Shaq Talks Moving Hate & His View On Salary

February 9th, 2020

Before the 2019 season ended, Bucs sacks legend Shaq Barrett made it clear that he preferred to keep his family in Tampa rather than relocate to a new team.

On SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio, Shaq clarified his stance.

Interestingly, Shaq explained to Chris “Mad Dog” Russo that he’s always hated moving since he was a child and that’s why he didn’t accept a Division I full scholarship offer in North Dakota. Shaq preferred to stay home in Nebraska to play small school ball at Nebraska-Omaha.

After the school eliminated its football program, Shaq chose to stay in the region and transfer to Colorado State. When he went undrafted in the NFL, Shaq said, he had several offers as an undrafted free agent but took just $10,000 to sign with the Broncos — in order to stay close to home.

That’s when Shaq discovered his disdain for taxes. His $10,000 check actually read “$6,500” after the government took its cut, he said. And that’s good news for Bucs fans.

Shaq said he’s happy to give a little bit of a hometown discount to stay with the Bucs.

“If [other teams] offer me more than Tampa, I’m going to look at the places, if they offer me more than Tampa, I’m going to look at what their taxes is compared to Tampa’s. Because I ain’t going to live in L.A. and get taxed crazy,” Shaq said.

“I’m not going to take drastically less but I am open to doing what I think is best for my career, and I think that would be staying in Tampa.”

Joe hopes the Bucs do the intelligent thing and lock up Shaq with a multiyear deal.

With only a little better overall resumé than what Shaq has now, 49ers pass rusher Dee Ford got $33 million guaranteed last offseason. basically the first two years of his new contract. Joe suspects the Bucs could get Shaq for roughly the same commitment.

20 Responses to “Shaq Talks Moving Hate & His View On Salary”

  1. martinii Says:

    Great news, would love to keep Barrett. He was a real bright spot for the Buc’s this season. I also believe it’s important to “Keep the band together,” meaning JPP, Suh, Vea, and Nassib contributed to that 19 1/2 sacks by paving the way to opposition QB’s.

  2. Dreghost Says:

    True stand up guy! I can’t wait to see what diamond in the rough B.A. and company find next season

  3. TampaTown Says:

    Hmm..Disdain for taxes…that’s called being a Republican.

  4. bucfan999 Says:

    What’s wrong with that????

  5. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    TampaTown Says
    “Hmm..Disdain for taxes…that’s called being a Republican.”

    Dude, no one likes paying taxes, Democrat, Republican or Independent. LOL

  6. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I hate moving too. I tend to stay at least a decade in the places I rent. Going on 13 years where I’m at now.

  7. No Risk It No Biscuit Says:

    Great info Joe!!!

    Keep it coming!

  8. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    Please stay in Tampa Shaq, but get a better accountant and financial advisor. You are going to be a filthy rich man, so state and local taxes are not going to dent your paycheck significantly. You will pay close .05% while the rest of us plebs will pay 10%. It’s only the federal rate that you will pay more.

  9. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    5% (typo) compared to 10%

  10. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    Florida is the 2nd most regressive state in US, ranked number two, with the poor paying 12.9 percent of their income to taxes, while the top 1 percent pay 1.9 percent.

  11. Defense Rules Says:

    Like most everyone else, I really hope that the Bucs do right by Shaq & keep him here. Multi-year contract (4-5 years) would be excellent with 2 years guaranteed. This Bucs’ defense is pretty much optimum for his skillset, so I can see why he wants to stay in Tampa (beyond the not moving & no state tax).

    HowToSpellRhonde … That’s not even close to being true that FL is the ‘2nd most regressive state in US’. You’re cherry-picking with JUST local sales taxes paid on certain goods & real estate taxes (which most ‘poor’ probably don’t pay). Most of the ‘poor’ don’t pay Federal taxes or State taxes, and in actuality many get more money back than they pay in (due to entitlements, credits, etc). Nice try though, but wrong website.

  12. Bucsfan951 Says:

    “Hmm..Disdain for taxes…that’s called being a Republican.“

    I was gonna say something smart ass but I’m at a loss for words smh 🤦🏻‍♂️

  13. TBUC North Carolina Says:

    Sign him!! At a discount and Wanting to be a Buc is just a bonus for us!!! BTW Tampa Bay Vipers SUCK!!!!

  14. TampaTown Says:

    Bonzai:
    I agree no one likes paying for them. But Republicans don’t vote for more of them, Democrats and Socialists do.

  15. TBUC North Carolina Says:

    TampaTown
    Hate to get political on this site… but you are Correct!! Wish the average Dem voters knew this was fact!

  16. Toddsbucs1 Says:

    You are now my favorite player Shaq. I’m ordering my Jersey the day he signs.

  17. BigHog Says:

    Did taxes go down under the leadership in office now….. cut taxes …cut me a break !!!!

  18. Sierra048 Says:

    Well, considering theses past two years under the new tax plan, and then calculating those same two years under the old tax plan, I have definitely saved saved money and paid less in taxes.

  19. Sleepy903 Says:

    He’s a smart man, Well aware of the tax differences and prefer to take home more money than going to a destination area for the exposure. He’s a football player thats concerned about being the best player he can be, in the best situation he can put himself into and take care of his family. Thats a player you make sure to sign back. His head is clearly on straight.

  20. TOM Says:

    Enough with this political nonsense. Remember this site is for sports. Especially the Bucs.