NBA legend, SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, 'in talks to buy a stake in premier league club West Ham

 Thursday, June 27, 2024 - NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is reportedly in talks to purchase a stake in Premier League outfit West Ham.

The 52-year-old, who won four NBA titles during his illustrious career, picked interest in becoming a shareholder at the club after watching one of their games last season.

O'Neal would become the latest former American sports star to invest in the English game, following the likes of ex-NFL heroes Tom Brady, JJ Watt and basketball icon LeBron James.

According to The Sun, the 7-foot-1 former centre - who now covers the sport as a broadcaster for TNT - loves football and has been discussing putting 'serious cash' into the Hammers.

They quote a source as saying: 'He went to a game at the end of the season and loved it. It's now a case of whether the financials stack up for him.'

The London club will be a much-changed outfit from the one that finished last season in ninth place, a year on from lifting the Europa Conference League.

West Ham opted not to extend the contract of David Moyes and instead hired former Real Madrid and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui as they new manager in May.

O'Neal, a basketball Hall of Famer, racked up 41,918 minutes across 19 seasons in the NBA. He turned out for six teams, including the LA Lakers and Miami Heat - where he won his titles - as well as the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.

In addition to the former American sports stars, British football has seen several celebrities from across the pond invest their money in teams up and down the football pyramid.