<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div>Shaquille O'Neal didn't just want an iPhone—he wanted the first one. Before the press, before the celebrities, before the world.But even being a four-time NBA champion with global fame and a tech obsession couldn't get him ahead of Apple's notoriously secretive rollout in 2007. So what did he do? He pulled some strings, got Steve Jobs' personal number, and called—a lot.&#34;Stevie baby, it's Shaqy—can I get one of those iPhones?&#34; he recalled asking. But Jobs wouldn't cave. &#34;He said, ‘Shaq, I can't, I can't, I can't,'&#34; O'Neal recounted speaking to Mashable at SXSW in 2013. &#34;I got a lot of celebrities calling me… you gotta wait, Shaq.&#34;Don't Miss:<ul> <li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</li> <li>Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal: Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold.</li> </ul>This wasn't a one-time ask. Shaq was relentless. He wanted the first iPhone not just because it was cool, but because, as he put it, &#34;when you're at the forefront of stuff, it's like bragging rights.&#34;In a 2012 interview with Fast Company, he gave more context—and a little more heart. &#34;I always wanted to be the one that's on the edge of the technological curve,&#34; he said. And when the iPhone was about to drop, he did what any certified tech nerd with a rolodex full of Silicon Valley contacts would do: he called in the favor. Over and over.&#34;The great Steve Jobs, rest in peace,&#34; Shaq said at the time. &#34;When the iPhone was first coming out, I used to call him every other day. Can I please get one first? He never gave me one. He was a great guy.&#34;Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Today's Best Finance DealsThe way Shaq tells it, you get the sense he wasn't even annoyed. In fact, he seemed to respect Jobs even more for sticking to his guns.Shaq's not just a tech dabbler—he's a full-on enthusiast. &#34;I'm a nerd, I'm a techie, I'm a geek,&#34; he proudly declared in a 2013 Bloomberg interview. &#34;All those terms we thought were funny are now in—and I'm proud to say I'm in.&#34;And he meant it. In 2015, Shaq invested in Ring, the smart doorbell company, after installing one himself and becoming a fan. He didn't stop at writing a check—he appeared in commercials and even went door-to-door helping install units in Georgia homes. When Amazon later acquired Ring in a reported $1 billion deal, Shaq's bragging rights became even more legit.He also backed Oura, the smart ring that tracks sleep, recovery, and readiness scores. Because for a guy who's lived life at full throttle, it turns out the tech that monitors rest might be just as valuable as the tech that gets people hyped.While basketball thrives on fierce competition, Shaq says the tech world operates on a completely different vibe. &#34;In the basketball world, it's, ‘This is mine, and you can't have it,'&#34; he explained. &#34;But in tech, everybody's helping each other out. Kudos to the techie guys for everybody just having handshake deals.&#34; He went on to say there's more than enough innovation and opportunity to go around. &#34;There's enough technology and enough dream space for everybody to survive,&#34; he added.So no, Shaq never got that iPhone early. But he did get the last laugh—by diving headfirst into the tech world, not as a brand ambassador, but as a true geek with bragging rights of a different kind.Because it's not just about being first. It's about being in. And on that front, Shaq's already won.Image: Shutterstock</div></div></div>

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Shaquille O'Neal sought to be the first to own an iPhone, even calling Steve Jobs directly for a favor. Despite his persistence, Jobs denied his request, emphasizing the exclusivity of the launch. Shaq, a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast, later invested in tech companies like Ring and Oura, showcasing his passion for technology. He appreciates the collaborative spirit in the tech industry, contrasting it with the competitive nature of basketball. Ultimately, while he didn't get the iPhone first, Shaq found success and fulfillment in the tech world.

- Shaquille O'Neal sought to obtain the first iPhone in 2007, persistently contacting Steve Jobs for a favor but ultimately receiving no special treatment.  
- Despite not getting the iPhone early, Shaq embraced his passion for technology, investing in companies like Ring and Oura, and actively participating in the tech community.  
- He appreciates the collaborative nature of the tech industry compared to the competitive world of basketball, finding fulfillment in being part of the technological landscape.

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Shaq Wanted The First iPhone For Ultimate Bragging Rights—So He Called Steve Jobs: 'Stevie Baby, it's Shaqy…' But Jobs Told Him No