Shaquille O’Neal Explains Investment Strategy Into Ring, Esports Team NRG & 'Shaq Fu' Video Game

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Interview Transcription:

Question: You’ve had your investments with pre-IPO Google, Five Guys, 24 Hour Fitness. Why did you get into esports? Why was that important for you?

Answer: I took my son to a tournament one time at Staples Center one time. He’s like, ‘dad, I want to go watch some kids play games.’ I’m like, ‘what are you talking about?’ So I took him to the Staples Center and it’s packed. So I dug into a little bit and found out what was going on and got with some partners. My partner was Sacramento Kings [owner] Vivek Ranadive. He got me involved in esports and we help start NRG. And we’ve been very, very successful.

Question: There are people from traditional sports like Rick Fox and Mark Cuban who are in esports as owners as well. Why do you consider it a viable business plan and alternative?

Answer: The older I got, I realized that investments wise, if it’s going to change someone's life and make them happy, it’s probably a good thing to invest in. Everytime I go to these shows, they are similar to NFL and NBA games. The amount of people in attendance at these functions is here to stay. I like how they rotate between shooting, fighting and racing games. It’s beautiful. You watch the passion that these kids play with. Esports is here to stay.

Question: What are you hoping to learn from someone like Andy Miller, who brings vision and background from a traditional company?

Answer: Dwight Eisenhower said, ‘the greatest leaders are the ones who are happy to have people who are smarter around them.’ Andy Miller is a brilliant guy. A lot of times he’s the one that can foresee the vision, and we as partners we just either go with or not. Whenever Andy does something, I’m always in.

Question: Esports is catered to a digital native audience. How are you going to use your personal brand and platform to market your presence in the space?

Answer: Anytime I can promote the sport, I will. I have a large social media following. Anytime I can let people know what’s going on in the esports culture, I’m happy to do that

Question: You’ve played in some tournaments as well like Street Fighter and League of Legends.

Answer: I got killed by the beautiful WWE diva Natalie. But I beat her before too.

Question: You’ve had your own video game in the past. What kind of presence do you want to play in video games moving forward.

Answer: My Shaw Fu 2 is coming out. Shaq Fu 1 was so terrible it became a cult classic.

Question: Your famous for your personality and character and that also helps you broker deals as a businessman, too. How are you looking to evolve in emerging spaces moving forward?

Answer: I just look for companies who want to change people’s lives, better people’s lives and that’s how I’ve been investing for the last 10-to-15 years, and it’s been damn near perfect. Everytime I go in and try to make a quick buck, it never happens like that. For example, Ring. Everybody needs home security. A digital doorbell for your phone. I think that was a great investment for me.

Question: You work with a lot of brands. Kobe, for example, when I had a conversation with him, he’s talking about going into the Nike boardroom and talking to the marketers and creatives. How do you heighten the marketing?

Answer: I’ve always been the marketer and creator. I’ve always had the ability and access to create all of my own spots. When you deal with the Shaq brand, you’re dealing with a brand that’s promoting fun. Every spot that I do has a fun aspect to it.

Question: If you can give one advice to brands and marketers, what would it be?

Answer: I wouldn’t give them any advice. To each his own. I just know that my formula has always worked for me. With so much going on in the world today, at the end of the spot, I want to see somebody laugh.