Back in 1996, Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic for free. O’Neal was not happy with the way the franchise had treated him and wanted a $115 million contract to stay. However, Orlando Magic refused the demand, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a poll asking fans if they thought Shaq was worth $115 million. O’Neal was playing in the 1996 Olympics when the poll happened, with 91% of participants responding with no.
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The Lakers legend was ridiculed by USA teammates Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen, who claimed that Shaq’s own fans did not want him. Speaking via Shaq Uncut, Shaquille later claimed that the overall experience was embarrassing for him.
Shaquille O’Neal reveals Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley ridiculed him over Orlando Sentinel poll
Shaq eventually signed a 7-year $121 million deal with the LA Lakers. The Orlando Magic ended up matching that offer but to no avail.
Regardless, before his move, the Orlando Sentinel had come out with two polls related to O’Neal. Shaq was rumored to have demanded the sacking of coach Brian Hill, a request he revealed was actually made by Penny Hardaway instead.
91% of people claimed that O’Neal was not worth $115 million, while 82% said that Hill should not be fired if that was Shaq’s condition of returning.
This led to the likes of Barkley and Pippen roasting Shaquille O’Neal. In his book, Shaq said that the experience was embarrassing, especially because it was actually Hardaway who wanted Hill to be sacked:
“I wasn’t calling for Brian Hill to be fired. I had my issues with him, but they had the wrong superstar. It was Penny who had issues with BHill, not me. At the time the poll came out, I was playing for the 1996 Olympic team and we were training in Disney. I heard about that poll from all the fellas. Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen were ragging on me. They were saying things like, “Your own fans don’t want you.” I won’t lie to you—it was embarrassing.”
Charles Barkley asked Shaquille O’Neal to leave Orlando Magic
While Barkley might have been guilty of poking fun at Shaq, the two were friends ever since their playing days. Apart from the results of the poll, some fans had also made racist comments due to O’Neal’s salary demands.
When Barkley found out, he was stunned and questioned Magic fans. He claimed that the franchise did not deserve him, and wanted his friend to leave as soon as he could:
“Are you f**king kidding me? You bring glory to this redneck, one-horse town, and this is what they think of you? Get out as soon as you can. F**k these people.”
The Orlando Magic has to date not won a single NBA title. Shaquille O’Neal finished his career with 4 rings, which includes 3 back-to-back titles that he won with the LA Lakers. Needless to say, Shaq did more than enough to prove he was worth much more than $115 million.
