Shaquille O’Neal, today, is perceived as an aloof but loveable character who was once the most fearsome center in the NBA. His decorated career in the NBA is worthy of all the praise. O’Neal, after all, is one of the greatest to ever play. He has won everything possible in the league.
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But off the court, Shaq’s life isn’t as decorated. He has done some very questionable things in his life. And one of those was the way he treated his ex-wife Shaunie.
Shaunie and Shaquille O’Neal were married in 2022 and divorced five years later in 2007. The two had ups and downs like any relationship. They had kids together and a happy life until Shaq cheated on Shaunie, multiple times. The messy divorce and the infidelity led to Shaq taking extreme steps when Shaunie appeared on a VH1 show.
Also read: Dennis Rodman Was Once Accused Of $42,000 In Unpaid Taxes Despite Receiving $43,000 From The State
Shaquille O’Neal sent VH1 a legal threat
As per TMZ, Shaq was convinced that Shaunie was plotting revenge against him. Shaunie was at the time working on the show VH1’s ‘Basketball wives.’ His paranoia reached a fever pitch and he ended up acting on it by sending a legal threat to the channel. By doing so, Shaq attempted to prevent Shaunie talking about him.
Having cheated on her so often, it’s intriguin what other scandals his ex-wife knew of. Even more so because Shaq was afraid of letting it come to public notice.
As per the documents acquired by TMZ, when Shaunie was still married to Shaq, she had signed a non disclosure agreement. This essentially allows the $400 million worth player from holding Shaunie accountable for anything she says about him in public.
His notice to VH1 was based on the same logic. If Shaunie discussed Shaq and VH1 showed that on the show, everyone involved would land in the court.
Shaq acknowledged the hurt he had caused Shaunie
In his book Shaq Uncut, O’Neal wrote about his infildelity. He claimed he had hurt Shaunie by cheating on her so often. The 7ft 1″ former center claimed that growing up, no girl had ever wanted him.
Now that he was a star, every woman wanted to be with him. The desire was reciprocated by Shaq. He confessed he was unable to stop himself. O’Neal also blamed his stardom for the difficultie in her relationship with Shaunie.
Perhaps O’Neal is right. Such stardom can indeed be difficult to navigate. However, what he did, all the cheating, cannot be justified so easily.
