“Very very corporate…” $400 million worth Shaquille O’Neal reveals ‘ADHD’ played major role in picking TNT over ESPN

Shaquille O'Neal picked TNT over ESPN in the year 2012 and the rest has been history.

“Very very corporate…” $400 million worth Shaquille O’Neal reveals ‘ADHD’ played major role in picking TNT over ESPN

Shaquille O'Neal

The NBA career of Shaquille O’Neal is legendary. His status as one of the funniest regulars on TNT’s Inside the NBA has helped him get more recognition among younger fans, though, to the point where the program doesn’t seem nearly as amusing when he isn’t on the cast. Even though Shaq’s name is now closely associated with TNT, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player almost made a different decision at one point.

Without Shaquille O’Neal, “Inside the NBA” would be nearly unimaginable. The NBA legend talked candidly about the beginning of his second chapter on The Big Podcast with Shaq. Several well-known television networks, including ESPN and Turner Sports, expressed interest in the $400 million worth O’Neal. He disclosed that his ADHD was a factor in his decision to select TNT over ESPN.

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Shaquille O’Neal said via The Big Podcast with Shaq:

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I'm professional. I don't like to pit people against each other. You know, I realized ESPN is very, very corporate. I have ADHD, probably wouldn't work up there. TNT is a bit more loose, I said I am gonna go with TNT.
Shaquille O’Neal said

O’Neal admitted that he had not given much attention to going from playing hoops to discussing basketball on national television. However, he was persuaded to join ESPN and TNT during his retirement celebration.

Shaquille O’Neal’s journey with Chuck, EJ, and ‘The Jet’

In 2012, Shaquille O’Neal became an NBA analyst on TNT, co-hosting the NBA studio program alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. The program has received eighteen Sports Emmy Awards in its lifetime and was routinely ranked as the best sports analysis program on American television by the early 2000s. The NBA legend had full freedom to express his personality and sense of humor.

This gave birth to “Shaqtin-A-fool”, one of the NBA’s greatest segments. The 7’1” superstar features the most comical moments that took place on the court becoming a fan-favorite watch.

In 2012, he received the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Promotional Announcement. O’Neal is reported to earn $10 million from TNT. Shaquille O’Neal’s banters with partner Charles Barkley have made the TNT show a huge hit.

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