Shaquille O'Neal Wants To Team Up With Jeff Bezos To Buy The Phoenix Suns
By Melanie VanDerveer on October 2, 2022 at 9:00 PM EDT
Shaquille O'Neal has a serious interest in buying his former team the Phoenix Suns, but when he found out that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also had the desire to buy the NBA team, the thought process changed for O'Neal.
"Nobody Can Compete With Big Man JB"
Nicknaming Bezos as "Big Man JB," O'Neal told TMZ, "I was interested but when Big Man JB said he was interested, nobody can compete with Big Man JB." He added, "Once Jeff Bezos put his name in the hat, all you others just close your checkbook and go home."
NBA legend O'Neal, 50, has no intention to compete against Bezos, 58, but wouldn't mind teaming up with him. "Nobody on this planet can compete with Big Man JB, and I'm not going to go up against Big Man JB. Because you know what? I just ordered 50 things off Amazon today. Big Man JB got that money coming in!," he said. "If he wants me on board, I would gladly like to talk to him. Let me tell you something, I'm scared of Big Man JB. Shaq O'Neal is scared of Big Man JB!"
Current Owner Robert Sarver Recently Announced His Plan To Sell Both Phoenix Teams
The Washington Post recently reported that current owner Robert Sarver announced his plan to sell both the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) following his year-long suspension for allegations of racism and misogyny. The real estate developer said in a statement that he didn't want to be a "distraction" and he "wants what's best" for the two organizations.
"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness," Sarver said. "I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love." He continued his statement with, "But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible - that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."
This Isn't The First NBA Team O'Neal Has Had An Interest In Buying
O'Neal has personal ties to the Suns. He played for them from 2008 to 2009 before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the past, the former NBA star has also expressed an interest in buying the Orlando Magic, who he also played for. During a June episode of his podcast, "The Big Podcast with Shaq," he announced, "This message goes out to the DeVos family, if you're ready to sell Orlando Magic, sell it to somebody who's gonna take it to the next level, that's us."
The team is currently owned by the DeVos family who bought it in 1991 for $85 million, according to Sporting News. O'Neal continued his plea for the opportunity to own the Magic, "Listen we still run that franchise [Magic]. If they wanna sell it to us, DeVos family, we're ready to go right now." O'Neal was also speaking on behalf of former Magic player Dennis Scott, who also appeared on the podcast episode.
