- Shaquille O’Neal reached an $11M settlement in a class-action lawsuit involving Astrals NFTs.
- Plaintiffs accused him of promoting unregistered securities during the NFT boom.
- The settlement includes $2.9M in attorney fees and covers buyers from May 2022 to Jan 15, 2023.
The lawsuit, led by plaintiff Daniel Harper, centered on O’Neal’s active promotion of the Astrals NFT project. It is a Solana-based collection integrated into a virtual world.
In April 2025, Judge Federico Moreno approved the $11 million settlement, resolving the suit without O’Neal admitting any wrongdoing.
Shaq Pays Up: Court Approves $11M Deal in Astrals NFT Lawsuit
Shaquille O’Neal’s role in promoting the Astrals NFT project placed him under legal scrutiny. This happened after investors claimed they were misled into buying unregistered securities. The Astrals NFTs, along with GLXY tokens, were positioned as part of an immersive digital universe. Users could interact and play there, closely tied to O’Neal’s own branding.
Plaintiffs highlighted Shaq’s direct participation in the Astrals Discord server. He rallied users with bold posts and memes, creating perceived endorsement and credibility. These interactions were cited as evidence of his deeper involvement, beyond typical celebrity promotions.
When the NFT market collapsed in 2022 and 2023, the project rapidly lost value. Investors argued they were left with worthless assets, while O’Neal distanced himself from the project, intensifying accusations of misleading endorsements.
This settlement doesn’t include any admission of guilt from O’Neal. Still, it does reflect mounting accountability for celebrities involved in crypto promotions. As digital assets continue to evolve legally, the line between endorsement and liability is getting thinner.
Shaq’s settlement signals a shift in how courts may hold celebrities responsible for their roles in hyped crypto ventures. This is especially true when real losses are involved.
Shaq’s influence amplified Astrals’ visibility. As this case shows, star power can carry legal weight when financial harm follows.
