Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, known for his towering presence on the basketball court, is now making waves as he ventures deep within the candy industry. Teaming up with The Hershey Company, O'Neal is launching Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies, set to hit shelves nationwide.
Described as “an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador,” O'Neal is already far beyond his basketball accolades. Though he proudly boasts four NBA championships, his achievements extend to acting, philanthropy, and education. The new gummies add yet another unique accomplishment to his diverse portfolio.
According to Food & Wine, Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies will be available starting October 2024. The product will feature both sour and original flavors: with the sour bag offering tropical tastes like pineapple, mixed berry, and watermelon, and the original showcasing classics like orange, berry punch, and peach. An exciting twist is the gummy molds capturing O'Neal's face, attracting attention and humor.
“All the people who are mad at me — or mad at anybody — just bite my face off!” O'Neal exclaimed when talking about the whimsical approach to shaping the gummies, emphasizing the fun aspect of his product. He sees himself as “the biggest kid in the candy store,” combining his playful personality with sweet innovation.
O'Neal's fascination with sweets traces back to his childhood spent on military bases, particularly those steeped in German candy culture. Reflecting on his youth, he shared memories of trying Coke-flavored gummies and reveling at candy-centric events, stating, “Candy was my way of knowing I was doing good.” With this latest venture, he aims to rekindle those fond memories for himself and his fans.
But candy isn't the only focus for the former center. O'Neal is also tapping his entrepreneurial spirit through his fast-casual chicken chain, Big Chicken, which recently opened its first location in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The announcement came shortly after news of a new crowdfunding initiative, spearheaded by Darren Marble, the CEO of CrowdfundX.
Big Chicken is redefining the fast-casual chicken market, promising premium flavors and memorable guest experiences. Marble initially revealed the venture, including details about securing $750,000 for future growth, through vibrant social media announcements, aiming to stir interest among investors.
“Interested in being ‘last money in’ to Shaq’s Big Chicken deal?” Marble asked, casting potential investors’ attention toward this promising opportunity. The overall valuation of Big Chicken stands at $37.5 million, and Marble is optimistic about what lies ahead.
Interestingly, O'Neal's most recent endeavors have also led him to explore the world of artificial intelligence. Once apprehensive about technology's impact on the workforce, he has recently embraced AI's potential benefits, even investing in AI-driven education platforms like Edsoma. At the same time, he partners with Marble to inject AI principles within the growth strategy of Big Chicken.
O’Neal expressed his belief, captured well by Marble's insights, saying, “Big Chicken is redefining the fast-casual chicken market with premium flavors and unforgettable guest experiences.” These innovations represent O’Neal’s growing interest to intertwine technology with the intricacies of the food industry.
Marble has suggested there could be broader engagements, hinting at collaborative media builds around Big Chicken and O’Neal's family. Such fusion of personalities could possibly see O’Neal’s mother and daughter joining forces for future projects, cementing O'Neal's legacy beyond the court.
O'Neal's progression from sports legend to multifaceted entrepreneur highlights his capability of engaging diverse markets, whether through nostalgic candy or innovative fast food. He brings his exuberance to every role, emphasizing, “I just try to bring fun to everything I do, because life is all about fun.” O'Neal isn't just creating products; he's crafting experiences, epitomizing the true spirit of entrepreneurship.
