Shaquille O'Neal stresses the importance of financial literacy for athletes, citing his early experience with reckless spending and the need for business management to avoid losing all wealth.

“And my parents have always raised me using scare tactics, because, uh, 75% of all professional athletes, when they're done, five years after they're done, have nothing. And they didn't want me to be like that, so... I had to hire a business manager. I think it was a great lesson.”

Young athletes must learn to say no to requests for money and assistance from friends and family to prioritize their own financial future.

“I had to learn that in order for me to take care of my kids I got to take care of myself first and I didn't as a kid at that time 20 21 years old you know I didn't if I got it you got it”