Let’s get one thing straight right now. Shaquille O’Neal does not own the rights to Marilyn Monroe. Not even a little bit. But oh, the rumor is deliciously weird. It sounds like a fever dream from an alternate universe. One where the planet’s most famous blonde is legally owned by a seven-foot-one basketball legend.
Where did this bonkers rumor even come from?
It started with a tweet. A single, glorious, chaotic tweet. Someone claimed Shaq bought the entire Marilyn Monroe estate. The internet, being the internet, ran with it like a golden retriever with a stolen sock.
Shaq owns a lot of things. He owns a huge collection of shoes (size 22, naturally). He owns a 50 Cent wax figure he rescued from a dumpster. But Marilyn? Nope. That’s not in his filing cabinet.
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Why does this myth have such sticky legs?
Because Shaq is a collector of everything. He bought a $500,000 custom bed. He bought a T-Rex costume. He once bought a fleet of cars just because. If you can name it, Shaq has probably bought one in bulk.
So the idea of him casually buying the rights to a dead movie star? It’s just crazy enough to sound true. It feels like a plot point in a buddy comedy where Shaq and Marilyn’s ghost go on a road trip.
Also, let’s be honest. Shaq is a giant. Marilyn was tiny. The visual of Shaq holding the paperwork for her entire existence is hilarious. It’s pure, unadulterated internet gold.
Who actually owns the rights to Marilyn Monroe?
That’s a messy legal tangle. It’s not one person. It’s a pile of companies, estates, and lawyers. The main owner is Marilyn Monroe LLC. They control her name, image, and likeness.
But wait—it gets weirder. Her acting contracts? Those belong to Twentieth Century Fox and other studios. Her photos? Owned by various photographers' estates. Her personal belongings? Auctioned off to the highest bidder. Nobody holds the master key to Marilyn.
Who Owns The Rights To Marilyn Monroe Shaquille O'neal
Fun fact: She once owned a pet house rabbit. She called it Mitsou. Nobody owns that rabbit’s vibe either. Shaq might own a rabbit, but not that one.
What does Shaq actually own that’s weird?
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Shaq’s collection is legendary. He owns a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood that belonged to Al Capone. Yes, the gangster. Shaq drives around in a mob boss car. That’s cooler than owning Marilyn.
He also owns a full-size animatronic of himself. It’s a robot Shaq that dances. He keeps it in his house. Why? Because why not? The man owns a dozen Segways and a button that says “Big Shamrock.”
He even owns a piece of the Flinstones cartoon. A genuine production cel. Shaq loves the Flinstones. He’s basically a cartoon character in a human suit. He doesn’t need Marilyn’s ghost. He has robot Shaq.
The real kicker: Shaq’s feelings on Marilyn
Shaq has actually addressed the rumor. He laughed it off. He said he’s a fan of Marilyn Monroe, sure. But owning her? “She’s a legend,” he said. “I don’t own legends. I just own a lot of sneakers.”
Who Owns The Rights To Marilyn Monroe Shaquille O'neal
He also said he prefers Dame Dash’s collection of Jay-Z memorabilia. That’s the kind of guy Shaq is. He’s more interested in owning a piece of hip-hop history than a piece of old Hollywood. He’s a man of the people.
One time, Shaq bought a $14,000 Italian sofa just because it was shaped like a giant mouth. He sat in it and took pictures. That’s his energy. Silly, chaotic, and unapologetically Shaq.
So, does Shaq own Marilyn Monroe?
No. Absolutely not. The rumor is 100% false. It’s a beautiful, sparkly lie that makes the world more fun. And honestly? We should thank the internet for it. It gave us a reason to imagine Shaq and Marilyn sitting on his giant mouth sofa, arguing over movie licensing.
But here’s the truth: nobody can own a legend. Marilyn belongs to the cultural ether. She’s in the air we breathe and the movies we watch. Shaq? He belongs to the ether of memes. He’s the guy who owns a T-Rex costume and a bidet that massages his feet.
So next time someone whispers “Does Shaq own Marilyn?” just smile. Shake your head. Say, “No, but he owns a robot of himself. That’s way better.” And remember: the best rumors aren’t true. They’re just really, really fun to talk about.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to imagine Shaq in a Marilyn wig. It’s a delightful image. And it’s free for everyone. Even Shaq.