Throwback: Shaquille O’Neal Credited Jeff Bezos’ Advice for Transforming His Fortune

Shaquille O’Neal revealed how a Jeff Bezos tip helped shape the investment strategy behind his $500 Million net worth.

Throwback: Shaquille O’Neal Credited Jeff Bezos’ Advice for Transforming His Fortune

Shaquille O’Neal and Jeff Bezos (Image: X and NBA)

A resurfaced interview has brought renewed attention to the investment philosophy that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal once credited with dramatically increasing his wealth.

In a 2019 interview with The Wall Street Journal, O’Neal explained how advice from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos changed the way he evaluated business opportunities and shaped his approach to investing after his basketball career.

“I heard Jeff Bezos say one time (that) he makes his investments based on if it’s going to change people’s lives. Once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I’m worth,” O’Neal said.

The four time NBA champion said the lesson encouraged him to focus on businesses that provide meaningful value rather than simply chasing profits. According to O’Neal, personal belief in a product or company is a key factor in every investment decision he makes. “Whenever I do business, it’s not about the money,” he said.

That approach helped O’Neal build a business portfolio that stretched far beyond sports. Over the years, he became an early investor in Google and also accumulated investments in Apple, car washes and entertainment ventures.

Among his most successful investments was Ring, the home security company. O’Neal discovered the product while looking for a security solution for his own home and later decided to invest in the business. The company went on to become one of the biggest success stories in his portfolio after Amazon acquired Ring in 2018 in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion.

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How Shaquille O’Neal’s investment philosophy shaped his business decisions

Shaquille O’Neal’s emphasis on investing in products he genuinely believed in also influenced the businesses he chose to leave behind.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star once owned 17 Auntie Anne’s franchise locations but eventually sold them after deciding the investment no longer aligned with his personal convictions.

Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O’Neal (via X)

At the same time, he remained committed to brands he personally enjoyed. Krispy Kreme has long been one of his favorite investments, a connection he has traced back to his college years.

O’Neal has also spoken openly about mistakes along the way. One of his most notable missed opportunities involved Starbucks after he declined a chance to partner with the company.

“When Howard Schultz wanted to do business with me, I looked at the deal and said, ‘Black people don’t drink coffee,’” O’Neal admitted. “I was wrong.”

The comments remain one of O’Neal’s most frequently cited lessons on investing, highlighting both the successes and setbacks that helped shape his business career. His strategy of backing products and companies that he believes can improve people’s lives continues to be closely associated with the advice he once received from Bezos.

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