Big man Shaq living large

MiamiHerald.com ^ | 01/26/2008 | MICHAEL WALLACE AND EVAN S. BENN

[devane617]

It takes a big man with deep pockets to figure out what to do with $1.3 million a month -- on expenses so extravagant they'd make Paris Hilton jealous.

Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is that man. Consider his monthly expenditures:

• $156,116 on mortgages.

• $110,505 on vacations.

• $60,417 on gifts.

• $26,560 on baby-sitters.

• $24,300 on gasoline.

• $22,190 on maids.

• $17,220 on clothes.

• $12,775 on food.

On top of that, the tax man gets his share: O'Neal, 35, pays about $500,000 a month in income taxes.

The details of O'Neal's checkbook were revealed this month as part of his ongoing divorce from Shaunie O'Neal. They filed in September to end their five-year marriage. The couple have four children, and each partner has one child from previous relationships.

The divorce proceedings have come during the most difficult season of O'Neal's 16-year NBA career. He has missed nine of the past 13 games with inflammation in his left hip and thigh, an injury that will keep him out of action for at least another two weeks and possibly the rest of the season.

O'Neal's financial-disclosure forms were notarized in Los Angeles on Jan 10. He had been away from the team Jan. 7-12 for treatment for his hip, Coach Pat Riley said.

He also is averaging a career-low 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds this season for the Heat (8-33), which has the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

O'Neal has been unwilling to discuss his off-the-court issue.

''It's something that I won't discuss now, won't discuss 10 years from now, won't discuss ever,'' O'Neal said earlier this season. ``If I ever do have a bad game or a bad couple of games, I won't blame it on that.''

But don't worry about his financial well being -- he has plenty to pay the bills at his Star Island mansion.

At $20 million a year, O'Neal is the second-highest paid NBA player, behind only the Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett. O'Neal listed his monthly income at $1.8 million -- $1.6 million in Heat salary and $220,000 in business investments and endorsements.

On top of his basketball duties, the 7-foot-1, 325-pound O'Neal also is a reserve Miami Beach police officer. But O'Neal's not getting rich as a cop -- he volunteers for that duty.

[devane617]

I feel bad about spending $10.00 a month on cat food.

[Lizavetta]

On top of that, the tax man gets his share: O'Neal, 35, pays about $500,000 a month in income taxes

But the Democrats tell us day in day out that the rich don't pay their fair share.

[fieldmarshaldj]

You big spender, you.

[Dog Gone]

He buys about 8,000 gallons of gasoline a month?

Is he driving a Sherman tank around town?

[Vision]

Don’t forget to tally what he spends a month on whores.

[MinorityRepublican]

Shaq actually learned a skill as a police officer. So I’ll have to give him credit for that. It sounds like he has a plan already in place after retirement unlike most athletes.

[xjcsa]

If he keeps working hard, maybe one day he’ll make as much money as Rush Limbaugh :)

[t1b8zs]

Didnt see “Pre-Nup” anywhere.....?

[cajungirl]

dang, I spend 87 a month on a facial and feel guilty the whole time.

Different world for some.

[don-o]

a lousy $220k / month from business / investments? Look likes when he can’t bounce the ball, he’s gonna be in for major downsizing if he doesn’t get busy.

[ketsu]

I feel bad about spending $10.00 a month on cat food.

Heh... he still saves 800,000 a month even after taxes.

Can't fault the man though. His salary is a pittance of what he used to bring to a big market team.

He won't be able to hold a candle to Yao Ming in the end though.

[3Lean]

Of course, if he cut back a little on vacations ($110,000 a MONTH?????) he could invest that money and not have to worry about working after the end of his b-ball days.
How do you spend over 100 grand a month on vacations when you are playing basketball 2 or 3 nights a week during the season?

[Spok]

“Don’t forget to tally what he spends a month on whores.”

Whenever I hear Magic Johnson’s name, and the thousands of women he slept with that resulted in his becoming HIV positive, I wonder how many women he slept with AFTER he became HIV positive.

[ketsu]

Don’t forget to tally what he spends a month on whores.

