Mike Bibby stunned the college ranks. As the new head coach at Sacramento State, he brought in none other than Shaquille O’Neal as the General Manager. O’Neal made clear this is more than a publicity stunt. “I know what it takes to build a winning culture,” he said via Sacramento State statement. “This is about more than the banners and trophies, but preparing those student-athletes for life on and off the court.” Clearly, this isn’t just a name drop—Shaq’s ready to get to work.
In a 247Sports interview, Bibby detailed Shaq’s behind-the-scenes role and shared what Shaq’s role really looks like behind the scenes. “I mean, he will handle whatever he wants. He’s Shaquille O’Neal, you know what I mean,” Bibby said. But there’s more to it. The duo is laying the groundwork for a full-on program reboot—From NIL strategy to a state-of-the-art training complex, and even a revamped weight and training room. And yes, it’s all slowly coming together. Or, as Bibby put it, “little by little.”
Meanwhile, that “little by little” just turned into a huge step forward. Sacramento State has kicked off a major renovation for what’s being described as a “long-needed, bigger basketball venue on campus.” According to The Sacramento Bee’s Joe Davidson, the new 3,200-seat pavilion—complete with two massive video boards—is already under construction and set to be finished by summer. The WELL will supplant the 73-year-old Nest, which seats just 1,012.
The Nest will remain as a dedicated practice facility. It’ll stick around as a practice space and host for other sports. But finally, as Davidson wrote, it “will no longer be labeled as the poorest Division I basketball venue in the country.” Bibby’s vision? A Duke-style home court vibe, one that captures the same Kings-level energy Sacramento fans are known for.
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal stands on the sidelines before a game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Even more interesting, President Luke Wood noted this approach was more feasible than a $100 million new arena campaign for an entirely new arena, which, in his words, “could take years.” But Shaq’s influence extends far beyond bricks and mortar.
Shaquille O’Neal’s impact goes beyond just basketball at Sac State
Just when fans were wondering what Shaquille O’Neal could really bring to a college program, Sac State’s athletic director gave everyone a little more to think about. Mark Orr, speaking to Fox40 News, didn’t shy away from mixing in a bit of humor. He teased that one big perk of having DJ Diesel in the building is the “in-game” entertainment. After all, Shaq’s been pulling sellout crowds at massive events like Tomorrowland. But beyond the fun stuff, Orr made it clear—the big man’s real value is his revenue-generating power.
Now, that’s where things really get interesting. “His success in business, you know, he post-playing career and even in his playing career with the endorsements is what he’s done in investments,” Orr said. And with NIL playing a bigger role in college sports, Shaq’s influence could turn Sacramento State into a serious player. “Opportunities for Sacramento State to generate revenue, not only for our athletic program and our university but also for student athletes, is another area that I think Shaq can add a lot to us.”
Moreover, there’s a personal layer to this move, too. It brings Shaq closer to his son, who’s been working his way through college ball. But professionally? It’s a power play. Many believe his GM role could spark new momentum for Sac State’s ambitions, including a potential move to FBS status.
Financially, the hire could be a lifeline. The school is dealing with a $37 million deficit, as reported by The Sacramento Bee. “His track record—from Reebok royalty to real estate and tech investments—means he knows how to turn attention into income,” Orr told Fox40. Shaq’s $500 million empire spans franchises (Papa John’s, Five Guys), equity stakes in Google and Lyft, and high-profile endorsements with PepsiCo and DraftKings. Leveraging that network, he’s already in talks to craft NIL collectives for Sac State, drawing on a model that funneled $40 million to 29,000 EA-featured athletes last year.
So really, who better to bring in than a man who’s turned a basketball career into a $500 million empire?
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