Key Point
- Shaquille O’Neal invested approximately $250,000 in Google back in 1999 after a chance encounter at a hotel, though details vary slightly across accounts.
- He literally forgot about the investment until discovering its massive growth through a newspaper, turning it into one of his biggest financial wins
- Evidence leans toward returns in the range of $16.5 million if shares were held long-term, though some reports claim higher figures like $400 million, highlighting the story’s mix of luck and opportunity.
- The episode underscores how being open to unexpected conversations can lead to life-changing outcomes, with Shaq’s only noted regret being not investing even more as Google grew into a multi-trillion-dollar giant.
Shaquille O’Neal, NBA champion, media personality, and business mogul, is known for many things, but one of his most fascinating stories is how he accidentally invested in Google in 1999. What began as a friendly gesture at a hotel lunch evolved into one of the most iconic investment stories in modern history.
Research indicates that Shaq invested approximately $250,000 in Google after a chance encounter. Years later, he discovered through a newspaper that he had made millions, possibly even hundreds of millions, depending on how long he held the shares.
His story brilliantly highlights the magic of serendipity, the power of curiosity, and the rewards of positioning yourself for opportunity.
As Albert Einstein once said:
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
For Shaq, opportunity showed up not in difficulty, but during lunch.
The conversation that changed everything
Accounts vary slightly, but most agree that Shaq was dining or relaxing at either:
- Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles, or
- Beverly Hills Hotel
While enjoying his meal, Shaq noticed a group of gentlemen having a business meeting with children at the table. Being naturally playful and charismatic, Shaq decided to entertain the kids, allowing the men to finish their conversation.
This simple act triggered everything.
One of the men, believed to be legendary Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway, walked over after the meeting, thanked Shaq, and introduced him to an exciting new search engine called Google.
According to Shaq, Conway explained:
“You’ll be able to type in anything… boom, boom, boom… and get results instantly.”
The pitch struck a chord. Shaq’s curiosity kicked in.
The investment Shaq literally forgot
After meeting Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Shaq decided to invest $250,000 during their 1999 Series A funding round. Google’s valuation at the time was around $100 million post-money, tiny compared to today.
But Shaq was busy chasing championships with the Lakers, filming commercials, and building his brand.
So, he did what almost no investor ever does:
He forgot he invested. Completely.
Years later, while flipping through a newspaper, he saw his name on a list of early Google backers.
He recalled:
“The newspaper told me how much I made, and I couldn’t believe it.”
This moment turned a forgotten investment into one of the greatest surprises of his financial life.
How much did Shaq actually make?
Estimates vary, which makes this story even more legendary.
Conservative Estimate:
If Shaq held all his shares until around 2024 (accounting for Google’s multiple stock splits), his $250,000 would have grown to roughly: $16.5 million
If Shaq never sold a single share since 1999, unlikely but fascinating, his stake could exceed: $400 million+
Regardless of the exact figure, the takeaway is clear:
Shaq made an extraordinary return from a simple act of kindness.
As Warren Buffett famously said:
“Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble.”
Shaq’s only regret aligns perfectly with this quote…
The Big Regret: Not Investing More
Shaq openly admits:
“I wish I would have bought more.”
Considering Alphabet (Google’s parent company) reached a market value of $3.9 trillion by 2025, it’s easy to understand why.
His regret teaches three major lessons:
✔ Lesson 1: Early tech investments can create generational wealth
Tech companies often start small and explode.
✔ Lesson 2: Stay open to unexpected conversations
A casual chat can change your financial future.
✔ Lesson 3: Trust experts but stay curious
Shaq didn’t understand Google deeply, but he trusted the right people.
Shaq’s Greater Investment Philosophy
Shaq’s decision to invest in Google wasn’t isolated. Over the years, he has built a powerful investment portfolio driven by simple rules:
Shaq’s investment principles:
- Trust credible experts
- Invest in companies that help people
- Don’t be afraid to take risks
- Diversify aggressively
- Stay humble and approachable
As Jeff Bezos famously said:
“If you’re not stubborn, you’ll give up on experiments too soon; and if you’re not flexible, you’ll pound your head against the wall, and you won’t see a different solution.”
Shaq’s flexibility in listening to unexpected opportunities served him well.
Shaq’s Investment Portfolio: A Snapshot
Below is a simplified version of Shaq’s most notable investments:
| Investment | Year | Initial Amount | Outcome / Returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google (Alphabet) | 1999 | $250,000 | $16.5M – $400M+ | Accidental, biggest win |
| Apple | Early 2000s | Undisclosed | Significant growth | Tech-focused portfolio |
| Ring | 2013 | Undisclosed | Sold to Amazon for $1B | Shaq appeared in ads |
| Vitaminwater | 2000s | Equity deal | Millions after Coke buyout | Major win |
| Lyft | Pre-IPO | Undisclosed | IPO in 2019 | Early ride-sharing bet |
| Starbucks (Passed) | 1990s | N/A | Missed opportunity | One of his regrets |
As Steve Jobs wisely said:
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
Looking back, Shaq’s Google investment is a dot that changed everything.
Critics, Variations & Viral Retellings
Some critics question whether Shaq really forgot the investment. Others debate:
- Which hotel it in
- Whether he babysat kids or just overheard a group
- How much he truly invested
- Whether he still holds shares today
However, one thing remains indisputable:
Shaq did invest in Google early.
The investment paid off massively.
His long-term relationship with Ron Conway further validates the story, with Shaq once saying:
“If Ron likes it, I’ll check into it. If he doesn’t like it, I stay away.”
Final Takeaway
Shaq’s accidental Google investment isn’t just a lucky story; it’s a life lesson.
Shaq’s story proves that wealth doesn’t always come from complicated strategies. Sometimes, it comes from being kind, curious, and willing to listen.
As Shaq himself put it:
“I wish I had bought more.”
And that one sentence inspires millions of new investors today.
