NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal lost $10,000 after a friendly bet tied to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
The wager came during a casual talk with his son Shareef O’Neal, who shared the moment on Instagram. Shaq asked who would win between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes.
“Who you got today, Ohio State or Miami?” Shaq asked.
Shareef picked Miami after recently moving there, and Shaq agreed to the bet.
“I’mma go Miami, ‘cuz i just moved from Miami,” Shareef said.
The result favored Miami, as the Hurricanes stunned Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl. Miami jumped ahead early and never lost control. A key play came when Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown. The run sent the Miami sideline into chaos and shifted the game’s tone.
Miami won 24-14 and moved on in the playoffs. So, Shaq lost his $10,000, and Shareef wrote, “10K BET!!! @shaq 😴😴😴”
The Hurricanes earned a spot in the semifinals despite entering the field as an at-large team. They now sit one win away from playing for a national title in their home stadium. It is one of the program’s biggest wins in years.
Ohio State entered the game as a heavy favorite but struggled with turnovers and pressure. Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin threw two interceptions and was sacked five times. The Buckeyes failed to repeat as national champions and saw their season end earlier than expected.
For Shaquille O’Neal, the loss barely dents his wealth. His net worth is estimated at $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Since retiring in 2011, O’Neal has built success as a broadcaster, businessman, and entertainer. He remains a major figure in sports media, with a huge supporter base.