Shaq Gives “Shaquille O’Deal” Tips With Klarna Campaign: “Save 75 Percent, Ball Out With 25”

Shaquille O’Neal is the perfect depiction of hard work, consistency, and having loads of fun. As one of the NBA’s greatest players of all time, the Hall of Famer has done what most people dream of doing in one lifetime: live out every passion of theirs. Trading in a basketball for a set of turntables, the 52-year-old retired athlete-turned-everything-else has released four rap albums (one of which went Platinum), acted in a ton of films, DJ’ed massive crowds, gave his million dollar takes as sports analyst, invested in multiple businesses such as his brand new “Shaqalicious” gummies, and so much more.

And yes, he’s eating the fruits of his labor.

Recently, Shaq revealed that he purchased one of the only few wide-body Tesla Cyber Trucks on the market, and he made it clear he needed no financial assistance. However, despite the former Lakers player being able to afford almost anything he desires, he’s still pulling back to help those who may need a bit of help when making purchases.

The New Jersey native has now partnered with the AI-powered global payments network and shopping assistant Klarna to highlight its new cashback features and exclusive deals available to its users. The app includes a range of stores that offer the convenience of “buying now, and paying later,” with options of splitting a total cost into four or more payments.

“It’s just something different. It’s something everyone loves to do,” Shaq stated to VIBE. “When you focus on the things people enjoy, a lot of time it will be a success. I like to think everyone knows who Shaquille O’Neal is, so, when we hit them with the ‘Shaquille O’Deal,’ they’ll be like, ‘Well, what is this?’ and it will then take them inside that app and hopefully they’ll make a purchase.”

While speaking more about the exciting opportunity, Shaq dropped gems about what he’s learned along the way to gaining financial freedom, and how others can make their money work for them.

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VIBE: How did this partnership fall into your lap?

Shaquille O’Neal: Let me tell you how I got introduced to Klarna. As a businessman and investor, I always look for new innovative ways to just see what’s going on out there, and AI is a big thing. I’ve actually watched Klarna grow into a fascinating AI-driven business when it comes to smart shopping. You, me, your mama, my mama, your auntie — everybody likes cash back and deals. I’m always big on my name, especially when it comes to wordplay, so I reached out to them, and was like, “Why don’t we do something called a Shaquille O’Deal.”

Have you personally used Klarna before?

Of course.

Me too, I love that app. Can you think back to a time when you wished you could afford something you really wanted, but couldn’t? And what was it?

A brand new car. So, I got a Pell Grant and at that time it was for $1,500. I bought a Bronco car for $1,200. Everybody else had brand new cars because their parents were well off, I put some wheels on it and put some dice [in the mirror] and did the thing. But I really wanted a brand new Nissan Maxima, and those at the time were like $30,000. I’m in college, I’m like, ‘I don’t have $30,000. I don’t even have enough to put the money down and I definitely can’t pay these $400 notes per month.’

With all of your success, how has your mindset changed when it comes to making purchases now?

I don’t focus on being successful. When I was young, my parents never had their own house, ever, and they worked hard, they just didn’t have it. [My father] was in the military, so we always had places to stay. There’s an ongoing [saying] that after three to five years, professional athletes go broke. Well, I bought my mom a house, and she’s happy. They didn’t know anything about wealth, so I had to learn it. I had to be the guy to take care of my family.

When I’m doing business deals, I don’t really think about success. I just know that I have to maintain my beautiful mother’s lifestyle because she maintained my lifestyle when I was young and this is just me paying her back. I always tell people, you have to have certain motivations to keep you going. Because I can retire right now — I want to, but nope. I love the fact that my mom doesn’t have to do anything and she can get anything she wants.

How did you learn the importance of financial responsibility?

A lot of times when you use the word financial responsibility, there’s a whole book that comes with it. I dummy it down for myself. One time, I got a check for $20 million because I sold something. I said, ‘You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to put $17 million away and inform my financial guy: Don’t let me look at it until I’m 35.’ That’s smart. You always tell people, ‘You got to invest, you got to do it,’ but you also got to know what you’re doing.

I asked this guy one time, ‘Hey, I’m rich, but you are wealthy. How do you do it?’ He had pulled out a hundred dollar bill and he ripped it in half. He said, ‘Hey, you can save this, but if you want to be wealthy’ — he ripped the half in half. In other words, you try to save 75 percent and ball out with the other 25 percent. A lot of people get $10 million and they spend $10 million. I would get $10 million and spend $2 million and then have that $8 million just sitting at the bank and then say, ‘Oh, I’m broke again,’ and then go get another $10 million, rather than just flossing and splurging.

That right there is a gem and many people don’t even think in that way. For you, why is using your platform to inform the public important?

I use my platform 60 percent to make you laugh, 30 percent to inspire you, and then 10 percent for exactly what you said. God is always watching, but there’s somebody up under him that can put me in check, a.k.a. my mama. So, I always have to make her smile. When social media first came out, I was one of the idiots that was like, ‘Oh, look I did this, I did that… look what I bought.’ And my mom didn’t like that. She’s would say, ‘Baby, stop it. We know who you are, we know what you do. You don’t need to do that.’

That’s when I came up with that 60-30-10 [concept]. When you see my face or hear my name, I want to be the guy to make you laugh. I know sometimes we hold celebrities in high regards, but I’m a regular person and if I do make a mistake, I just learn from my mistake.

Of all the many hats that you wear, whether that’s Father, Mentor, Businessman, Sports Analyst, Legendary athlete, DJ, which one do you have the most fun with?

They’re all fun because if it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be doing it. I’m really good at regulating time and just passing things off [to others]. I read a quote: ‘The greatest leaders are the ones smart enough to hire people that are smarter.’ For example, if I’m going to do a paper or do a magazine, I’m definitely going to call you and you’re going to do most of the work. If I had to do things by myself, it would definitely be messed up [laughs].

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