Shaquille O’Neal joins Papa John’s board of directors for one big reason: 'Pizza is fun'

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal has joined the Papa John’s board of directors.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Ritchie, President and CEO of Papa John's, at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.

Shaquille O’Neal has given us plenty of sound bites from his time as an analyst on TNT's "Inside the  NBA. " But, he may have just said one of the most insightful and honest things ever and it has nothing to do with basketball.

The four-time NBA champion joined the Papa John’s board of directors, becoming the first African American member. O'Neal's addition comes just months after its founder resigned following his use of a racial slur.

After the announcement Friday, O'Neal joined CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” and uttered the phrase: "Pizza is fun."

Yes, we can all agree on that.

“Everyone loves pizza and pizza loves everyone,” O’Neal said. “Everyone knows Shaquille O’Neal, they know I’m in the fun business, and we want to get this thing back on track,” he added.

Time for a pizza party! I'm excited to join @PapaJohns as a member of the Board of Directors and investor in 9 stores in #Atlanta. Excited to work with Papa John's team members and customers - more here: https://t.co/PRXG7ORtFkpic.twitter.com/c5uj5BRuQ1

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) March 22, 2019

 

O’Neal already owns a number of other restaurants including a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise in Atlanta, a Big Chicken fast food chain in Las Vegas and Shaquille’s restaurant in Los Angeles. He also previously owned 27 Five Guys franchises.

However, this is the first time O'Neal is a board member for a public company. According to CNN Business, he will earn $8.25 million over three years.

Papa John's is already seeing a return. After announcing the longtime former Laker joined the company, its stock rose nearly five percent, CNN Business reported.