Shaq is once again helping out one of the communities where he lives… lending his star-power and more to a great cause, this time in Las Vegas.
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which provides support for children’s programs in several communities, is holding its first event in Las Vegas. (Yes, Shaq has a place there.)
The Foundation says its first Vegas event will be a big fundraising concert and party at the MGM Grand Garden on October 2nd. Some big names have already announced they’ll be there to perform, including Justin Bieber, Imagine Dragons, Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson as the first announced headliners.
The event is called The Event (oddly enough). One of the board members of the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is Elaine Wynn, one of the big names in hospitality and philanthropy in Vegas. She told a local newspaper: “Shaquille just a good, loyal neighbor. When he moves in, he really does care about the families. His care for children is genuine. It’s not frivolous.”
More big stars are expected to be added to the lineup, and the big man himself will probably be part of the show. Word is Shaq plans to take the stage with Snoop Dogg for rap…and he’s promised it will be “PG-13” – mostly kid and family-friendly.
O’Neal has held a part-time residence in Las Vegas for about 20 years, and he also has several local business interests. Of course he lives in Atlanta during the NBA season, to be close to the TNT network headquarters, where he works as part of the team of commentators for “Inside the NBA.”
In other comments to the newspaper, Shaq pushed the idea of an NBA team in Las Vegas, saying the city is built for an NBA team.
“Las Vegas has grown a lot, and there is a lot of want for an NBA team,” O’Neal said during a chat at his Foundation offices in a Vegas suburb. “I don’t want to go on the record too far, but I’m leaning toward most definitely.”
Shaq said the city’s infrastructure and support system for an NBA franchise are already in place. “Vegas can definitely sustain an NBA team,” he said. “We definitely have the fans, definitely have a supporting cast, and definitely have the sponsorship money. Hopefully it happens within the next five years.”
Shaq has been making some waves in Vegas lately. Just last week, Wynn Las Vegas announced O’Neal as a brand ambassador and consultant for its WynnBet wagering app. (Check recent posts here on the ShaqFu Radio blog for the full story.)
As for charity work in Vegas, Shaq has some big-name partners, including Andrew Pascal, the former Wynn Las Vegas president and chief operating officer and current CEO of PlayStudios CEO. Pascal met O’Neal formally through Shaq’s business and charity partner Perry Rogers.
“He’s just a really decent guy,” Pascal said. “The image people have of him, of being caring, fun-loving and wanting to promote and spread joy, that’s really who he is.” He says Vegas is a good fit for O’Neal. “Everything here is super-sized,” Pascal said. “It’s totally fitting to have Shaq be here, and be part of the community.”