Former Miami Heat player Shaquille O'Neal gifts shoppers free bags of his newly launched Shaq-a-licious gummies at a Walmart on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Doral, Fla. By Matias J. Ocner
What’s better than supersized snack idea from a supersized former Miami Heat star?
Shaquille O’Neal just dropped some new fruit candy in the shape of sneakers. So, Shaq is back with Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies that reflect his love for hoops and footwear.
The new lineup features three flavors: mango, lime and strawberry. The gummies, which just hit the shelves, join the original and sour varieties.
“Shaq-A-Licious started with a big idea — make candy that’s bold, fun, and full of flavor. Now we’re stepping it up,” O’Neal said. “I’ve been part of this from the start, from the flavors to the shapes, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. This is just the beginning.”
In August 2024, O’Neal made a surprise appearance at a Doral Walmart to launch his line of snacks shaped like his face. Now, he sees the expansion of his fruit snack products as a way of sharing his larger than life personality with the world.
Shaquille O’Neal’s new fruity snacks now come in sneaker shapes. Courtesy photo
“Hershey’s approached me and it took months of coming up with the characters and flavors,” O’Neal told the Miami Herald. “We went to the Hershey factory in Pennsylvania and it’s something fun. I’m the ambassador of fun.”
Former Miami Heat player Shaquille O’Neal gifts shoppers free bags of his newly launched Shaq-a-licious gummies at a Walmart on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Doral, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
MORE: Larger than life: This Miami basketball champion just released some new fruity snacks
The new sneaker shapes of the fruit snacks were inspired by O’Neal’s size 22 shoes.
The 53-year-old O’Neal has become as famous for his business acumen as he is for his Hall of Fame basketball career.
The seven-foot-one Shaq played with the Heat from 2004 to 2008 and won an NBA championship with Dwyane Wade, the Heat’s first, in 2006.
O’Neill also could be seen around town, during and after his Heat career, as a reserve police officer for several local departments, including in Doral, Golden Beach and Miami Beach.
Now, O’Neill is an NBA analyist on TV, a philanthropist and a pitchman for many national brands like Icy Hot.