Shaquille O’Neal getting in trouble with his blunt comments is nothing new. Talking about current players or ESPN employees, the Lakers legend sometimes has no filter. It was the case 8 years ago as well, and he was not alone in believing in theories. Kyrie Irving faced the major chunk and even had to apologize later, but the damage had been done. In fact, it was even monetary damage for Shaq.
Back in 2017, Irving questioned whether the Earth is flat on a podcast that came out shortly before All-Star weekend that year in New Orleans. Even the commissioner of the NBA had to step in. “Kyrie and I went to the same college. He may have taken some different courses.” Adam Silver clearly denied believing in any such theories. Later, the All-Star point guard also had to apologize.
“To all the science teachers, everybody coming up to me like, `You know I’ve got to reteach my whole curriculum?’ I’m sorry.” It was in 2018 during the Forbes Under 30 summit in Boston. Irving said he’s since learned certain thoughts are best kept in “intimate conversations.” Apart from him, even Shaquille O’Neal received major backlash. “You know what’s crazy, I said that as a joke and the internet went freaking crazy on me.” Shaq then detailed the problem.
“So when I said it and it went viral, they actually called me in, and I had to talk to the HR department. And they were talking about dropping me. I said, ‘Well, you can drop me all you want. You’re still going to have to pay me.’” In his latest episode of the podcast, the Big Aristotle made the revelation. He did not name the company but did divulge that they did so after receiving a “lot of hate mail.” The 4x NBA champion clarified his stance that he was all in jest in the first place.
Looking back at the joke that Shaquille O’Neal revealed caused monetary loss
The issue started in 2017, after Irving’s conspiracy claims, even Shaq seems to co-sign on the belief. He would do so on his podcast and explain that his theory was based on driving coast to coast. “I drive from coast to coast, and this s–t is flat to me.” He did not stop there.” I do not go up and down at a 360-degree angle, and all that stuff about gravity… The world is flat.” Apparently, it was a joke, but it did cost him millions.
May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal laughs on the court before game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, in conversation with Complex, Shaquille O’Neal would spill some beans on the loss. “This a true story. I said Earth was flat one time, and I lost a f–king big deal on that. Yeah, cause the haters.” That’s when the Lakers legend revealed that joke of his caused the company to receive 500,000 complaints and even the partnership was lost. “Big deal, like $20 million,” he claimed.
Today, Shaq has no regrets about losing that association since he believes him pushing buttons is what he does. “But if you guys don’t know when I’m joking maybe I don’t need to be with this company anyway.” One last hint about the company that O’Neal gave was that he uses their products/services but does not endorse them.
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