Donald Trump once offered Shaquille O’Neal a stunning cash prize to participate in a one-off 1 vs. 1 game that basketball fans were desperate to see.
US president Trump has had a long-running history in sports, having invited UFC CEO Dana White to his victory speech in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He’s been pals with White for years as he’s hosted the UFC at the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City – when he owned the property.
Trump had also planned to host a special contest pitting two of the biggest NBA stars in the 1990s.
In the mid 90s, he put up the prize money for a 1 vs. 1 duel between ‘Shaq’ and Hakeem Olajuwon.
The pair had come up against each other in the 1995 NBA finals, and Hakeem was named the MVP as his Houston Rockets triumphed over O’Neal’s Orlando Magic.
With the basketball world captivated by their rivalry, the duo’s agent suggested a 1 vs. 1 match-up.
Trump stumped up a prize pot of $1 million – a huge amount for even the biggest NBA stars, who were earning around $5 million per season.
Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal during the 1995 NBA finals. Image: Getty
The event, however, was cancelled at the last minute after Hakeem suffered a back injury and his 1 vs. 1 contest against O’Neal was never rescheduled.
Although Hakeem came out on top in the 1995 finals, O’Neal later admitted it was a turning point in his career that pushed him to become a better player.
“Just him being one of the best ever,” he said. “I realised that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. That year, we faced off, and the best won out. It just made me a much stronger competitor.”
In 1996, O’Neal left the Magic to join the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three championships in a row between 1999 and 2002.
He won a fourth NBA championship with the Miami Heat.
He enjoyed a legendary career and is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Trump had also planned to host a special contest pitting two of the biggest NBA stars in the 1990s.
In the mid 90s, he put up the prize money for a 1 vs. 1 duel between ‘Shaq’ and Hakeem Olajuwon.
The pair had come up against each other in the 1995 NBA finals, and Hakeem was named the MVP as his Houston Rockets triumphed over O’Neal’s Orlando Magic.
With the basketball world captivated by their rivalry, the duo’s agent suggested a 1 vs. 1 match-up.
Trump stumped up a prize pot of $1 million – a huge amount for even the biggest NBA stars, who were earning around $5 million per season.
Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal during the 1995 NBA finals. Image: Getty
The event, however, was cancelled at the last minute after Hakeem suffered a back injury and his 1 vs. 1 contest against O’Neal was never rescheduled.
Although Hakeem came out on top in the 1995 finals, O’Neal later admitted it was a turning point in his career that pushed him to become a better player.
“Just him being one of the best ever,” he said. “I realised that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. That year, we faced off, and the best won out. It just made me a much stronger competitor.”
In 1996, O’Neal left the Magic to join the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three championships in a row between 1999 and 2002.
He won a fourth NBA championship with the Miami Heat.
He enjoyed a legendary career and is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
