What Does Shaq Use as a Phone? An Extremely Outdated Flip Phone

Retired basketball superstar Shaquille O‘Neal, affectionately known as "Shaq", recently caused an uproar on social media when he was spotted using an ancient Motorola flip phone. Given Shaq‘s immense wealth and celebrity status, many fans were shocked and amused that he relies on such a dated device instead of the latest iPhone or Android smartphone.

As photos of Shaq‘s flip phone spread across Twitter and Instagram, they were met with disbelief and mockery:

• "I can‘t believe Shaq still owns a Motorola", one follower remarked, clearly astonished that the NBA legend relies on the very outdated Motorola.

• "Shaq hasn‘t upgraded his phone since his first NBA contract!" another joked.

• Memes popped up poking fun at the idea of the 7‘1" Shaq trying to use a tiny flip phone.

• "That phone Shaq uses is so old, it can legally buy alcohol!" one fan quipped.

But behind the sneering and jokes lies a legitimate question – why does one of the richest athletes on the planet opt for such a dated device? And what phone does Shaq actually use in 2022? Let‘s investigate the big man‘s even bigger phone mystery.

Shaq‘s Phone History – A Fan of Old School Mobiles

Based on previous comments from Shaq himself, he seems to have loyalty to simpler, classic mobile phones rather than modern smartphones:

• 2009 – Google Android Phone – Back when Android was still new, Shaq was an early adopter spotted with a Google G1, suggesting he appreciated having smartphone capability over a decade ago.

• 2013 – Endorsed iPhone 5C – While his personal phone is basic, Shaq did partner with Apple to promote the iPhone 5C, showing he keeps up with tech trends.

• 2022 – Motorola Razr Flip Phone – In recent years, Shaq has been seen relying on an older Motorola Razr flip phone model as his daily device.

So while Shaq is clearly not anti-tech, he prefers durable, practical phones for his own regular use rather than top-of-the-line smartphones.

Next, let‘s look at how you can actually get in touch with the Big Diesel directly if needed…

Here‘s How to Contact Shaq Directly

Wondering what Shaq‘s personal phone number is so you can hit him up? Shaq himself shared it publicly:

Text Shaq At: 818-583-8345

He provided the number on Instagram and welcomed fans to text him anytime.

Pretty cool that a celeb of his stature makes his phone so readily available to the public. Just maybe don‘t blow up his 1990s era flip phone with too many messages at once!

Now let‘s examine Shaq‘s sprawling business empire and investments over the years…

Major Companies and Franchises Owned by Shaq, the Investor

In addition to being one of the most dominant NBA players ever during his 19-year career, Shaq has proven to be equally adept at business. He‘s amassed an expansive portfolio with ownership stakes in over 50 companies and franchises.

Some of Shaq‘s top investments and brands include:

• Fast Food Restaurants – Shaq loves food almost as much as basketball! He owns 9 Krispy Kreme locations and 9 Papa John‘s pizza franchises. He previously owned 27 Five Guys burgers and 17 Auntie Anne‘s pretzels before selling them.

• Fitness Centers – Shaq owns one franchise of 24 Hour Fitness. He was drawn to the brand‘s commitment to community impact and supporting youth sports.

• Ring Security Company – Shaq was an early investor in Ring home security, which was later acquired by Amazon for over $1 billion in 2018. His stake netted him huge profits.

Shaq‘s ability to spot startup companies with major growth potential, like Ring, has contributed enormously to his immense net worth.

Speaking of worth, let‘s look at Shaq‘s affordable shoe empire next…

Shaq‘s Extremely Lucrative Shoe Deal with Walmart

In addition to his food and tech investments, Shaq has earned a massive fortune through his discounted shoe line sold exclusively at Walmart:

• Shaq‘s affordable shoes retail for as low as $12.88 per pair.

• Since launch, the Shaq shoe brand has sold an astonishing 120 million pairs according to Shaq himself.

• In contrast, Shaq‘s premium shoes with Reebok sell for around $70 per pair.

Offering low-cost shoes enabled Shaq to tap into a wider mainstream market of value-focused families. The partnership with Walmart gave him a promotional boost as well.

“Laugh all you want, the Shaq brand has sold over 120 million pairs of affordable shoes,” Shaq pointed out on Facebook.

So while Shaq wears budget phones himself, he‘s clearly not afraid to offer budget shoes to his fans!

Shaq‘s Diverse Investment Portfolio Makes Him $400M

Now let‘s look at Shaq‘s full investment portfolio beyond the major companies he owns. The man is involved with diverse businesses across many industries:

• Tech Investments – Early investor in Google, Apple, and Ring (before Amazon purchase).

• Sports Teams – Joint owner of the Sacramento Kings and Las Vegas Aces NBA teams.

• Endorsements – Global brand ambassador for brands like IcyHot and Carnival Cruise Line.

• Auto Services – Owns over 40 car washes and lube centers across the US through Shaq Auto Centers.

• Nightlife – Owner of various nightclubs and restaurants located in Las Vegas.

• Real Estate – Has invested in numerous residential and commercial properties across the country.

• Retail – Minority owner in various Walmart and J.C. Penney locations.

Shaq‘s ability to recognize growth opportunities early, couple with leverage his celebrity status for partnerships has enabled him to build a broad business portfolio and become an esteemed investor.

While his phone may be outdated, Shaq‘s total net worth is estimated to be roughly $400 million thanks to his sprawling investments and corporate partnerships well beyond basketball.

Shaq‘s Lavish Lifestyle Despite Cheap Phone

Now you might be wondering – if Shaq is so rich, why does he use discount phones and not splurge on himself more?

While Shaq keeps his phone choice simple, he certainly enjoys the finer things in life based on his real estate and vehicle collections:

• Mansions – Shaq owns multi-million dollar homes across Florida, California, and elsewhere. His Florida estate spans 31,000 feet and includes 17 bathrooms!

• Supercars – The big man has a well-known love of exotic cars. His collection includes Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and more.

• Jewelry – Shaq loves wearing big diamond watches, chains, and rings. He spends six figures at a time on new jewelry.

So while Shaq avoids lavish phones, he happily splurges on mansions, sports cars, and shiny diamonds suits his lifestyle!

Shaq Savvy: Frugal Phone, Splurge Elsewhere

When it comes to his phone choices, Shaq seems to take a minimalist mindset by choosing basic devices he finds reliable and practical. As he told one reporter: "It‘s just a phone – why do you need to do all that?"

But for items that align more directly with his luxurious lifestyle, like homes and cars, Shaq is happy to spend big.

This two-pronged approach of being frugal on low priority items (like phones) while splurging on indulgences (like mansions) demonstrates Shaq‘s business savvy and ability to maximize value in his life.

While he could surely afford any phone on the market, a basic device just isn‘t a priority for someone like Shaq. He focuses his spending on things that matter most to his lifestyle.

And given Shaq‘s $400 million net worth, it‘s hard to argue with his spending philosophy!

So next time you see Shaq or another celeb using an outdated phone, remember – just because they can afford the latest gadget doesn‘t mean they want to buy it! Frugality comes in all forms.