Reports surfaced Wednesday night that Shaquille O’Neal might interview for the vacant Magic general manager position as soon as next week, but in a written statement the former NBA All-Star and current TNT analyst said Thursday afternoon that he has declined an interview invitation from the Magic.
“When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued,” O’Neal said in the statement. “I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family.
“However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing. I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles [Barkley], Kenny [Smith] and E.J. [Ernie Johnson]. I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach.”
O’Neal, who played for the Magic his first four years in the NBA, retired from basketball after a year with the Celtics in 2011 and has since worked for TNT as an analyst.
The rumor that he could return to the Magic in a front office position came in the wake of the team parting ways with GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy this week.
It was thought that hiring O’Neal as a GM could help steer Dwight Howard‘s decision to stay with the team next year because the two have a friendly relationship with one another.
