Shaq to Front ABC Competition Series

BURBANK: The new one-hour series Shaq Vs., debuting on ABC August 18, will feature NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal competing against other top athletes in a range of sporting events.

Each week Shaq will test his athletic prowess off the basketball court by competing against other sports stars in their area of expertise. He challenges Olympian and World Champion Michael Phelps in swimming; Ben Roethlisberger, Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, in football; reigning U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams in tennis; championship fighter Oscar de la Hoya in boxing; two time NL MVP and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in baseball; and Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor in beach volleyball.

“These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge,” said O’Neal. “I plan to train hard and win, so look out.”

“Shaq is the only one with the athletic skills and personality to carry this unique project,” commented John Saade and Vicki Dummer, co-heads of alternative series, specials and late-night at ABC Entertainment Group. “It’s Shaq versus the best athletes in the world, competitors who aren’t afraid of the challenge… or Shaq’s humor.”

“We have always created projects through partnerships with top-name talent, and Shaquille O’Neal is a superstar,” added Media Rights Capital’s CEO, Modi Wiczyk. “MRC is thrilled to be working with Shaq and dick clark productions on Shaq Vs.”