Fans stunned after finding out how Shaquille O'Neal spent $9m of his $10.5m salary in one day

Shaquille O’Neal once revealed how he spent $9 million of his $10.5 million salary in one day.

O’Neal, 52, is often regarded as one of the finest players to ever grace the NBA.

During his career, the American played for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

He also won the NBA on four occasions before retiring from the sport in 2011.

Since then, O’Neal has continued to be one of the biggest names in the celebrity world.

Speaking on Gary Vee’s podcast back in 2021, O’Neal revealed he once spent $9 million of his $10 million wage in just one day.

It was reported that he made approximately $20 million per year when he signed for the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, he seemed to have forgotten the 50% tax deduction after his move from Orlando.

He said: “So now when I first get to LA, listen 120 through 7 [years]. What's that, what I made what $20 [million] a year something like that. So I get to LA now, I gotta floss Gary. I'm going over, and I'm looking at matches in the hills. How much is this for me? Cash. How much is that Rolls Royce? $300,000? We get three of them, another million. Just straight cash.

“So when I saw my cheque with $10.9 million and I had spent $9 million. Boy, was I upset with myself. I really was.”

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In 2021, O’Neal told the New York Post that he no longer wanted to be a celebrity.

He said: “These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don't want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I'm done with it. I don't want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don't call me that anymore. These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That's never been me. I never want to be looked at like that.

“All my life, everyone probably gets stereotyped, but us celebrities, we get stereotyped because most of these celebrities are out of their mind. I don't do that. I'm a regular person that listened, followed his dreams and made it.”