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Shaquille O'Neal has come to the defense of longtime friend Tom Brady after Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy described the retired American football star's post-NFL career as "lame" and "cringey."
Speaking to entertainment outlet Page Six, the former NBA star dismissed Portnoy's criticism and suggested that his business success had led him to place too much importance on his own opinions.
O'Neal then stepped up his response by saying: "I'd be glad if somebody punches him in the face. And I hope it's Tom."
Portnoy had rebuked Brady during a recent "Wake Up Barstool" discussion, arguing that the seven-time Super Bowl winner was damaging his legacy through public appearances and entertainment projects.
He pointed to Brady's interactions with internet personality Logan Paul and his participation in comedy sketches at Michael Rubin's Fanatics Fest in New York City, claiming the former quarterback had become "lame-ified."
O'Neal rejected that assessment and said Brady knew exactly what he was doing and was carrying it out successfully. He also described Portnoy and similar critics as people whose opinions did not matter.
Brady and O'Neal have maintained a friendship beyond their respective careers in the NFL and NBA. Following Netflix's 2025 "Roast of Tom Brady," O'Neal invited Brady onto his podcast and asked whether the former quarterback had been upset by the jokes made about him.
Brady played down those concerns and told O'Neal: "I love being made fun of."
The dispute also brought up earlier tension between O'Neal and Portnoy. In 2023, Portnoy called then-Louisiana State University basketball player Angel Reese "classless" on social media, prompting O'Neal to reply: "And so is your mother."
Despite that exchange, Portnoy later said the pair had a friendly conversation about the stock market when they met at UFC 314 in 2025.
O'Neal made his latest remarks while promoting "Game Day Murders," his new true crime series. Describing himself as a true crime enthusiast, he said the genre appealed to people because everyone had "that detective in them."
The series is scheduled to premiere on July 27 on Investigation Discovery and will also be available through HBO Max.
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