SHAQUILLE O’Neal may be one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Lakers history, but the Hall of Famer is not the franchise’s new owner.
A viral social media post claiming that O’Neal had purchased all of the Buss family’s remaining shares and was set to become the Lakers’ next controlling owner spread rapidly online on August 18.
But there has been no official announcement from the NBA, the Lakers or O’Neal himself confirming such a transaction.
The timing of the false claim, however, came in the middle of a very real ownership battle involving the Buss family.
The Lakers’ ownership structure has undergone major changes since the NBA approved Mark Walter’s purchase of the franchise’s majority interest in 2025. At the time, the Buss family retained a minority stake, while Jeanie Buss was set to remain as the team governor.
Now, investor Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger have emerged as the reported buyers of the Buss family’s remaining stake in a transaction that could further reshape the future of one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.
The proposed sale, however, has sparked a family dispute.
Jeanie Buss is reportedly contesting her siblings’ plan to sell the family’s remaining 17.8-percent stake, with her legal camp arguing that the transaction cannot proceed without the necessary approval from the trust’s co-trustees.
The issue could also have major implications for Jeanie’s future as Lakers governor.
Amid all the legitimate drama surrounding the Buss family’s remaining shares, Shaq’s name suddenly entered the conversation through the viral report.
And perhaps that is why the claim was easy for many fans to believe.
O’Neal is forever connected to the Lakers after helping lead the franchise to three straight NBA championships from 2000 to 2002 alongside Kobe Bryant. He won Finals MVP in all three title runs and remains one of the most dominant players to ever wear the purple and gold.
He has also built a successful business career since retiring, making the idea of Shaq becoming an NBA owner seem believable.
But as of now, there is no deal, no announcement and no evidence that Shaquille O’Neal has purchased any stake in the Lakers.
The real story is already dramatic enough.
The Buss family is fighting over the future of its remaining ownership stake, Jeanie Buss is battling to maintain her position, and Kushner and Iger are the names connected to the reported transaction.
Shaq may always be a Lakers legend. But he isn’t the Lakers’ new owner. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
The post Reports that Shaq buying Buss family’s remaining Lakers stake turn out to be false first appeared on Fastbreak.
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