Shaquille O'Neal Becoming Papa John's Brand Ambassador, Joins BOD

Shaquille O'Neal has "signed a marketing agreement" to become a Papa John's brand ambassador, and will join the Louisville-based chain's BOD, according to Matthew Glowicki of the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL. Papa John's is still "working to remake its image in the wake of scandal." It is "unclear what form" O'Neal's marketing agreement will take, though he has "long been the public face of many companies" (COURIER-JOURNAL.com, 3/22). O’Neal said when he first met with Papa John’s CEO Steve Ritchie and Chair Jeffrey Smith, they “talked about diversifying their leadership role and they wanted me to be the first African-American on the board.” O’Neal, who also is investing in nine Papa John’s restaurants in Atlanta, said, “We want to create a culture there now where people are loved, welcomed and accepted.” Smith said O’Neal is a “natural leader and a natural marketer” but he also owns and operates other restaurants, so he is "going to be a real value enhancer on the board’ (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 3/22).