According to ESPN Deportes, Shaquille O’Neal could don a basketball uniform once again for Fuerza Regia, a Mexican Basketball team. At this point its all speculation as Fuerza Regia president, Sergio Ganem is negotiating at this point. Below is the Google translation of the ESPN Deportes story:
Sergio Ganem, president of Fuerza Regia, National League team professional basketball Mexico (LNBP) confirmed negotiating with Shaquille O’Neal to play one or two games of the 2012-13 season with the team in October. The manager said they have spoken by telephone with former player to convince him to return to the activity, the response is expected early next week and will depend largely on the agenda of Shaq and his commitment as a commentator .
The invitation came last August when the former NBA visited Monterrey for social work with a community youth center in a wheelchair.
Fuerza Regia has stood in for his hiring LNBP unusual as Dennis Rodman who in 2004 played two regular season games and Chinese Sun Ming Ming of 2.36 mts. The League’s 2012-13 season began on Tuesday 4 September.
The translation is a little choppy, but you get the point – it’s all a publicity stunt! Fuerza Regia getting Dennis Rodman, the ultimate basketball sideshow, and Sun Ming Ming, the 7’9″ Chinese giant baller, to play were obvious ploys to sell tickets. Getting Shaquille O’Neal to play down in Mexico is going to be expensive! But, it may be worth it because Shaq is easily more high-profile than the aforementioned duo of freaks, as well as a highly-accomplished NBA player with multiple NBA titles and NBA MVP awards, something that separates him from the Worm. Speaking of worm, tequila time, Shaq? It’s up to you, hombre.