Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal "became the most prominent
SAG member to defy the union" by taping an "I'm going to
Disneyland" spot after his team's Game Six victory against
the Pacers Monday night, according to Dave McNary of DAILY
VARIETY, who notes that Disney began running the ad
yesterday. O'Neal, who "also became the first" NBA player
"to break ranks," shot the ad "even though his reps had been
notified several times in recent weeks" about the strike.
O'Neal's agent, Leonard Armato, said that his client "viewed
the spot" as a PSA because he "donated the proceeds to
charity." Armato: "He does not view this as an ad but an
aberration." But Todd Amorde, Chair of the strike strategy
committee, said, "In a strike situation, there are no
special circumstances. A scab is a scab." McNary writes
that O'Neal's "defiance of SAG may force" the union into the
"uncomfortable public position of disciplining or expelling
one of the world's most popular sports stars from its ranks"
(DAILY VARIETY, 6/21). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's David Robb
notes that the money O'Neal earns from the ad will go to his
charitable fund, which helps underprivileged children. But
SAG spokesperson Greg Krizman said O'Neal's name "will be
added to the list of the other athletes who have performed
struck work." Robb adds SAG is "gearing up to discipline
members who have performed in struck commercials, and one of
the penalties is expulsion." While such an action "wouldn't
prevent" actors/athletes from working on films, commercials
or TV shows, it "could prove particularly embarrassing" for
O'Neal, as he has "made a name for himself in show business"
(HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/21). Krizman: "Unlike some other
athletes who are not media-wise or savvy, Shaquille O'Neal
has done movies and music videos. I think he's at a much
higher level of awareness of SAG and what our issues are."
Armato added O'Neal "remains supportive of the strike and
feels an affinity with the actors. This was a one-time
result of a [Lakers'] championship" (L.A. TIMES, 6/21).
