Basketball Icon Shaquille O’Neal Faces Lawsuits in Crypto and NFT Sphere
Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal was delivered legal papers for two separate lawsuits in the broader crypto and NFT realm on Tuesday—and was served while broadcasting an NBA game at what once was Miami’s FTX Arena.
Lawsuit Involving FTX Promotion and Celebrity Endorsements
One of the lawsuits centers on celebrities that promoted the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, including other high-profile defendants like former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” TV star Larry David.
Lawsuit Targeting O’Neal and His Astrals NFT Project
Yet, the other complaint focuses specifically on O’Neal and his NFT project, Astrals, launched last March. The lawsuit alleges that Astrals NFTs offered for sale were unregistered securities and attached to promises made by the former NBA player.
The Moskowitz Law Firm and Boies Schiller Flexner LLP Lead the Legal Actions
The two lawsuits brought against O’Neal are led by The Moskowitz Law Firm and Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, who are working in tandem. Following accusations that Shaq was evading process servers and stifling court procedures, attorney Adam Moskowitz said that legal actions can now proceed.
“It is good that we can start with the merits, instead of the silly service sideshow Mr. O’Neal unfortunately created,” Moskowitz said in a written statement provided to Decrypt. “It seems absurd to have to go to such great lengths to serve Mr. O’Neal.”
The Moskowitz Law Firm said O’Neal had the process server “kicked out” of the Miami Heat’s stadium after he was served, adding that the event was filmed to “ensure there was no ambiguity.”
Representatives for O’Neal did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Decrypt.
