DALLAS — Shaquille O’Neal is only 51 years old, but he’s thinking ahead — like where he might settle down in retirement.
The good news for North Texas: It could be here. The bad news: It could also be Florida.
The 7-foot-1 NBA legend already owns a home in Carrollton. He’s pals with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. He’s also doing business in North Texas, fronting a chain of planned restaurants called Big Chicken and now bringing a music festival, Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Festival, to Fort Worth in September.
Announced Tuesday, the event at Panther Island Pavilion features 14 acts including Shaq himself, who performs as DJ Diesel. Tickets start at $49 and are now on sale.
On the heels of the festival announcement, O'Neal got on a call with The Dallas Morning News to talk about what’s next for him, and why it includes lots of bass.
[This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.]
Q: You’re spending a lot of time here in North Texas with the businesses, the new house and now your festival. What keeps you coming back here?
A: I just fell in love with Dallas, being down from Texas and really thinking about retirement in the next four or five years, Texas and Florida would be my options to have a place to live. Already lived in Houston. Grew up in San Antonio. But just always had a great time in Dallas. So I decided to get my little house there in Carrollton, and I’m actually there more than people know. Dallas is my midway point to when I have to go do business on the West Coast. So, like, I got to do business on the West Coast in two weeks. I’m going to just go stay in Dallas for about a week and just get some rest.
When I was young, it was OK to have [a big] house. But a five-bedroom house with a person who’s living by myself, I think that’s fine. I think that’s plenty. I just wanted to get something quick. When I get close to retirement, I’m looking to go down to the Southlake area. So I’ll definitely get me a monster there. I was spending way too much money at the hotels, and it don’t make sense. I’m very, very smart with my dollars. I just used this DJ money and purchased me a house.
Q: You’ve been spotted at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House and Chicken N Pickle. And you’re opening up Big Chicken franchises in North Texas. What’s this fascination with chicken restaurants?
A: Growing up, all we had was fried chicken. In college, we had a lot of fried chicken. I used to do various things — chicken with cheese, chicken with mayo, ketchup, slice it up. And I’m a big supporter of Cane’s. My good friend Todd Graves [CEO of Raising Cane’s], he just made me love chicken even more. So, then I just came up with the concept: Big Chicken.
Q: Besides chicken, where do you eat in Dallas-Fort Worth?
A: I just went [to Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth] last week. It was a nice place. Behind me, people were having a good time. We definitely have to go back. And then when I’m in Dallas, I go to Nick & Sam’s all the time.
Q: Is the Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Festival all set for Sept. 16?
A: We’re all set. I’m a DJ. You probably don’t know what that is. You’re probably the same age as me. But everyone knows I’m a juvenile delinquent. And first let me answer why do I DJ: Imagine us Lakers versus the Mavericks in a Game 6. We need this game and Dallas needs this game? Imagine the crowd in Dallas and how crazy they will be. Those are how all those kids are at all those festivals. It’s the only thing that gives me the adrenaline fix similar to a Game 6 of a championship game. When I got done playing, you know, I get a little fanfare. But an hour, an hour and a half, of these music festivals gives me the same impact as if I were playing in a game. When I get done with [DJing], I feel like I just played a Game 7 — energetic crowd going up and down, everybody having fun, kids just out there jamming. So that’s why I do DJing.
Q: You’re going to turn this into the Fort Worth Tomorrowland. Is that what you’re going for?
A: I just want everyone to be safe, have fun and have a great time.
Q: You seem like a different person when you’re doing the DJ thing. Do you feel any different behind the turntable?
A: It’s similar to Shaq. Like right now, you’re talking to Shaquille, the nice guy. But you remember when I was Shaq? Elbowing Sean Bradley and all those guys that played for the Mavericks. When the kids pay that money to see me perform, my job is to make sure I give them a good show.
Q: Is [Mark] Cuban invited to your bass festival?
A: Of course he is.
Q: And Dirk [Nowitski]?
A: Yep, all those guys.
