Big Man, Big Big Bucks

Wilt, Kareem, Magic and now, Los Angeles, get ready for Shaq. In a gold-plated bid for more NBA championships, the Lakers have pledged $120 million--a pile that must stand higher that the 7-foot-1 Shaquille O’Neal himself--to sign the Orlando Magic superstar center to a seven-year contract. Staggering. Uplifting. Way up, about $17 million a year. The Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan has signed a one-year contract for $30 million, but Jordan, at 33, won’t be playing in the NBA as long as the 24-year-old O’Neal.

Laker owner Jerry Buss and general manager Jerry West are investing in more than a great player. O’Neal is a star. His rap records sell. He’s in the flicks. His latest, “Kazaam,” opened this week, with Shaq playing a 3,000-year-old genie. Try to watch an evening of TV without seeing O’Neal flogging a product at ad breaks. Can’t be done.

To make their mind-numbing offer and stay under the NBA cap for team salaries, the Lakers had to deal off some talented young players. Is there any other downside to this deal? Well, Laker fans are going to pay for the pleasure of watching Shaq play ball. A cheap Laker seat has cost $9.50. It’s now going to $21. Hello Hollywood.