Shaquille O'Neal Takes on the Biggest Sunday in Sports With 'Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl' - The Ultimate Big Game Kickoff Show Live From Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Migos, DJ Diesel and Superstar Special Guest TBA to Headline The Halftime Show Presented by Pepsi Stronger Together Hosted by Terrell Owens & Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson; Featuring Ezekiel Elliott, Anthony Anderson, Nelly, Tim Tebow, Quavo, Offset, Winnie Harlow, Olivia Culpo, Diplo, Drew McIntyre, The Miz and More Competing in Live Challenges; Plus, an Epic Live Performance From Bryson Tiller Presented by Papa John's

The biggest Sunday in sports just got SHAQ sized - Shaquille O'Neal is set to bring his unrivaled game-day energy to millions of living rooms with the ultimate Big Game Sunday Kick-Off Show: Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl. Broadcasting live from Tampa, Florida, in a custom-built SHAQ Bowl stadium, the all-new event will feature professional athletes, celebrities, and A-list stars across two teams competing in fun, viral challenges to win the first-ever SHAQ Bowl Trophy. The live three-hour special begins Sunday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. ET and is available for free on Facebook (@SHAQ) and via SHAQBowl.com. Additionally, it will be simulcasted by LiveXLive across 20+ other platforms including LiveXLive, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Twitter, and more. 

"The Big Game looks pretty different than it has in years past. With no in-person events, I decided to team up with Mercari to create The SHAQ Bowl and connect fans across America on the biggest Sunday in sports," said Shaquille O'Neal. "We've got celebrity-fueled viral challenges, plus a superstar musical lineup for our Halftime Show. Be prepared for the most exciting and action-packed kickoff event ever!"

Known as the Big Game Weekend's most in-demand and buzzed-about event, Shaq's Fun House returns as The SHAQ Bowl. Hosted by Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, 4x Pro-Bowler Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and Sarah Walsh, featuring an unrivaled slate of celebrity guests, SHAQ is inviting America to join him for the biggest kickoff event of all time. 

The SHAQ Bowl Halftime Show Presented by Pepsi Stronger Together will feature multi-platinum recording artist Migos, DJ Diesel, and a Superstar Special Guest TBA in a one-of-a-kind performance. Plus, Pepsi will present Restaurant Battles, showcasing four local Tampa restaurants live on The SHAQ Bowl competing for a $10,000 grant.

The Corona® brand is bringing beach vibes and game-day excitement to fans at home as The Official Beer and Hard Seltzer of The SHAQ Bowl. Papa John's® is serving up its all-new Epic Stuffed Crust featuring an epic performance from Bryson Tiller presented by Papa John's. Fans at home will do what moves them and enjoy a BACARDÍ Coco Conga - The Official Cocktail of The SHAQ Bowl. 

Mercari presents The SHAQ Bowl will showcase professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and musical artists in a series of show-stopping viral challenges. The full list of participating talent includes: 

• Team Kansas City - Diplo, Ezekiel Elliott, Olivia Culpo, Quavo, Steve-O, The Miz 
• Team Tampa Bay - Anthony Anderson, Drew McIntyre, Nelly, Offset, Tim Tebow, Winnie Harlow

Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl Celebrity Challenges Live From Tampa: 

• #PassTheBall Challenge Presented by Mercari - A sports obstacle course that will include football, basketball, golf, and more 
• Celebrity Dodgeball - Prepare for the ultimate game of celebrity dodgeball 
• Hot Wing Challenge Presented by Truff - Shaquille O'Neal will find out who can handle the heat in this hot wing battle featuring Truff hot sauce 
• Tug-of-War Presented by JCPenney - The biggest battle of strength will be officiated by Shaquille O'Neal 
• Dance Challenge Presented by Aéropostale - Shaquille O'Neal will serve as a judge when the teams bring their swagger to the dance floor 
• Six-Pack Challenge Presented by Emsculpt Neo - Witness the celebrity teams as they duke it out in a sit-up challenge to determine which team has the most grit and which celebrity has the strongest core
• Sauce Showdown Presented by Skillshare - Bring "all the boys to the yard" with a game-day skill test led by famed "Milkshake" R&B singer and chef Kelis
• Surf's Up Challenge Presented by Nautica - An ocean-inspired challenge to test which team can last the longest on a mechanical surfboard 

In addition to the celebrity challenges, Shaquille O'Neal will join in on the fun with one very special challenge:

• Shaquille O'Neal vs. Bryson The #EpicStuffs Challenge Presented by Papa John's - An epic race between SHAQ and Bryson Tiller in Papa John's Epic Stuffed Chair, the ultimate sports-watching seat to enjoy the new Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza. 

