know the business or the business that you’re going in a lot better and you lean into that… I do my research, I learn, I understand, especially from a real estate perspective,” Jackson shared during the interview. That mindset might just be his biggest asset.
So, where is he placing his bets? The real estate sector. And not just any corner of it—he’s stepping into an industry projected to reach a staggering $654.3 trillion in market value this year. It’s an enormous space with infinite opportunities, and Jackson is smartly positioning himself to learn and grow within it.
What’s even more inspiring is how he’s building his strategy. Instead of surrounding himself with yes men, he’s choosing people with completely different skills and experiences. His goal? To create an ecosystem of learning and collaboration. As he put it, “As a basketball player, I’m leaning into four, five, six, seven other guys to help me achieve success. And it’s no different when you have from a real estate or business wise. Why wouldn’t you want the best around you that provide a different dynamic outlook point of view that help you succeed.”
And Jackson seems to be on the right track financially, too. His net worth today stands at $10 million, even though he made just $31.2 million during his NBA days. The net worth may not sound massive at first glance, but consider the lifestyle and spending habits of many pro athletes. Holding onto a third of your career earnings—and still building—signals something big. It means he’s not just investing money, he’s investing smartly.
Mar 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; FanDuel broadcaster Jim Jackson during the game between the New York Knicks and the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
And it seems that Jackson has started quite well in the direction he’s headed. At least, that’s what his net worth of $10 million reflects because his NBA earnings were just $31.2 million. Consider the kind of expenses NBA athletes make on their lifestyle, and a $10 million net worth would seem much more impressive than it might seem. And considering he’s still on a learning curve, there is no reason to doubt why he cannot come closer to the $100 million mark inch by inch, like Shaquille O’Neal has been doing: learning and aiming for the billion-dollar mark.
Shaquille O’Neal admitted taking business guidance from former Los Angeles Lakers star
When you think of Shaq, a dominant basketball force likely comes to mind—but there’s a sharp businessman behind that towering frame. And like many successful figures, the 4x NBA champ didn’t build his empire alone. During a Black Entrepreneurs Day livestream, he opened up about the people who helped shape his business journey.
Among those he credited? Two familiar faces—his former Lakers teammate, Magic Johnson, and Shark Tank mogul Daymond John. Reflecting on his early business goals, Shaq shared, “So the first thing I said was, ‘I want to own a clothing line.’ So I’m doing my little thing, own my clothing line, and I’m looking at the numbers. I see FUBU and their numbers are killing my numbers. Now I’m like, ‘Man, who are these FUBU cats?’ I started watching them and I learned a lot. We met, you always took care of me, you always gave me knowledge. You [John] and Magic helped me get started.”
O’Neal’s real estate ventures, like his ownership of shopping centers in Atlanta and Las Vegas and investments in projects like CityPlex12 in Newark, mirror Johnson’s urban development focus and have been a cornerstone of his $500 million fortune.
That’s one thing fans admire about Shaq—he never lets a good deed go unnoticed. Giving credit where it’s due, he continues to pass on wisdom that once guided him. And now it seems the same mechanism might make wonders for Jim Jackson if he continues on the path he is set on right now.
The post Entering $654.3 Trillion Industry, Ex-NBA Star Followed Shaquille O’Neal’s Footsteps After Forced Retirement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
