 It seems retired NBA great, Shaquille O'Neal, already has a post-retirement job ... as a sports analyst.
A month-and-a-half after announcing his retirement from the NBA, following 19 seasons, the 39-year-old basketball star lands a multi-year deal with Turner Sports to serve as an NBA analyst alongside Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith on TNT's "Inside The NBA."
Shaq will begin his new job with with the 2011-12 basketball season during the TNT post-game show.
He'll also partake in TNT's NBA All-Star Weekend and playoffs coverage, and serve as a contributor to NBA TV and NBA.com.
"I can't wait to begin my new career with Turner," O'Neal said of the deal. "Over the past several years, the team at Turner has taken the NBA and entertainment, in general, to a whole new level. I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the amazing team at 'Inside the NBA' and I hope I can further the fans’ experience on a regular basis."
Even before his retirement, big Shaq was already preparing his post-NBA plans. In 2009, he reportedly took a course at Syracuse University, called as Sportscaster U, a crash course designed to teach athletes about the broadcasting industry.
The broadcasting bootcamp was started by Syracuse radio play-by-play announcer Matt Park, who said Shaq was a natural.
"His energy level is unbelievable," Park said. "He wants to do it all and he's been terrific."
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