The 2023 NBA All-Star has kicked off and so far it is looking good. Celebrities had their fun in the NBA All-Star Celebrity games and it was an exciting watch. Nonetheless, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and Jimmy Kimmel’s live correspondent shared a hilarious exchange. The exchange involved a pizza that tested Shaq’s loyalty to the pizza chain, Papa John’s with whom he is in a deal.
Shaquille O’Neal has made a name for himself, by getting in huge endorsement deals on all fronts. Big Diesel is one of the richest NBA stars, thanks to the wealth he accumulated from outside the NBA. Even after hanging his jersey he is still earning a huge sum of money and lives lavishly. However, at the All-Star Celebrity game, Guillermo approached O’Neal with a pizza box from The Pie Pizzeria. Shaq took one look at the box and refused to take a slice of pizza.
Shaq wasn’t trying to mess up his bag with Papa Johns 💀 pic.twitter.com/fWnQvVf2G9
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 18, 2023
It was only natural for Big Diesel to refuse pizza that is not Papa John’s. After all, he has invested in the pizza chain, and cannot promote a pizza of another brand. However, this exchange has surely made NBA fans react to the incident on Twitter.
Shaq pic.twitter.com/6QJQG1qUL8
— Deondre ❄️❄️☃️☃️(8-8-1) (13-1)💔💔 (@deondre2Account) February 18, 2023
Shaq was present for the All-Star Celebrity game and still made the NBA world have a crack. Guillermo may be wondering why Shaq refused to take a slice, he could be seen confused after he refused his offer. The pair know each other as Shaq has been on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
How much is the deal between Shaquille O’Neal and Papa John’s worth?
Shaquille O’Neal during his NBA career has earned a huge amount of money from endorsement deals. Big Diesel last year in April decided to renew his deal with the pizza chain Papa John’s, and is a board member of the $2.9 billion company. Shaq will be with the pizza chain till 2025. During this, he will be racking up $11 million in cash and stock. In the next 3 years, Shaq will get $5.625 million in cash.
Now that Shaquille O’Neal has joined the Papa John’s family, “The A” is about to be poppin’. Join @Shaq & his friends at 990 State Street NW on August 24 for the grand opening of his new @PapaJohnsATL store. Y’all know what it is! #ShaqsPizzaParty 🌎 ❤️ 🍕 ❤️ 🌍 pic.twitter.com/QSGDBCz3EZ
— Papa Johns Pizza (@PapaJohns) August 20, 2019
Shaquille O’Neal first signed a deal with Papa John’s in 2019. During this, the company was surrounded by controversies around founder John Schnatter. Since his arrival at the pizza chain, the company is doing better than it did before his involvement. Papa John’s even has a pizza on the menu, “Shaqaroni Pizza.” It only makes sense, as any kind of pizza other than Papa John’s will invite problems for him.