Shaquille O’Neal Launching Podcast Network, Reboots His ‘Big’ Show

Alex Weprin
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Shaquille O’Neal is launching a podcast network.

The NBA legend and NBA on TNT studio analyst is partnering with the sports entertainment company Playmaker HQ to launch The Big Podcast Network, which he hopes will serve as an incubator for athletes and other content creators to launch shows based in the world of sports, business and entertainment. Shaq’s Jersey Legends Productions will also produce the podcasts in the network.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The first show on the network will be a new edition of Shaq’s The Big Podcast, which previously was produced and distributed by WBD Sports. The new version of the podcast will see Shaq pair up with fellow TNT Inside the NBA host Adam Lefkoe and Playmaker HQ producer Shaine Freeman.

New episodes will run through the remainder of the NBA season and be available on The Big Podcast Network YouTube channel, WBD’s Bleacher Report, Max and on all the usual audio podcast platforms.

“I’m excited to work with Playmaker, a creative partner with a unique production and distribution process, to create my own podcast network,” said O’Neal in a statement. “The Big Podcast Network will prioritize and uplift fresh and diverse voices that will expand the conversation beyond sports to include music, fashion and entertainment.”

Indeed, Playmaker is pitching Shaq’s podcast network as a “new and innovative platform,” touting that athletes and creators that join it “will have access to Playmaker HQ’s management, production, distribution and monetization expertise while tapping into Shaq’s creative mind, promotion and vast network of resources.”

“From our first conversation, our visions were perfectly aligned, with both sides wanting to make a fun, creative and authentic show, as well as wanting to build a full-service platform to help other athletes build their own successful content platforms,” adds Playmaker HQ’s President and COO Brandon Harris. “Our audience already loves Shaq, and we can’t wait for them to get to know him even better through this platform. Even more importantly, we couldn’t be more excited to be a driving force behind even more athlete entrepreneurship success stories together with our new network.”

Athlete-led podcasts are having a moment right now (looking at you, Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast), with companies like WBD Sports’ Bleacher Report also eager to get in the game. Former athletes have had success as well, perhaps most notably former NFL kicker Pat McAfee, who signed a reported $85 million deal with ESPN earlier this year.

Silver Tribe Media brokered the agreement between O’Neal’s The Big Podcast Network and Playmaker HQ.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter