When it comes to popular sports figures, perhaps no one is more electric than the one and only Shaquille O’Neal. The former NBA finals winner has countless fans across the globe, and a lot of people know about his success in the business world. That’s why people are so excited that Shaq is opening another restaurant in Las Vegas, which is actually opening its doors on Thursday, Jan. 12.
Shaq already has one of his ‘Big Chicken’ locations open in Las Vegas, but with the success that he’s seen, he decided to open up another spot. This is fantastic news for so many people, as Big Chicken has been a great investment for him. Not only do people love the food there, but they also love that they’re supporting O’Neal in this venture. All in all, this has been awesome to see in the early stages.
With a second location opening in Las Vegas, this just speaks to the popularity of the chain. There are other cities featuring the Big Chicken, with the list including Los Angeles, Seattle, and more. In a recent interview, Shaq said that he’s hoping to open up a ton more spots shortly. Shaq is no stranger to owning businesses, and his latest move is something that has people fired up. It’s also special for his loved ones.
It’s personal,” O’Neal said in a recent interview on the items available for purchase at his restaurants across the country. “I wanted them all to have names and identities, stories behind the sandwiches.”
Shaq is no stranger to opening new restaurants and locations
What’s important to keep in mind here is that Shaq is no stranger to opening new restaurants and locations. Over the years, Shaq has owned more than 150 ‘Five Guys restaurants. While playing in the NBA, he made a ton of money with his lucrative contracts, and he’s kept things rolling with so many great new projects as well. For O’Neal, the fun in Las Vegas and support are so incredibly special.
For all of you fans out there who are eyeing the NBA betting odds and hoping to place wagers on the action, that won’t be an option at Shaq’s spots. There are no top-rated sportsbooks, including the reliable Bovada review, for people to take a look at while eating his food, but that’s not going to stop people from heading that way whatsoever. If anything, people will go eat at Shaq’s place, then head to the sportsbooks.
With the NBA in the heart of its season, too, the timing couldn’t be better for O’Neal to open the doors for his new location. One thing to remember is that the NFL postseason is also getting started this weekend. What’s the connection there for O’Neal, an NBA legend? Well, with the Wild Card Round here, people are checking the NFL betting odds and Las Vegas is going to see its tourism numbers grow.
Now, imagine people are heading into town, and they spot signs announcing that O’Neal’s new restaurant has just added a new location in Las Vegas. This will draw a lot of attention and give people more reasons to go and check it out. With so many changes to Las Vegas in the past couple of weeks and months, the news of Shaq’s second opening in the area is great.
Shaq surely has an eye on a Las Vegas NBA expansion team
With him being so savvy in the business, Shaq surely has an eye on a Las Vegas NBA expansion team potentially arriving shortly. For a while now, the word around the street has been that the NBA will add two teams at the start of the 2024-25 season. Right now, it’s looking like both Seattle, and Las Vegas will be the ones who end up getting new teams.
If this does happen, which is widely expected, then it’s only going to add to the high number of NBA fans in the area. Right now, hoops action is beloved by so many people in Sin City. Whenever the NBA Summer League makes its way to the area, places are packed with people-watching teams in action. It’s a great way for young talent to showcase their stuff, and people love seeing what the future holds for their top organizations.
With an expansion team, it’s only going to have the city buzzing for more and more NBA plays to be made. With Shaq not only having one but two restaurants open for people to check out, you know the places will be packed on several occasions with his biggest supporters in town. It’d be yet another reason for Lakers fans to make their way to Las Vegas – so they can show Shaq some love. This was a great business move by Shaq; no question about that.
With a background as a writer, Rodrigo has managed to bring together his hobbies and education writing sports content for various top-tier sites around the world.