I don't think any NBA athlete has to pay for woman. Even George Zidak used to be a hit with the ladies. They line up by the locker room after games.

[theFIRMbss]

>I feel bad about spending $10.00 a month on cat food

For the last three months
my Sea Monkeys have lived on
the packet of food

that came in their kit.
And the little envelope
is more than half full . . .

[Nevadan]

For that pay, I don’t think I would mind being his babysitter or maid!

[Drew68]

$12,775 on food.

How on earth? Who's he feeding?

Anyways, I did the math and after taxes he's still only spending half of his take home pay.

Wish I could tuck away $400,000 into my savings each month!

[ketsu]

Of course, if he cut back a little on vacations ($110,000 a MONTH?????) he could invest that money and not have to worry about working after the end of his b-ball days.

How do you spend over 100 grand a month on vacations when you are playing basketball 2 or 3 nights a week during the season?

Do the math, he's still saving almost half of his paycheck. Better than most of us I'll wager.

I don't think most of the stuff is *for him*. Most NBA players are economies unto themselves, I'll bet Shaq supports an entourage of 20+ people. That's where the clothes, gifts, gas and vacations go. To his hangers-on.

[MinorityRepublican]

I don't think it's good for athletes to just retire after they're done playing sports. Many of them ultimately ended up in trouble. So it's a good thing that Shaq has found something productive to do with his free time.

I don't care if he's excessive with his vacations, it's America so why not enjoy life? It's his money to lose.

[devere]

“Is he driving a Sherman tank around town?”

He borrowed Ahnold’s Hummer.

[Drew68]

I did the math and after taxes he's still only spending half of his take home pay.

Never mind. I subtracted the $500,000 from $1.3 millions. He actually grosses $1.8 million a month.

[carjic]

Ah thats the “Families” Sherman tank...

[ketsu]

I don't think it's good for athletes to just retire after they're done playing sports. Many of them ultimately ended up in trouble. So it's a good thing that Shaq has found something productive to do with his free time.

I don't care if he's excessive with his vacations, it's America so why not enjoy life? It's his money to lose.

Shaq is remarkably well grounded and funny, he won't have any trouble after he retires. Shaq is one of the better human beings in the NBA.

[theFIRMbss]

6:05
Outside the stadium
Special delivery
For Hoops McCann
Brut and charisma
Poured from the shadow where he stood
Looking good
He's a crowd pleasing man
One on one
He's schoolyard superman
Crashing the backboard
He's Jungle Jim again
When it's all over
We'll make some calls from my car
We're a star
It's a glamour profession
The L.A. concession
Local boys will spend a quarter
Just to shine the silver bowl
Living hard will take its toll

Illegal fun
Under the sun

All aboard
The Carib Cannibal
Off to Barbados
Just for the ride
Jack with his radar
Stalking the dread moray eel
At the wheel
With his Eurasian bride
On the town
We dress for action
Celluloid bikers
Is Friday's theme
I drove the Chrysler
Watched from the darkness while they danced
I'm the one

It's a glamour profession
The L.A. concession
Local boys will spend a quarter
Just to shine the silver bowl
Living hard will take its toll

Illegal fun
Under the sun

Hollywood
I know your middle name
Who inspires your fabled fools
That's my claim to fame

Jive Miguel
He's in from Bogota
Meet me at midnight
At Mr. Chow's
Szechuan dumplings
After the deal has been done
I'm the one

It's a glamour profession
The L.A. concession
Local boys will spend a quarter
Just to shine the silver bowl
Living hard will take its toll

Illegal fun
Under the sun

[econjack]

$22,190 on maids.

I'll bet Shaq could find someone willing to clean his house for free, too.

[3Lean]

I agree that they need to keep busy, too many get fat and die young. I also agree that Shaq can spend his money any way he pleases, I just am unable to fathom his ability to do so....
Finally, with the spending habits he has developed, I hope he has a massive nest egg stored somewhere, because when the inflow of money stops I don’t think his spending will.

[blam]

What does he do for the homeless and the 43 million without health insurance?

[Moonman62]

Yep. Look at someone like Tiger Woods. As much money as he makes in earnings, he makes several times more in endorsements.

