Shaq wants to be 'heavily involved' in buying NBA team

Shaquille O'Neal appears serious about owning an NBA franchise.

The Hall of Famer reiterated his interest in ownership this week when asked about the potential of him purchasing the Phoenix Suns during an appearance on the "TMZ Sports" show.

"I haven't had any discussions with my partners, so I can't make the statement yet, but we're still looking to be heavily involved in purchasing an NBA team," O'Neal said. "But I'm not gonna go on here and say, 'Oh I talked to some people.' I haven't had that conversation with my partners yet."

O'Neal told TMZ in October that he was interested in buying Robert Sarver's stake in the Suns but didn't think he could compete with an offer from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who has also been linked to the team.

If NBA ownership doesn't work out for O'Neal, he could turn his sights to the NFL.

"This time around, when I purchase a team, I want to be heavily involved," O'Neal said when asked if he was interested in buying an NFL team. "I would like it to be in a place where I'm living at. If it ain't the Dolphins or the Cowboys or the Raiders - and those teams are way too expensive for me. But my main man (Bezos) can write that check."

O'Neal previously held a minority ownership stake in the Sacramento Kings but announced earlier this year that he had to sell his interest in the team due to a new business endeavor.