Shaquille O’Neal and CS2: How an NBA Legend Brought NRG to the Austin Major

In 2016, while visiting Los Angeles, Shaquille O’Neal’s kids took him to an event at the Staples Center. It turned out to be the League of Legends World Championship, and Shaq was stunned by what he saw.

“It was like a basketball game,” he said. “30,000 kids screaming. I asked: what is this? My kids said — this is the future.”

That experience opened his eyes to the power of esports and how younger generations shape new trends, just like they did with TikTok.

When Shaq Met Counter-Strike

That same year, Counter-Strike was gaining traction in the U.S. Valve had doubled the Major prize pools, the game had become more stable, and it was ready for the mainstream.

American broadcaster TBS launched ELEAGUE — a televised CS league. Shaq, who worked on the same network, was part of the promotional campaign and appeared during the broadcast of a pilot match between OpTic and CSGL.

The Thorin Roast That Went Viral

During the broadcast, esports analyst Thorin couldn’t resist a jab at Shaq’s acting career:

“I meant ShahZaM the player, not Kazaam — that awful movie Shaq was in.”

Ernie Johnson responded: “How fast can you run, Thorin?”

Shaq, smiling but serious, fired back: “Give me two weeks to train, and I’ll beat all of you in any game. What about boxing? This is America — the Queen’s not helping you here.”

Why Shaq Chose NRG Esports

NRG was founded in 2015 by Sacramento Kings co-owners Andy Miller and Mark Mastrov. Shaq joined in 2016, investing $150 million alongside MLB players Jimmy Rollins and Alex Rodriguez.

NRG quickly became one of the most valuable orgs in the world. In 2022, Forbes valued them at $240 million. However, their CS:GO division struggled, collecting only two trophies and peaking with a Major semifinal in 2019.

Why NRG Left — and Returned to CS2

After selling their roster to Evil Geniuses for $3 million, NRG left the scene. Andy Miller later criticized Valve’s model:

“Even calling CS a loss-leader doesn’t make sense anymore. Publisher support is nonexistent. Salaries are absurd. It’s just not sustainable.”

In late 2023, NRG made a comeback. Today, they’re ranked #34 in the world and are competing at the BLAST Austin Major — a symbolic return, especially on home soil.

Shaq Still Believes in the Players

Shaq isn’t a hardcore viewer, but he’s never doubted the athletes behind the screens.

“I can’t do what they do. I tried racing Dale Earnhardt Jr., swimming with Phelps — my body shut down. Competing at that level takes mental strength. That’s why these players are athletes too.”

Before the Austin Major kicked off, Shaq voiced his support for the NRG squad:

“I’ll be cheering for the boys at NRG — they’re representing America, and they’ve got my respect.”

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Why This Story Matters to CS2

Shaquille O’Neal’s story is more than a celebrity cameo — it’s a milestone in esports history. At a time when most people mocked gaming, he took it seriously. He saw the future early.

Now, NRG is back at a Major. They're not favorites to win — but their presence means something. And so does the fact that Shaq, a global sports icon, is still in their corner.