Michael Jordan was shown up by a fellow sporting legend at a Las Vegas casino.

NBA legend Michael Jordan was once shown up in public by a fellow sporting legend after only tipping a Las Vegas waitress $5.

Jordan, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful sportsmen of all time, had an obsession with winning.

That famous competitive streak came in handy and he very rarely came out of a situation on the losing side… but one night in Las Vegas, he did

Rich Strafella, the former VP of Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, recalled a brilliant tale of Jordan gambling with ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky as a waitress brought their drinks.

“I remember a night when Wayne Gretzky insulted Michael Jordan at the table,” Strafella said.

“It was a private salon game. Michael had ordered a drink from the cocktail waitress, and he gave her a five-dollar chip.

“Wayne took it off the cocktail waitress’s tray, gave it back to Michael, grabbed a hundred-dollar chip from Michael’s stack and put it on the cocktail waitress’s tray. Then he said, ‘That’s how we tip in Las Vegas, Michael.'”

Savage stuff from Gretzky, who remains on good terms with MJ.

According to Forbes, Chicago Bulls icon Jordan is worth $3.2 billion thanks to a career which brought him six NBA championships, all of which saw him win finals MVP.

He’s also a savvy businessman and has a number of lucrative deals with the world’s biggest brands such as Nike and Gatorade.

The 61-year-old is so flush with cash, he even rejected an eye-watering $100 million for a two-hour appearance.

Image credit: Getty

David Falk, Jordan’s representative, has shed light on some of the opportunities Jordan has said no during his time working for him.

Speaking to WFAN, he explained: “[Jordan] turned down a deal to do a one-day golf appearance when he was in Asia a few years ago for a pre-season game with Charlotte.

“And some woman in the Philippines offered me seven million dollars for one day, wanted him to play in a golf tournament. And he turned it down.

“I brought him a deal three years ago for 100 million dollars.

“And all he had to do, other than give his name and likeness, was make one two-hour appearance to announce the deal. And he turned it down.”

Shaquille O’Neal forgets buying $160K custom luxury vehicle, leaves fans stunned: “This how rich I’m trying to be”

Shaquille O’Neal recently forgot that he had ordered a custom 2024 Ford Escalade. The NBA legend was surprised to see the $160,000 car delivered to his home. The video of his reaction went viral. Fans found it amusing and shared jokes about his wealth and forgetfulness. The custom vehicle was specially modified to fit his 7’1″ frame.
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Shaquille O’Neal recently proved that when you’re as wealthy and busy as he is, even a $160,000 car purchase can slip your mind. The NBA legend was caught on camera reacting with surprise when a custom Ford Escalade was delivered to his home—only to realize he had actually ordered it himself. Fans quickly chimed in, joking that the dealership might be playing tricks on the 7’1” Hall-of-Famer.

Shaquille O’Neal’s custom Ford Escalade delivery goes viral

This wasn’t the first time that Shaquille O’Neal forgot that he had bought a car, and it kind of felt like just another day for the big man. The custom-built 2024 Ford Escalade, priced at $160,000, was designed to accommodate his towering frame. However, when the vehicle arrived, Shaq seemed genuinely confused, taking a moment to remember he had placed the order.

The video of his reaction spread quickly, showing Shaq admiring the car’s massive 26” Travis Scott wheels and spacious interior. Clearly impressed, he even shouted at fellow tall athletes, saying, “Hey Victor Wembanyama, all you 7-footers, you better call my boys.”

Fans react to Shaq’s forgetfulness with jokes and admiration

Social media users had a field day with the clip. Many marveled at Shaq’s level of wealth, with one Instagram commenter writing, “They just bringing him cars and charging him.” Another added, “I want to be this rich I forget I bought two cars.”
Others joked about the dealership’s potential tactics. One user quipped, “Man, it gotta be amazing to be rich and forget about a car u bought,” while another said, “I need Shaq type of money I swear.”
There was another fan who commented something that a lot of regular people would relate to. They said, “And here I go calling the bank because 0.5 cent is missing.”

Why Shaq needed a custom-built car

At 7’1”, finding a comfortable car is no easy task for Shaquille O’Neal. Standard vehicles simply don’t provide enough legroom, forcing him to order custom modifications. The Ford Escalade was specially adjusted to fit his size, making it a rare purchase even for someone with his resources.

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The clip also made its way to X, where users continued to share their amusement. Many pointed out that Shaq’s reaction was relatable—just on a much more extravagant scale.
Also read: Luka Doncic on LeBron James’ return: “He’s back, so it’s going to be easier for everybody” – Los Angeles Lakers eye championship push
Whether the dealership is genuinely taking advantage of Shaq’s amnesia or simply providing excellent service, one thing is certain: even a six-figure car may be an afterthought when you’re a living legend.