Shaq Joins Sacramento State as GM, Continues Wave of Black Athletes Reshaping College Sports
Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal is bringing his sizable presence to Sacramento State University as the men’s basketball team’s new general manager, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Hall of Famer’s surprise front-office move–an unpaid position—continues a growing trend of Black sports and entertainment legends transitioning from sports to leadership roles in college athletics, mirroring Michael Vick’s HBCU coaching journey now being chronicled in a BET docuseries.
O’Neal’s appointment coincides with his son Shaqir committing to play for the Hornets under new head coach Mike Bibby, the former Sacramento Kings star tasked with reviving a program that’s never made the NCAA tournament. “This isn’t about me—it’s about building something lasting for these young men and our community,” O’Neal said in a statement.
Superman’s transition to the front office follows other recent high-profile moves by Black athletes and celebrities redefining college sports leadership:
- Steph Curry became an assistant GM at Davidson, his alma mater, while partnering with Master P on a groundbreaking NIL initiative to empower HBCU athletes
- Deion Sanders’ Jackson State-to-Colorado success blueprint.
- Master P taking on a President of Basketball Operations role at the University of New Orleans.
- NFL star DeSean Jackson transitioned to coaching at Delaware State, telling BET his goal is to “show HBCU athletes they can dominate at any level”
- Trae Young accepted a role as assistant GM for Oklahoma State basketball + made a $1M pledge to the program
- Similar to Young, currently NBA player Terrence Man was recently named assistant GM for Florida State basketball.
Sacramento State president Luke Wood—the youngest leader in California State University history—spearheaded O’Neal’s hiring as part of his aggressive athletics overhaul. The Hornets will debut a $40M basketball facility next fall, hoping O’Neal’s star power accelerates recruiting.
The trend reflects a broader cultural shift: 52% of Division I basketball players are Black, yet only 31% of head coaches are Black, per 2024 NCAA data.
While unpaid, O’Neal’s role could prove pivotal for a program that’s had just two winning seasons since 1991, as his business acumen and NBA connections offer unique advantages for the school's recruiting efforts. Stars like O’Neal and Vick are using their influence to reshape pipelines, leveraging business savvy and mentorship.
