One of the online sports betting industry’s most popular operators, DraftKings, has signed NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to become its brand ambassador.
Mr. DraftKings
Shaquille O’Neal has had his share of nicknames, but now he wants the world to know him as Mr. DraftKings. On Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings posted on X: Diesel, Superman, Big Aristotle, and now… Mr. DraftKings. Welcome to the team, @SHAQ.
Welcome indeed. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most recognizable names in sports, even though it has been 13 years since he last played in the NBA. Ironically, his last stop in the league was as a member of the Boston Celtics, the hometown of his new employer, DraftKings.
“DraftKings is thrilled to welcome NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to the family,” said Stephanie Sherman, DraftKings’ Chief Marketing Officer. “Shaq’s personality and unparalleled energy will elevate our brand through various marketing initiatives all NBA season. His enormous presence matches our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our players.”
For those who may not be familiar with Shaquille O’Neal’s extensive resume and why he is a highly coveted product spokesperson, his NBA accomplishments are below.
- 4× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2006)
- 3× NBA Finals MVP (2000–2002)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
- 15× NBA All-Star (1993–1998, 2000–2007, 2009)
- 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009)
- 8× All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000–2006)
- 2× NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)
The Orlando Magic selected the 7’1” O’Neal as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft before leaving in 1996 for a chance to play with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. The dynamic duo won three NBA championships in LA before Shaq took his talents to Miami and helped the franchise to its first NBA title in 2006 with a young Dwyane Wade leading the Heat’s offense.
LeBron Is Also Part of the DK Family
Earlier this year, DraftKings inked LeBron James to a long-term deal to represent the brand and serve as a “talent ambassador around football and key tentpole events.”
In a press release, the company said, “Welcoming one of the most influential and greatest athletes of all time, LeBron James, to the DraftKings family is an absolute honor and privilege. We look forward to working with a passionate sports fan who shares the same competitive mindset that echoes throughout the walls at DraftKings while delivering exciting engagement opportunities to our customers and his loyal fanbase for years to come.”
In an interesting twist, LeBron cannot expound on basketball in his capacity as a DraftKings ambassador due to NBA regulations. However, he can wax prosaic on football, which is precisely what he has done on behalf of the nation’s industry co-leader.
LeBron and comedian Kevin Hart have starred in two popular DraftKings commercials this football season, with Hart taking shots at LeBron’s age. Ironically, Hart is 45, five years older than the soon-to-be 40-year-old LeBron.
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