[blam]

Glamour Profession
(Steely Dan)

[Hardastarboard]

He borrowed Ahnold’s Hummer.

He should have borrowed Clinton's Hummer. She doesn't consume any gas at all.

[LibWhacker]

$24,300 on gasoline

Wow, gasoline or jet fuel for a private jet? If it's gas, he must have a fleet of cars that housestaff, family and friends tool around in.

[Captainpaintball]

Special delivery for Shaq O’ Neal

[T. Jefferson]

I don't think any NBA athlete has to pay for woman.

Sure, the first night is free. Then they pay child support of 5-10K a month for years. 6 figure one night stands.There's been many players paying 2 or 3 women this way. That's often why you see them go broke after retiring.

The league actually has mandatory classes teaching the young naive players of the predatory women reality they will face and how manipulative and conniving they can be. They're instructed to immediately carry the condom to the john and flush it. The women are known to cart it off and impregnate themselves with it.

The stardom is in some ways a curse to these guys, since they lose the freedom they had. The high dollar vacation cost you see is because they are forced to leave the country to avoid the scams and lawsuits.

[jamese777]

“Sure, the first night is free. Then they pay child support of 5-10K a month for years. 6 figure one night stands.There’s been many players paying 2 or 3 women this way. That’s often why you see them go broke after retiring.

The league actually has mandatory classes teaching the young naive players of the predatory women reality they will face and how manipulative and conniving they can be. They’re instructed to immediately carry the condom to the john and flush it. The women are known to cart it off and impregnate themselves with it.

The stardom is in some ways a curse to these guys, since they lose the freedom they had. The high dollar vacation cost you see is because they are forced to leave the country to avoid the scams and lawsuits.”

---

However none of that has anything to do with Shaq O’Neal’s situation. He’s getting a divorce from his first wife and he has never been linked to other women.

[nutmeg]

LOL!

[Popman]

Shaq is one of the few better human beings in the NBA.

I hope you don't mind if I fixed your post

[mainerforglobalwarming]

Shaq’s a great american. All that spending has helped to create jobs, make lives easier for the common man. God bless you shaq!

[Vision]

Oh please. Just google shaq on this subject. He’s a major whoremaster.

[Yardstick]

Didn’t know the song but knew it had to be Steely Dan.

[ketsu]

Oh please. Just google shaq on this subject. He’s a major whoremaster.

Has there ever been a rich and powerful athlete/politician/CEO that didn't have tons of women on the side? Not going to judge him for that.

[Polybius]

On top of that, the tax man gets his share: O'Neal, 35, pays about $500,000 a month in income taxes

But the Democrats tell us day in day out that the rich don't pay their fair share.

In a way, the Democrats are correct. Only the "working rich" pay their fair share of taxes.

John Kerry and Teresa Kerry are worth over $500 million.

In 1996, John Kerry paid $31,328 in federal taxes.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Whenever I hear Magic Johnson’s name, and the thousands of women he slept with that resulted in his becoming HIV positive, I wonder how many women he slept with AFTER he became HIV positive.

I think it's generally understood that Magic didn't catch HIV from a woman...

[Vision]

Has there ever been a rich and powerful athlete/politician/CEO that didn't have tons of women on the side? Not going to judge him for that.

Yes, there have been many, many great and successful men who didn't frequent whores.

[ketsu]

I hope you don't mind if I fixed your post

Meh... Most NBA players aren't that bad. A little high on themselves but who wouldn't be? If you took out the dope use they're probably more law abiding than the general population on average.

[ketsu]

Yes, there have been many, many great and successful men who didn't frequent whores.

Do mistresses count?

[Lizavetta]

Only the "working rich" pay their fair share of taxes.

And lottery winners.

[Vision]

Look, go whore it up all you want. Maybe you and Shaq can high five each other.

[Popman]

If you took out the dope use they're probably more law abiding than the general population on average.

Link

[ketsu]

Look, go whore it up all you want. Maybe you and Shaq can high five each other.

Heh... are you implying that I'm rich and famous? If so I appreciate it ;)

[ketsu]

Link

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed it. Are you implying that it disproves my hypothesis? ;)