Shaq, Meet Sac State

Shaq Attack Merchant Joins Sacramento State as Men's Basketball GM

Human beings are social creatures. We break bread with our friends, we follow trends to fit in, and more often than not we hang out with people who share similar views (or values) with us. We are just hard-wired to support things we’re familiar with. Ironically however, we as a society can’t stand nepotism. It’s my favorite double standard in life.

So anyway, noted former free throw shooter Shaquille O’Neal made waves this week as he signed on to be the General Manager of Sacramento State University’s Men’s Basketball team. The reason is that the move is as simple as it is complex. On one hand, with TNT losing the NBA broadcasting rights, Shaq needs to do something else with his time. On the other hand, since O’Neal’s son is committed to playing for the Sac State Hornets, there are cries that sporting dads are doing too much in order to give their kids a spotlight. And while you could argue that Shaq being there is taking an opportunity away from another executive, ol’ boy is doing the new gig for FREE as a volunteer. Not that Shaq needs the money, do you know the things that guy has equity in? Hint, it is a LOT:

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Papa John’s, 24 Hour Fitness, Krispy Kreme, (Shaq’s) Big Chicken Restaurants, The General Car Insurance, and numerous Car Washes. - Source

And that’s not even counting the brands he was a pitchman for like Epson Printers, Beard Mojo, and that time he cosplayed as Shaft to sell a burger:

By the way, this and the Arch Deluxe were my favorite burgers growing up.

Do you recall the time when he teamed up with Jade Cargill in AEW for a match on a random episode of Dynamite?

Damnnnn Shaq, leave some jobs and opportunities for the rest of us!

But the main issue at hand is the double-edged sword of Shaquille O’Neil working at the same school that his sons are playing. The track record of athlete dads spawning equally as successful sons is shifting into the negative, based on my own non-scientific estimation. We just witnessed Shedeur Sanders, propped by father “Prime Time” Dion Sanders, experience one of the most prolific NFL Draft slides in recent memory. A few years back we were astounded at the brazen nature of LaVar Ball promoting his three sons. (Full disclosure, I do own a pair of LiMelos so maybe I’m part of the problem). Two words: Bronny James. And to take an example way back, I literally worked on an ESPN “30 for 30” documentary on the rise and fall of the “Robo QB” Todd Marinovich, who was famously pushed by his dad.

At the same time, you can’t deny what it means for a school when someone of note shows up. Like, when was the last time ANYBODY mentioned Sacramento State as a collegiate sports option in any sport, far less basketball? And if I’m 15 or 16, the O’Neal signing instantly puts Sac State on the map. Then again, you would then have to live in Sacramento, which presents its own challenges.

All told, I wish Mr. O’Neal the best on his next chapter. Being a General Manager is tough work, but if there is anyone who has experience with the General, it’s Shaq.

I could still could go for a Shaq Pack right about now.