Scene in the Tropics

Shaq, lies and videotape?

Back in the day, when LeBron James was just a fetus and Shaquille O'Neal was the biggest thing to happen to the Miami Heat since, well, nothing, aspiring basketball wives lamented the existence of then wife Shaunie. If you believed the rumors, the really aggressive aspiring basketball wives ignored the existence of then wife Shaunie. Some even said O'Neal kept a secret pad at the Flamingo just to accommodate those aloof aspiring basketball wives. And whether that's true or not is as irrelevant as an article on the nouveau riche and their favorite luxury toys during an economic meltdown. Further bolstering that is the fact that a judge has thrown out an insanely absurd case against gangsters accused of kidnapping a man who claimed he had a video tape of the retired baller shaquing up with multiple women, none of who were his wife. As everyone knows by now, the ex Mrs. O'Neal filed for divorce under "irreconcilable differences," but if you believe Shaq, those differences did not include a secret  sex tape. And while you may not believe him, the judge did. As for that condo in the Flamingo, well, O'Neal never said anything about taking his talents to South Beach, so we'll leave it at that.

Shaunie O'Neal and Shaq: Splitsville Vol. 2.0

 
It's over--again. Shaunie O'Neal has filed for separation from Shaq. According to TMZ, Shaunie flew to LA where she filed the papers and intends to file for divorce. Reason? Irreconcilable differences. Those who remember when Shaq was playing for the Miami Heat--those who happen to be female and live in, say, the Flamingo, shouldn't be shocked.
 

The Real NBA Wives of Miami?

Even though Shaquille O'Neal and wife Shaunie finally sold their zillion-dollar Star Island estate back in July to Naomi Campbell's billionaire boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin, for the bargain basement price of $16,000,000, the O'Neals may be back in town sooner than later if reality TV has anything to do with it. According to our spies at NYC's Fashion Week, Mrs. O'Neal, who was hanging out at M2 Ultralounge with Serena Williams yesterday and who was seen front and center at Project Runway contestant Ra'mon Lawrence's show at Touch, was also seen talking to TV executives all week, shopping around a reality show about NBA wives to be set in Miami. Although she is likely to cast several of her friends ("They can save costs and cast Gabrielle Union for about 7 of the players"--Lane Mitnick) , O'Neal, no stranger to tabloid press, will wisely remain behind the scenes for this show.

Bottom two photos: Trel Brock

Shaq's dirty divorce all cleaned up?

So it looks like Shaq and Shaunie have patched things up for good, as the duo was seen together last night at the former Heat player's birthday bash at The Sagamore. According to our spy, "They looked very chummy in the wee hours this morning." Shaq and Shaunie arrived together at 1 a.m. in a huge red convertible, a Rolls, our spy thinks, and were holding hands, acting all lovey dovey. Excellent! We have heard murmurs of their reconciliation and now here's possible proof! Now if only they can give some pointers to fellow player Dwyane Wade.

Photo:AventuraUSA.com

Shaquille O'Neal holding court again.

NBA-All Star Shaquille O’Neal dribbles into the courtroom of Judge Mathis on November 24. Turns out the NBA All-Star and popular TV Judge Greg Mathis have more in common than you would think. In 2002, Judge Mathis presided over the marriage of O’Neal and his wife Shaunie.  Both men share a love of the law and equal justice, Judge Mathis celebrating 10 years of courtroom success and O’Neal is a deputized sheriff in three states. 

Shaq and Shaunie Head for Splitsville

Sigh. And we thought they'd make it. At any rate, TMZ.com got a hold of papers filed by Shaunie O'Neal to find out how much money, exactly, Shaq brings in. The seven page document, "Wife's First Request For Production To Husband," was filed on October 27th and requests copies of federal and state income tax returns, Shaq's current player contract with the Miami Heat, a copy of ever deed of all property owned, a copy of each life insurance policy, payroll tax returns for all household employees at the Star Island  manse, trust documents, household expenses for Miami and Orlando, canceled checks for cell phone service, food and home supplies, meals outside the home, nanny salaries, chef salaries, W-2 forms, automobile expenses, childcare--including lunch money, orthodontic expenses, shrink appointments, summer camp and grooming--and pet expenses. There's more! All documents relating to the couple's 2007 Infiniti QX56, 2006 Mercedes 500, 2005 BMW, electric golf cart and their Epicure and Publix accounts. We can't wait to get the official tally.

Shaq and His Beard

A late tidbit on Shaq: he was spotted eating outside Brasserie on Brickell Key last Wednesday. He was with a few men and later on a "petite woman" joined them. Most likely Shaunie, but some witnesses there said it definitely wasn't her. That said, Shaq looked rough. "He was sporting a scraggly, unkept beard. Poor guy couldn't eat lunch in peace." Guess the beard didn't really do much to disguise him, huh?

Are Shaq and Shaunie Reconciling?

Spotted at Asaka in Aventura, Friday at 6:15 pm: Shaquille O'Neal, having dinner with soon to be ex (?) wife Shaunie, their two kids and an older woman who may be one of the grandmas. Apparently Shaq was filling up on sashimi before his pre season practice at 7. Says a spy, "They all looked very happy and comfortable." Hmmm. Perhaps they're getting back together or did they just agree on an amicable divorce settlement? Stay tuned.

Much Ado About Something?

Jerry Seinfeld's in town for a press junket for his new flick, Bee Movie, but more interesting than that are the rumors swirling in gossipland as to why Shaq and Shaunie really broke up. We heard the same thing but were afraid Shaq would crush us if we mentioned it. It's out now, and the rumor is that soon to be ex wife Shaunie had a fling with one of Shaq's personal trainers. Read the dirty details heresay here: http://janetcharltonshollywood.com/gossip/shaquille_oneal/theres_more_to_shaqs_divorce_than_meets_the_eye_20070922.php

Shaq-ing Up at The Flamingo

It’s not uncommon for the gym rats at DavidBartonGym Flamingo in Miami to kill time watching their fellow muscleheads and neighborhood kids play an impromptu game of hoops on the gym’s basketball court. Yesterday, however, they had quite a surprise when they realized that a particularly overgrown kid playing basketball was none other than Shaq shooting hoops with a gang of ball players half his age and a quarter of his size. Cool! Wonder how he fared against them in the free throw competition.