12. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
One of the greatest basketball players to touch the ball, Shaquille O’Neal is the definition of the next hustle. Dr. O’Neal has a doctorate in education. Has invested $80 million as a land developer/ contractor in his hometown of Newark to build “Shaq Tower.” He has dabbled in almost anything that you could possibly think of.
It is approximated that he is worth about $400 million. He has a Krispy Kreme franchise, a Big Chicken restaurant, a shopping center, a cinema, 9 Papa Johns Pizza spots (serving as a brand ambassador), 17 Auntie Annie’s Pretzels restaurants, 40 24-hour fitness centers, several Las Vegas nightclubs, 150 car washes, and he used to be a partner in 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants (which according to CNBC is about 10% of the entire franchise).
Shaq has been an actor, starring in films like “Steel,” “Scary Movie 4,” “Kazaam,” “Uncle Drew,” “Show Dogs,” “Grown Ups 2,” “The Lego Movie,” and “The Smurfs 2” (we were not about name all 40+ of his movies, TV appearances and acting opportunities).
He is a party rocker, spending his time as DJ Diesel and touring all across the world, and spinning records in stadiums, clubs, and personal parties. He has wrestled with the WWE and is a producer and owner of a stand-up comedy franchise that opens the doors for up-and-coming comedians.
On his Linkedin profile, the NBA All-star says that he was “an early adopter of technology” and has “identified innovative organizations as a serial tech investor.” He has had numerous brand ambassador deals, with companies like Turner Networks, Reebok, IcyHot, AT&T, Post Foods, and the General (car insurance). He has been a rapper and a label owner. He has had his own apparel and sneakers. He is a partner is Zyloware Eyewear. He is an author and wrote his first children’s book, “Little Shaq” six years ago. He is an NBA analyst and is a part-owner of the Sacramento Kings.
That sure is exhausting. But there is more. He is most proud of working in law enforcement. In 2016, he was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Clayton County, Georgia.
Shaq is 49-years-old and still has a gang of life to make more moves.