<p>Basketball legend <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/shaquille-oneal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shaquille O’Neal</a> insisted that he is skeptical of <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/cryptocurrency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cryptocurrency</a> despite his recent endorsement of the now-collapsed digital asset empire run by <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/sam-bankman-fried" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>.</p>
<p>Cryptocurrency exchange FTX filed for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/30-year-old-billionaire-loses-entire-fortune-overnight-as-his-bahamas-based-cryptocurrency-empire-implodes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bankruptcy</a> last month after users learned that the company was intertwined with sister firm Alameda Research; both were controlled by Bankman-Fried and other amateur executives working from a luxury penthouse in the Bahamas. The entrepreneur was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-democrat-megadonor-sam-bankman-fried-arrested-in-bahamas-faces-criminal-charges-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> this week by authorities in the island nation, where his companies were headquartered, as American officials unsealed criminal charges against him.</p>
<p>Bankman-Fried spent millions of dollars recruiting celebrities as brand ambassadors in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/attorney-overseeing-ftx-bankruptcy-testifies-before-congress-grossly-inexperienced-people-ran-company-went-on-5-billion-spending-binge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marketing blitz</a> as the company became increasingly strapped for cash. O’Neal was featured in an FTX <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSu76VUIkEg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commercial</a> as recently as June. “I’m excited to be partnering with FTX to help make crypto accessible for everyone,” he said. “I’m all in. Are you?”</p>
<p>The four-time NBA champion distanced himself from FTX during an <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/15/shaq-on-crypto-ftx-post-collapse-i-was-just-a-paid-spokesperson.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with CNBC this week, claiming that he was not associated with the company beyond his appearance in the advertisement.</p>
<p>“A lot of people think I’m involved, but I was just a paid spokesperson for a commercial,” he remarked. “I have nothing to hide. If I was heavily involved, I would be at the forefront saying, ‘Hey.’ But I was just a paid spokesperson.”</p>
<p>O’Neal said in the commercial that he checked his FTX account daily. When asked by CNBC if he is presently bullish on cryptocurrency, he offered a one-word response: “No.”</p>
<p>Among the other <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/from-brady-to-shaq-here-are-the-celebrities-who-lost-big-on-the-ftx-implosion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cultural icons</a> FTX solicited to appear in advertisements were Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry, celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel ex-wife Gisele Bündchen. The company reportedly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-was-a-fan-of-tay-tay-badly-wanted-her-to-sign-100-million-marketing-deal-with-ftx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> singer-songwriter Taylor Swift a sponsorship deal worth $100 million because Bankman-Fried was a diehard fan. Many of the influencers are now the subject of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-brady-steph-curry-other-celebrities-sued-for-pushing-ponzi-scheme-ftx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lawsuit</a> claiming they participated in a “fraudulent scheme” meant to fool unsophisticated investors.</p>
<p>O’Leary, who said he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kevin-oleary-says-he-fell-victim-to-groupthink-lost-all-of-his-15-million-payout-as-ftx-ambassador">lost</a> the approximately $15 million in digital assets and equity he earned as a spokesperson of FTX, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kevin-oleary-testifies-before-congress-after-endorsing-defunct-crypto-exchange-ftx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testified</a> before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday about potential regulations on the nascent sector.</p>
<p>“The collapse of FTX is nothing new. While this situation is painful for shareholders, employees, and account holders, in the long run, it does not change this industry’s promise,” argued the entrepreneur, who holds investments in other cryptocurrency companies. “Enron came and went and had no impact on the energy markets. Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers’ demise had no impact on the long-term potential of American debt and equity markets.”</p>
<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission has officially charged Bankman-Fried with fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and money laundering. A complaint from the agency <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/officials-charge-sam-bankman-fried-of-using-customer-funds-for-lavish-real-estate-and-large-political-donations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alleges</a> that he used commingled funds to make “undisclosed venture investments, lavish real estate purchases, and large political donations.” The disgraced entrepreneur, who has been denied bail due to the significant flight risk he poses, could <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/criminal-charges-against-democrat-megadonor-sam-bankman-fried-unsealed-faces-life-in-prison-denied-bail" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spend</a> as much as 115 years in prison if convicted on all counts.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Shaq On Endorsing FTX: ‘I Was Just A Paid Spokesperson’

CONTINUE READING

Bud Light Sales Continue To Plummet, May Soon Lose Status As Number-One Beer

‘Profoundly Christian’: Former Head Of Anglican Church Presses British Government To Endorse Assisted Suicide

Ben Shapiro Reacts To Debt Limit Deal, Hits Both Democrats And Republicans Over Spending Habits

‘The Chosen’ Defends Pride Flag Spotted On Set: ‘Let The Show Speak For Itself’

Chick-Fil-A Faces Backlash As Their Diversity Efforts Resurface, Other Woke Brands Take Beating

North Korea Sentenced Two-Year-Old To Life In Prison After Family Caught With Bible: State Department

News

Celebrities

Cryptocurrency

Fraud

Sam Bankman-Fried

Shaquille O'Neal

U.S.

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Shaq On Endorsing FTX: ‘I Was Just A Paid Spokesperson’