Shaquille O'Neal passed up Starbucks deal because 'black people don't drink coffee'

There aren't too many products Shaquille O'Neal won't shill for a few extra bucks, but earlier this week, the former NBA great admitted to turning away from a product that might be one of the worst business decisions he ever made: Refusing an offer to team up with Starbucks.

"My agent called me up and he says 'Howard Schultz wants to do business with you,' " O'Neal told Yahoo's Graham Bensinger. "And I'm like, 'Coffee, eh.' Because growing up, in my household, I'd never seen a black person drink coffee. So it was my thought process that black people didn't drink coffee."

Schultz, Starbucks' CEO, suggested opening franchises in predominantly African-American communities with the Hall of Famer's help. 

O'Neal revealed that he grew up drinking sweet tea and hot chocolate and, at the time of the proposed business venture, O'Neal said as a principle, he only invested in things he believed in.

"No amount of money can make me endorse something I'm not 100-percent behind," O'Neal said. "So I looked the great Howard Schultz in the face, and I said, 'Black people don't drink coffee, sir. I don't think it's gonna work.' "

O'Neal said Schultz was shocked by his response.

"You should've seen his face," the retired NBA star said. 

O'Neal also thinks the decision likely cost him millions.

"That was one of my worst business decisions," he said through laughs. "Now, every time, on every corner in every city, every country, you see a Starbucks, I'm like, 'Awww.' "

And the nickname The Trenta Latte does have a nice ring to it.

Terrell Owens gets into nasty confrontation outside Starbucks (VIDEO)

Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens was involved in a verbal altercation with a man outside of California Starbucks — and it ain't pretty.

According to TMZ Sports, the man threw a cup of liquid and was shouting racist remarks at Owens, leading to the former All-Pro getting in the man's face. TMZ Sports released a video of the incident both inside and outside of the Brentwood establishment. 

(WARNING: Videos contain foul and insensitive language):

The seemingly over-caffeinated dude has reportedly filed a police report against Owens, claiming he was hit with a hot cup of coffee, and police are still investigating.

TMZ Sports identified the man as "Arman," who denied throwing anything at Owens and claimed Owens "kicked me in the Starbucks." He also said he wanted to make Owens "mad and sad."

There is no evidence in the video, which was captured outside of the coffee shop, that Owens physically assaulted the man. The two have a heated exchange for just over one minute before they appear to go their separate ways. 

      

Owens played 15 seasons in the NFL, last appearing in a regular-season game with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010. He did have a three-week preseason stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 but was released at the end of August.

Nationals' Doug Fister buys ev-er-y-one a cup of coffee for Christmas

Washington Nationals pitcher Doug Fister really got into the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve and wanted all of his Twitter followers to enjoy a nice warm beverage — on him.

Fister posted a barcode on his Twitter page and told followers to have a Starbucks barista scan it for a free cup of coffee. He also warned potential Grinches to only use the freebie deal once.

Merry Christmas Eve! Have a Starbucks on us! Have the barista scan the pic below. Don't be a grinch, please use for 1 pic.twitter.com/Npzh6QiyRa
— Doug Fister (@dougfister58) December 24, 2014

Of course every good thing has to come to an end and Fister later apologized for the limited time offer after it ran out.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. The gift card was meant as a first come, first serve until the amount ran out, just a little holiday gift.
— Doug Fister (@dougfister58) December 24, 2014

Although it wasn't the Beats headphones you asked Santa for, it really is the thought. Right?

[SI.com]

Starbucks outlet smuggled into Sochi by NBC: Report

It's not an official sponsor of the Sochi Olympics — and strict rules ban it from having an official presence at the Winter Olympics — but that hasn't stopped Starbucks from sneaking a private outlet into the Olympic media center at Sochi compliments of NBC.

And it's no small operation either. The coffee shop has more staff than the delegations of some countries taking part in the games.

McDonald's is supposed to be the only branded coffee player at the Olympics with its McCafe outlets but hidden away inside NBC's cordoned-off section, intended specifically for NBC staff, there's a not-so-secret Starbucks.

It's never easy standing in the path of someone jonesing for their morning fix of a grande skinny carmel macchiato. 

The worldwide coffee chain runs 24-hours a day serving the 2,500 people NBC, which paid $775 million for exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for the Games, has sent to the Olympic host city.

Keeping it going takes a fair share of caffeine as well.

NBC flies in a rotating crew of around 15 baristas from Starbucks coffee shops in Russia. It sets them up with accommodation in Sochi, and pays their regular wages.

NBC says its Starbucks doesn't break Olympic rules because it isn't open to the public. And the network reportedly keeps "pretty tight security" around the coffee spot, but notes that "we don't mind sharing a bit" with other broadcasters.

The International Olympic Committee is vigilant in keeping at bay brands that haven't paid for sponsor privileges.

In the past, markings on non sponsor brands of elevators, light switches and even thermostats have been covered up.

IOC representative Rachel Rominger told The Wall Street Journal that the NBC Starbucks isn't violating any rules.

She says the broadcasters can bring in "supplementary facilities," so long as the companies providing the services don't publicize or suggest any association with the Olympics.

McDonald's shrugged off the unofficial presence of its rival.