NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is expanding his media footprint through a deal with Playmaker HQ, the new home to "The Big Podcast."
The deal not only positions Playmaker as the host of Shaq's podcast, which was previously distributed by Turner Sports — but the "Inside the NBA" host will collaborate with Playmaker to establish an entire network of content under "The Big Podcast Network" umbrella.
"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," Shaq said in the press release distributed by Action's and Playmaker's shared parent company, Better Collective.
The first episode of Shaq's revamped series drops on YouTube and other podcast platforms like Spotify this Thursday, gifting fans with a fresh glimpse into Shaq's world through authentic conversation with fellow NBA on TNT personality Adam Lefkoe.
In their Playmaker debut, the duo covered a wide range of topics, from the $15,000 drone Shaq was gifted to the amount of Frosted Flakes he ate growing up.
"Sometimes, in the words of my grandmama, you better put some water on that s*** if you ain't got no milk," Shaq told Lefkoe.
The episode also covers more "serious" ground, such as whether Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic is the new version of Tim Duncan vs. Shaq — because what's a basketball podcast without a player vs. player debate? Other than that, according to Shaq, neither are fair comparisons.
"Don't ever compare me to no Power Forward; I don't want to hear it," Shaq lamented.
New episodes will release each Thursday throughout the 2023-24 NBA season. And soon, The Big Podcast Network will platform new athletes and creators.
Follow The Big Podcast on social media platforms and subscribe to its YouTube channel or download new episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.