We know our man Shaq isn’t just big in the worlds of sports or business… he’s also no stranger to spending big, especially on stuff he really wants, and often, to help out others in need. This week on his very own “Big Podcast With Shaq,” O’Neal had the perfect response when YouTube superstar MrBeast claimed he could outspend the NBA legend on a single Walmart shopping spree.
With an estimated net worth of $500 million in 2024, Shaq has earned his fortune not only from his Hall of Fame basketball career but also through endorsements, sponsorships, and his long-running role on TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA.’ Over the years, he’s made his fair share of jaw-dropping purchases, but few are as legendary as his infamous Walmart shopping spree.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
Back in 2008, after being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Shaq needed to stock up on essentials for his new apartment. But when Shaq goes shopping, he doesn’t do it like the rest of us. As he recalled in a 2018 interview with James Corden on ‘The Late, Late Show,’ he went on a Walmart spending spree in the middle of the night, picking up everything from TVs and laptops to underwear and towels—racking up a staggering $70,000 bill. The only problem? His credit card got declined.
“The American Express security team called me and said, ‘Hey man, somebody stole your credit card and they just spent $70,000 at Walmart.’ I said, ‘Nah, that was me.’ And they were like, ‘What the hell are you buying for $70,000?’” Shaq recounted with a laugh.
Fast-forward to 2025, and MrBeast—real name Jimmy Donaldson—thinks he can top Shaq’s record-setting Walmart tab. The YouTube mogul, who boasts an industry-leading 354 million subscribers as of February, recently appeared on Shaq’s ‘The Big Podcast’ and shared his ambitious plan: he wants to walk into a Walmart and buy everything in the store.
But Shaq, always quick with a witty comeback, shut down the idea immediately. “They’re not gonna let you do that,” he told MrBeast.
Undeterred, MrBeast came up with a workaround. He explained that while Walmart wouldn’t allow him to clear out a fully stocked store, his team was trying to find a location that was already set to close down. “What they don’t want is for someone to buy everything while they’re restocking shelves—it’s not a good look for them,” MrBeast said. “So we’re trying to pull it off this year.”
And if he succeeds? The final bill could be something truly absurd. “Imagine I just walk into Walmart, pull up with 30 18-wheelers, and buy everything on the shelf. The bill might be $7 million or something ridiculous,” MrBeast added. “And then I donate it all to charity.”
Whether or not MrBeast manages to outdo Shaq’s legendary shopping spree, one thing is certain—Shaq’s Walmart flex remains one of the greatest in history. And even if MrBeast’s big plan works, it’s hard to beat the sheer hilarity of Shaq’s credit card company thinking his spending spree was fraud.
One thing’s for sure: when it comes to going big, Shaq and MrBeast are in a league of their own!