Sports

Shaquille O'Neal Gets Exciting Personal News Before March Madness Starts

Just days before March Madness takes over the college basketball world, Shaquille O'Neal received some major off-court news tied to one of his newest basketball ventures.

The NBA Hall of Famer has spent the past year expanding his footprint in the college game after joining the Sacramento State men's basketball program as its general manager.

Now that experiment is about to reach a much bigger audience.

On Thursday, it was reported that Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions is teaming up with Overtime on a new behind-the-scenes docuseries centered on Sacramento State basketball.

The six-episode series, titled “Fear Nothing: Sac State,” will stream on The Roku Channel and follow the program throughout the 2025–26 season under head coach Mike Bibby and general manager O'Neal.

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Sacramento State has quietly become one of the most intriguing programs in the sport over the past year.

In March 2025, the school hired Bibby, best known for his standout career with the Sacramento Kings and as a former NCAA champion at Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball, as its new head coach.

The move marked Bibby's first Division I head coaching job and signaled a bold attempt to elevate a program that historically struggled to gain traction.

Shortly afterward, the Hornets added even more star power by naming O'Neal as general manager of basketball operations.

The four-time NBA champion took on the role in a voluntary capacity, focusing on recruiting, marketing, NIL opportunities, and overall program development.

The idea of an NBA legend serving as a college program's GM is still relatively new, but it reflects how modern college athletics is evolving.

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Sacramento State's experiment has not yet translated into immediate on-court success.

During the 2025–26 season, Bibby's first at the helm, the Hornets finished 10–21 overall and 6–12 in the Big Sky Conference.

But in some ways, the results on the court may not be the main story.

With March Madness just days away, college basketball is at the center of the sports world.

Yet the NCAA Tournament typically highlights powerhouse programs and blue-blood brands.

By contrast, “Fear Nothing: Sac State” flips the narrative by focusing on a mid-major program still trying to build its identity.

That underdog angle is part of the appeal.

Sacramento State has never appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament, making the Hornets one of the sport's longest-running outsiders.

The docuseries is expected to premiere on May 1, with new episodes dropping weekly.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 5:21 PM.

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