Mercari, The Presenting Partner of The SHAQ Bowl, connects millions of people across the U.S. to shop and sell almost anything. Aiming to empower the next generation of athletes by giving them access to pre-loved equipment and gear, sellers on Mercari have the opportunity to "Pass the Ball" to those following in their footsteps. "Mercari is delighted to bring a new element of fun to this year's all-new Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl," said John Lagerling, Mercari US CEO. "This has been a challenging year for many Americans and, at its core, Mercari is about connecting people. We look forward to partnering with SHAQ to bring people together across America in what is sure to be Big Game Sunday's most exciting event." The partnership is highlighted by the forthcoming Mercari x SHAQ Bowl shop, which will offer limited-edition SHAQ Bowl signed memorabilia to benefit The Boys & Girls Club of America. Fans can learn more about the shop at SHAQBOWL.com.

The SHAQ Bowl Halftime Show Presented by Pepsi Stronger Together - Pepsi's series of grassroots initiatives bringing tailored programming to communities around the country - will feature multi-platinum recording artist Migos, DJ Diesel, and a Superstar Special Guest TBA in a one-of-a-kind performance. In addition, Pepsi Stronger Together is partnering with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to donate $100,000 in grants to help struggling bay-area restaurants. Through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), Pepsi and the NRAEF will award $10,000 grants to Tampa restaurants - recipients of which will be announced live during the SHAQ Bowl. 

"Shaq has been an invaluable partner for Pepsi Stronger Together, helping us give back to communities around the country while inspiring people to take action," said Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America. "We have seen an incredible response in cities from Miami to Memphis, Louisville to Washington, D.C. - from a charitable food drive, a community basketball court refurbishment, to mentorship programs with local universities - and we are thrilled to be able to give back to Tampa Bay's small business community with the wildly popular SHAQ Bowl as a platform." 

Papa John's has teamed up once again with Shaquille O'Neal, a Papa John's board member and restaurant owner to showcase the brand's all-new Epic Stuffed Crust. During The SHAQ Bowl, Papa John's will present a performance from legendary artist Bryson Tiller, known for his 2016 breakout TrapSoul, which paved the way for his musical career while an employee at Papa John's. Most of all, fans won't want to miss SHAQ vs. Bryson in "The #EpicStuffs Challenge Presented by Papa John's," where the pair will race to the finish line in a Papa John's Epic Stuffed Chair, the grand prize of the Epic Stuffs Sweepstakes the company is holding from now until Feb. 14. To learn how to enter and see rules, visit www.papajohns.com/sweepstakes.

In a year where tailgates are fewer and watch parties are more intimate, BACARDÍ is bringing game-day excitement to fans at home with its Coco Conga, a delicious coconut mojito, the official cocktail of The SHAQ Bowl. BACARDÍ encourages fans across the globe to "do what moves you" with the cocktail inspired by the brand's reimagining of the global hit "Conga" releasing this week.

Corona® will present a special segment full of surprises with some of Shaquille O'Neal's closest friends.

Skillshare is excited to bring one of its celebrity teachers, Grammy-nominated artist-turned-cooking-icon Kelis, to The SHAQ Bowl. Kelis' sauce-making class is one of tens of thousands of classes that Skillshare members can explore, including illustration, photography, film, design, productivity, and so much more. In addition to teaching a new skill to each participant and judging their newfound mastery, or lack thereof, she'll also provide recipe demos for viewers at home looking to up their game-day sauce regime. 

Xersion® activewear, available only at JCPenney, has created the custom jerseys for SHAQ's celebrity teams which will compete in a series of viral challenges including Tug-of-War Presented by JCPenney. SHAQ will officiate Tug-of-War as the teams battle it out in what is sure to be a highlight of the show. Xersion activewear is built for performance and inspires the Motivation to Move, regardless of size or fitness level. 

During the trying times of today, the thought of a six-pack is going straight to the store and bypassing the gym. Watch some of your favorite celebrities take on a six-pack challenge brought to you by Emsculpt Neo, the first FDA-cleared 2-in-1 body contouring treatment that simultaneously melts fat while building muscle. Who will survive? Which celebrity contestants will be smart enough to seek out Emsculpt Neo in advance to get 12-16 weeks of HIIT training in, 30% fat reduction and a 25% increase in muscle?

The SHAQ Bowl is produced by Medium Rare, in partnership with ABG Entertainment. Medium Rare's track record at Big Game Weekend is second to none with some of the most viral events in history including Gronk Beach and Shaq's Fun House. Now pulling in huge audiences for primetime broadcasts, Medium Rare recently produced The Sports Illustrated Awards, SHAQ vs GRONK, and Black Entrepreneurs Day. This live broadcast, merging incredible celebrity-fueled challenges, a halftime show, and championship predictions from some of the greatest names in the game, will be no exception as it's poised to be watched by millions of fans around the country.

