Shaq, ABC team up for reality show
By Maria Elena Fernandez
Los Angeles Times
Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal will compete in a new sporting event each week in a new ABC reality series, “Shaq Vs.,” which will debut on Aug. 18, the network announced Monday.
Over the course of the series, O’Neal will challenge Olympian Michael Phelps in swimming; Super Bowl champ Pittsburgh Steeler Ben Roethlisberger in football; reigning U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in tennis; championship fighter Oscar de la Hoya in boxing; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in baseball; and Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor in beach volleyball.
Filming begins Wednesday.
O’Neal joins the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. The last time the basketball champion worked with ABC on a reality series, it involved helping overweight children lose pounds in Florida. This time, it’s all about Shaq.
“These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge,” O’Neal said in a news release. “I plan to train hard and win, so look out.”