Shaquille O'Neal Reveals 40-Lb. Weight Loss, Says His Goal Is to Do 'Underwear Ad with My Sons'

Mar. 15, 2025

Shaquille O’Neal.Photo: Prince Williams/Wireimage

Shaquille O’Nealhas until his 51st birthday in March to lose 20 pounds.

The former NBA player hasalready lost 40 pounds, he toldEntertainment Tonightwhile speaking to the outlet about his upcoming virtual reality New Year’s Eve countdown special,The Shaq-tacular Spectacular.

“I lost 40 pounds,” O’Neal said. “I need to lose about 20 more, but impressive. Imma get real chiseled up and do an underwear ad with my sons.”

O’Neal and his ex-wifeShaunie O’Nealshare four children together: sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me’arah. The athlete also has a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie’s previous relationship, and a daughter, Taahirah, with his former girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh.

The former Lakers player — who turns 51 on March 6 — toldEThe got some blood work back that led him down the path of a cleaner diet.

O’Neal said because he was an athlete he didn’t pay close attention to what he was eating. Now, aside from his diet (he’s working on eliminating bread and soda), he said he is also taking supplements and drinking shakes.

Prince Williams/Wireimage

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“The weight just fell off. I’m not at 100 percent ninja mode yet. I’m still 75 percent,” O’Neal toldEntertainment Tonight.

His goal? “I think I could get theMarky Wahlberglook,” he said. “I want to be known as the Black Mark Wahlberg.”

O’Neal opened up about parenting his six children in a November cover story for PEOPLE.

He said he hopes that when the day comes when he finds himself “checking into the old folks home,” his children will be “running what I started” and continuing to contribute to the “generational wealth” he’s created throughout his career.

source: people.com