Shaquille O'Neal will be first player to have his number retired by Magic

Ball Don’t Lie: Shaq’s reaction to getting his number retired in Orlando 💙 (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/Sfq64Ridw3 -via Twitter @Balldontlie / January 4, 2024

A man described as a “longtime acquaintance” of Shaquille O’Neal has sued the former NBA superstar and his production company Jersey Legends Productions alleging that he got stiffed out of promised payments. The complaint was filed by Donnie Wilson in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accusing O’Neal, his Jersey Legends Productions co-founder Michael Parris, as well as the company of itself of breach of contract and “numerous” labor code violations over an allegedly violated verbal agreement said to have been “legally binding.” -via New York Post / January 4, 2024

Wilson’s attorney Ron Zambrano of West Coast Employment Lawyers came out firing in a statement, referencing how O’Neal was accused of ducking getting served in the infamous FTX class-action suit for months. “Shaquille O’Neal certainly can come across as everyone’s best friend, just a big jovial guy — apparently until he owes you money. He hid from attorneys for months trying to serve him in a class-action lawsuit over the bankrupt FTX crypto exchange and his endorsements of the company and now he’s basically doing the same with Mr. Wilson, hiding from his financial obligations,” Zambrano said. “It’s just shameful behavior by a celebrity of his status.” -via New York Post / January 4, 2024