Bro: diesel could end up being a team owner.
Shaq intrigued by Magic's sale
By Tim Povtak
Sentinel Staff Writer
January 30, 2002
Shaquille O'Neal never will return to the Orlando Magic as a player, but he will consider coming back.
An ownership role could be part of his future.
Still basketball's most dominating player --the biggest reason the Los Angeles Lakers are two-time defending NBA champions --O'Neal has had his interest in ownership piqued by the news that Rich DeVos is selling the franchise after 11 years.
As a player, he is prohibited by NBA rules from also being part of any ownership group.
But when his 10-year, $209.5 million contract ends after the 2005-2006 season -- and he likely retires -- don't be surprised to see him emerge again with the Magic, depending upon who the next owner is.
"No comment. You know I can't comment on that [ownership] stuff now,'' he said Tuesday before the Lakers played the Hawks in Atlanta. "But I'd be really upset if the league lets that team move -- really upset.''
O'Neal, 29, started his NBA career with the Magic in 1992, but he left for Los Angeles as a free agent in 1996, believing he needed the big-city exposure to maximize his marketing opportunities.
He has said many times that he will return to Orlando full time when he retires.
He continues to spend his summers in Central Florida, in the home he built when he played here.
He even returned for a couple of days this month when he was serving his three-game suspension for fighting -- cruising around town on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
"No, that wasn't me. That must have been someone else,'' he joked.
The idea of playing for the Magic again intrigues him, but his contract with the Lakers makes it almost impossible.
"Hopefully, the new owners there will get a new arena in Central Florida, something like they have here [in Atlanta],'' he said.
"They should be able to work out some kind of deal with the city. At least I hope so. It's too bad; the NBA is losing one of its best owners. I've always had the highest regard for Mr. DeVos."
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel