Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: NBA, Shaquille ONeal
Nasir Jabbar
Shaquille O'Neal's maintenance bill for his private jet is absolutely mind-blowing and left basketball fans stunned when they discovered how much it costs.
O'Neal - affectionately known as 'Shaq' - enjoyed a legendary NBA career, winning four championships, including a three-peat with the Los Angeles Lakers between 1999 to 2002.
He also played for the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat before ending his distinguished career with a one-season spell with the Boston Celtics.
The 7 ft 1 in superstar earned millions throughout his career, so, naturally, he purchased a private jet.
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Michael Jordan has his own private jet, which he uses to attend events around the globe.
O'Neal was initially against the idea of owning a private jet, saying: “No, I don’t think so. There’s too much maintenance.
"If I own something, I like to know what is going on. I don’t want to get screwed in a bad deal. I’ve seen it happen to other guys."
O'Neal, who has an estimated personal wealth of $400m, said he had no desire to purchase a private jet in order to show off his wealth to others.
"Yeah, some guys do," he added. "But I don’t do that. I’m a man of the people."
However, in 2023, O'Neal changed his tune after renting private jets for many years.
He decided to drop a whopping $27 million on a Bombardier Challenger 650.
The jet has a lavish interior, with cream leather seating and wood panelling.
The swanky aircraft can seat 12 people and has a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
Shaq also has his 'Dunkman' logo slapped on the tailplane, which makes it stand out from other jets.
He was right to be wary of the maintenance involved in owning a private jet; his maintenance bill is staggering.
According to Liberty Jet, using his jet for 200 hours a year sets O'Neal back approximately $1,351,204.
That figure includes fuel ($517,668), crew ($307,542) and engine overhaul ($93,174).
For 400 hours of flying, the total running cost would increase to $2,144,112.