Shaquille O’Neal has revealed how his record-breaking $70,000 Walmart spending spree once led American Express to believe his card had been stolen.
After being traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O’Neal needed to furnish an empty apartment overnight.
True to his impulsive style, O’Neal decided to get everything done in one trip — and headed straight to Walmart.
What followed became one of the most famous celebrity spending stories — and one that stood as a record in Walmart history for 17 years.
Shaquille O’Neal’s $70,000 Walmart spree
Shaquille O’Neal, during an appearance on ‘The Late Late Show,’ said the purchase happened soon after his arrival in Phoenix.
With nothing in his new place, he decided to stock up on everything — from televisions and laptops to towels, clothes, and furniture — all in one go.
“I have the biggest purchase in Walmart history — $70,000. I got traded from Miami to Phoenix, and I’m the type of guy with no patience. When I got to Phoenix, they had an apartment for me — nothing in it.”
He started shopping in the early hours of the morning, filling multiple carts with electronics, appliances, and household essentials. But when he tried to pay, his American Express card was declined twice.
Shortly after, O’Neal received a call from the company. “They said, ‘Hey man, somebody stole your credit card and spent $70,000 at Walmart,’” he recalled. “I said, ‘No, that was me.’”
American Express thought Shaquille O’Neal’s card was stolen
Once he confirmed the purchase, the payment went through — officially making it the largest single transaction in Walmart’s history.
The record would later be broken in 2024 by a YouTube creator named ‘SteveWillDoIt,’ with other creators attempting to surpass the Walmart spending spree ever since.
O’Neal later used the story to highlight the importance of financial literacy, urging young athletes to spend wisely despite their sudden wealth.
Years later, the Walmart spree remains one of Shaq’s most memorable off-court moments, perfectly capturing his sense of humour, personality, and larger-than-life presence beyond basketball.
Read More: Shaquille O’Neal’s Top 10 NBA players list features LeBron James at just third place
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