Shaquille O’Neal wants Dave Portnoy ‘punched in | Sports News

Shaquille O’Neal declared that he could be “glad if somebody punches” Dave Portnoy in the face after the Barstool Sports founder launched a scathing assault in opposition to Tom Brady.

On a latest episode of Wake Up Barstool, Portnoy — who warned that LeBron James goes to get “booed out of Philly” — prompt that Brady is tarnishing his legacy along with his post-retirement conduct. Since hanging up the cleats, the previous quarterback has competed in a flag soccer event, flirted with the thought of becoming a member of the WWE, and launched a bitter rivalry with Logan Paul.

“This to me is one of the great downfalls of an icon, with Tom Brady. And it’s a legacy that is being lame-ified,” Portnoy stated. “You don’t want to see him mixed up in lowbrow TikTok flag football leagues in Saudi Arabia or whatever it is. Everything about him is cringey right now to me.”

Portnoy’s feedback didn’t sit properly with O’Neal, who swiftly rushed to the protection of Brady. “Dave talks a lot,” the NBA legend advised Page Six. “He’s one of those lucky guys who had a lot of success. So, he thinks his point of view is important.”

O’Neal even expressed hope that somebody would bodily confront Portnoy over his remarks, including: “I’d be glad if somebody punches him in the face. And I hope it’s Tom [Brady].

“I try to be nice, [but] you can tell him I said that,” O’Neal continued, suggesting that “idiots” like Portnoy maintain views that carry little weight.

Portnoy admitted that he was blindsided by O’Neal’s threats, writing on X: “I didn’t see that one coming. I like Shaq. He’s dead wrong here though. Like dead wrong.”

At Fanatics Fest in New York City final week, Brady hinted that he is awaiting an invitation from WWE president Nick Khan to “get in the mix.” He additional intensified his rivalry with Paul, delivering a slap to the WWE famous person’s face earlier than being separated by Knicks massive man Karl-Anthony Towns.

In February, Brady criticized Paul’s profession during an look on his Impaulsive podcast. When the influencer — who has turn into a distinguished villain and full-time performer on the Raw model — prompt he competes on the “highest level,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion replied: “No, you’re not the level. You’re a good athlete, but when I’m thinking of Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham, Justin Jefferson. It’s cute. I love WWE, it’s very cute, but honestly this is like real football, this is real competition.”

In the months that adopted, Paul and Brady have carried out little to cover their mutual disdain whereas apparently laying the groundwork for a potential WWE confrontation. The athletes’ rivalry spilled onto the sphere during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic when Brady threw a soccer at Paul after the whistle had blown. A heated verbal exchange adopted, although the state of affairs was ultimately resolved.

The confrontation grew to become bodily at Fanatics Fest when Brady open-handed slapped Paul, with Towns swiftly stepping in earlier than issues might escalate additional.

Barely 48 hours after their heated exchange, Brady and Paul encountered one another as soon as more at Sunday’s World Cup ultimate between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium. In viral footage circulating on X, Brady is proven giving Paul the center finger, with Paul reciprocating the offensive gesture. Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin ultimately stepped in as peacemaker, restraining Paul and tapping him on the chest.