Basketballer Shaquille O’Neal to visit Australia for talking tour
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is travelling to Australia for the first time in more than 20 years for a special touring event.
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Iconic American basketballer Shaquille O’Neal is set to make his first trip Down Under in more than two decades.
The 50-year-old will bring An Evening With Shaquille O’Neal to Sydney’s Star Centre on August 26, sharing his thoughts on life, basketball, business and post retiring from the game.
“I’m really excited for this long-awaited tour to come to Australia,” O’Neal said.
“It is my first time back in such a long time and I can’t wait to see you Aussies Down Under.”
The announcement comes more than two years after the superstar announced a trip to Australia for 2020. That tour was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
Shaq is a four-time NBA champion including three titles with the LA Lakers playing alongside Kobe Bryant. He has size 23 feet and his Shaqtin’ a Fool segment on Inside the NBA, that highlights NBA player bloopers has built a worldwide cult following.
He won NBA Rookie of the Year and became a 15-time All Star and NBA MVP. He was recently selected to be in NBA 75th Anniversary team alongside some of the other biggest names in the sport.
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Outside of basketball, O’Neal did his PHD in leadership and education and presiders over a hugely successful business empire that sees his net worth sit at around $400 million.
The Olympic gold medallist is also a DJ, going by the name of DJ Diesel, and has released four rap albums. He has acted in many Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Tickets for An Evening With Shaquille O’Neal go on sale via Ticketek on Thursday (March 31).
The tour is being presented by La Trobe Financial and The Hour Group with O’Neal to also appear at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on August 25.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Big Aristotle down under,” La Trobe Financial Charitable Foundation and Chairman of the Australian Basketball Players’ Association president Greg O’Neill said.
The Hour Group’s Emal Naim said: “Shaquille O’Neal has a big brand here in Australia, as an NBA champion and beloved personality in general. After a challenging two years in the entertainment industry, we are grateful La Trobe Financial has stuck by our side and we are excited to finally kick off our An Evening With series with this global icon.”
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