Shaquille O’Neal is known as one of the most dominant players in NBA history, but his life off the court is just as interesting. From smart investments to hilarious stories, Shaq never fails to entertain. Incredibly, one of his most memorable stories took place at Walmart (NYSE:WMT).
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It all started when Shaq moved from Miami to Phoenix. He arrived late at night, only to find his new apartment empty. Not being the type to wait, Shaq decided to take care of the situation right away. He went to Walmart at 2 or 3 in the morning to buy everything he needed for his home: sheets, towels, laptops, printers, t-shirts, underwear, you name it.
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By the time he had filled his cart, the total was $70,000. At Walmart. Shaq now jokes that it was the “biggest purchase in Walmart history.”
But when he went to pay, something surprising happened. Shaq’s credit card was declined. He tried again, but it was declined a second time. He was confused and said, “I know I’m not broke,” so he decided to leave and figure it out later.
Not long after, Shaq got a call from American Express security. They thought someone had stolen his card because they saw a suspicious $70,000 charge at Walmart. When Shaq explained that he had made the purchase, they couldn’t believe it. The rep asked, “Why are you spending $70,000 at Walmart?”
Shaq’s answer? “Because I’m Shaq.”
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He’s always had a keen eye for smart investments, as evidenced by his decision to invest in the security company Ring. When Shaq needed a security system for one of his three homes in Atlanta, a security company asked him for $80,000. Even though he’s worth millions, Shaq knew that price was too high. While shopping at Best Buy, he saw Ring cameras and purchased a DIY solution.
Not only did he install the system himself, but he realized how powerful it was when he was able to monitor his home while traveling in China. Impressed, Shaq tracked down the CEO at a tech conference and offered to invest in the company, which he later did. A few years later, Amazon acquired Ring for $1 billion, and Shaq’s investment turned into a huge profit, as did many of his other ventures.
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Interestingly, Shaq’s fortune, estimated at around $500 million, isn’t something he plans to pass on to his children. He’s made it clear that they’ll have to work for it. And he doesn’t just want them to get one college degree—he expects them to get two.
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This article ‘I Know I’m Not Broke’ – Shaquille O’Neal’s Card Was Declined at Walmart After Attempting ‘The Largest Purchase in Walmart History’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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