"We are incredibly excited to deliver Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl to millions of Americans on the biggest day for sports and entertainment of the year. There is a real need for an entertainment-driven Big Game kickoff show and The SHAQ Bowl will not only be a warm-up to the Big Game, but a pop culture phenomenon in its own right," said Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman, Medium Rare. 

"Building off of the success of the innovative events we have co-produced with Medium Rare, we are incredibly proud to unveil The SHAQ Bowl as an extraordinary Big Game show watched by millions of fans around the country and developed in partnership with some of the greatest names in the business," said Marc Rosen, President - Entertainment at ABG.

The SHAQ Bowl will air live from Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7, from a brand-new, custom-built studio. The live, three-hour special begins at  3 p.m. ET and is available for free on Facebook (@SHAQ) and via SHAQBowl.com. Additionally, it will be simulcasted by LiveXLive across 20+ other platforms including LiveXLive, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Twitter, and more.

Final Event Flyer

3D SHAQ Bowl Stadium Map

Shaq's Fun House Photo Highlights

About Medium Rare 

Focused at the intersection of Sports & Entertainment, Medium Rare partners with global icons to build live event and content brands. Medium Rare is the creator and producer of: Shaq's Fun House, Gronk Beach, Black Entrepreneurs Day, The Sports Illustrated Awards, SHAQ vs GRONK, and more. Medium Rare also manages and produces custom activations for leading brands and icons including DJ Diesel aka Shaquille O'Neal, Rob Gronkowski, DJ Carnage, and Virgin Voyages. Medium Rare was founded by Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman, who previously worked with global festivals across Live Nation, Tomorrowland, and LiveStyle. Earlier this year, Joe and Adam were named to the Forbes 30U30 list and Pollstar's Next Gen Impact list. Learn more at www.Medium-Rare.com.

About ABG Entertainment

ABG Entertainment offers unparalleled storytelling through long-form and short-form content, live event production, hospitality and immersive experiences in collaboration with the world's most influential creators, distributors, brands and artists. ABG Entertainment is a division of Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development, marketing and entertainment company, and owner of a portfolio of iconic and renowned brands that generate more than $14 billion in retail sales worldwide. For more information, visit authenticbrandsgroup.com.

About Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal is one of the world's most successful athlete-turned-businessman, whose accomplishments both on and off the court have translated into a highly sought-after consumer brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador, Shaquille O'Neal's signature "Business of Fun" mantra resonates throughout each of his countless endeavors. The 15-time NBA All-Star's unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer. Currently, O'Neal is an analyst on TNT's Emmy Award-winning "Inside the NBA." O'Neal, who has a Ph.D. in Leadership and Education, gives back through a number of annual philanthropic programs including Shaq to School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq a Claus. The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken has further elevated Shaquille's status as he has positioned himself as a successful restaurateur. A second Big Chicken location is open in Glendale, California, and additional locations will debut at sea on Carnival Cruise Lines Radiance and Mardi Gras. Follow Shaquille O'Neal on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.

About Mercari US

Mercari, Inc. ("Mercari") is your marketplace. Our platform connects millions of people across the U.S. to shop and sell items no longer being used. Mercari is constantly innovating to make exchanges easier, from at-home authentication to improvements in online payments and shipping. Mercari has more than 50 million downloads in the U.S. and 350,000 new listings every day, empowering the next generation to transform the way they shop. Mercari can be downloaded on app stores or accessed online through www.mercari.com.

About Pepsi Stronger Together

Pepsi Stronger Together is a national initiative to empower and engage communities around the country by providing tailored programming and resources that bring people together. It was conceived with the idea that now, more than ever, we must foster a sense of connection and belonging, starting by investing locally. Launched in May of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - engaging its network of partners in the South to shine a spotlight on essential front-line workers in a variety of industries - Pepsi Stronger Together was expanded in October of 2020 by partnering with NBA teams and charitable organizations to foster, among other things, community and police relations. Get involved at pepsistrongertogether.com and follow the conversation on social media with @pepsistrongertogether. 

About Corona® Brand Family 

The Corona brand family is home to Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Familiar, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, and Corona Hard Seltzer. The entire Corona portfolio is brewed in Mexico by Constellation Brands and imported and marketed exclusively to the U.S. by the company. As always, Corona encourages consumers 21 and older to enjoy its products and to Relax responsibly^®.

Media Contacts:
Zach Rosenfield - [email protected]
Amanda Sprague - [email protected]

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Mercari Presents The SHAQ Bowl

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The SHAQ Bowl Stadium

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