NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal is world famous and wealthy beyond his dreams. But his riches and fame didn’t matter to a real estate agent when he tried to buy a home for his mother in 2019.
During an appearance on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast in July 2021, the former Lakers superstar said a real estate agent disrespected him.
Shaq said the realtor asked to run a credit check on him while he was trying to buy a house for his mother.
Shaq, who earned $292 million in his NBA playing days, was stunned by her request.
“I was, like, ‘I beg your pardon?’” he recalled. “My mom was, like, ‘Baby, don’t do that,’ and I was, like, ‘Hold on mama, she disrespected me.’”
The ex-NBA baller told the real estate agent he was more than capable of making the purchase in cash. He demanded a 10-day closing period.
Shaq’s ordeal is another example of credit discrimination.
The real estate agent would never think to run a credit check on former NFL great Tom Brady.
READ ALSO: Car salesman disrespects Black man with 440 credit score
Yesterday, I wrote a post about a car salesman who disrespected a Black man simply because he had a 440 credit score.
It is illegal to discriminate against people based on race or color. But Shaq’s story proves even Black multi-millionaires face discrimination.
Shaquille has a net worth of $500 million. He is pictured with his ex-wife Shaunie during happier times in 2019.
“It’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep,” Shaq told CNBC. “Save 75% of your earnings and put it away. Use the other 25% as you please.”
Shaq’s investment portfolio includes restaurant franchises, such as Papa John’s, Auntie Anne’s and Krispy Kreme. He was also an early investor in Google, and he acquired a stake in Ring before it was bought by Amazon.
