Shaq News

Shaq pops by Irving 7-Eleven to hype his blueberry beverage

Shaq at 7-Eleven

7-Eleven

Multi-faceted celebrity Shaquille O'Neal recently hit a Dallas-area 7-Eleven, and we got the photo to prove it. The NBA Hall of Famer made a surprise appearance on June 17 at the 7-Eleven at 7480 N. SH 161 Service Rd., in Irving to promote his latest business venture, a brand of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages called BeatBox, in which both Shaq and entrepreneur Mark Cuban are investors.

BeatBox was founded in Austin as an MBA project by three University of Texas students in 2013. They received one of the largest deals in Shark Tank history with Cuban investing $1 million for a third of the company in 2014.

They consist of fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages that measure 11.1 percent alcohol — more than beer but less than wine — in flavors such as watermelon lemonade, orange blast, lemon squeeze, and cherry limeade. (The alcohol they use is wine.) They're $4 for a 17-ounce carton and are sold at supermarkets such as Kroger, liquor stores such as Total Wine — and 7-Eleven stores, duh.

Shaq, who tours the world as DJ Diesel, kept seeing BeatBox at many of the where he performed and was impressed by the brand’s passion for live music and fanbase. He asked Cuban about investing in BeatBox and Cuban encouraged him to invest.

BeatBox solicited their new investor to collaborate on a flavor: Blueberry Lemonade, which they introduced in March.

Shaq was joined at the 7-Eleven by the company founders, along with fans, store patrons, and a phalanx of police officers.

Shaq is known for his fun-loving presence on the basketball court but he's also a Dallas homeowner and a busy entrepreneur: founder of the Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Festival, where BeatBox has been a beverage vendor, as well as a restaurateur in his own right, having recently opened a location of his Big Chicken chain in Fort Worth in 2024.

celebrities

Pickleball News

Indoor pickleball concept from Georgia bounces into Frisco

Ace

Pickleball paddles face off.

There's a new indoor pickleball concept coming to Dallas: Called Ace Pickleball Club, it's a growing chain from Georgia, making its Texas debut in Frisco in an old BuyBuy Baby space at at 2930 Preston Rd. #600. According to a release, it opens July 12.

Ace Pickleball was founded in Roswell, Georgia in 2023, and calls itself the only facility of its kind, delivering a member-focused approach and all-inclusive pricing.

Professional-grade cushioned courts and a welcoming community create the optimal playing experience for all skill levels. The chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S. including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

They emphasize an inclusive community with unlimited open play, and offer clinics, tournaments, social events, and ball machine reservations. They also offer paddle demos so that members can test out the newest technology from a variety of brands to find their favorite.

When they open, they'll offer free introductory pickleball clinics for beginners to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game.

Ace Pickleball ClubAce Pickleball Club

Indoor facilities have an advantage in that they're impervious to weather so players can play year-round.

The Frisco location is a nearly 33,000-square-foot facility with 11 full-size courts and one dinking court designed to welcome players of all skill levels. Memberships are $129 monthly with the first month free.

Bringing the concept to Frisco is Juan Menchaca, a former corporate worker who is a pickleball player himself. When he and his wife relocated to the DFW area in May 2023, he brought with him a lifelong dream of opening a sports facility.

Introduced to pickleball by his brother-in-law, who is now training to go pro in pickleball, Menchaca was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, simple rules, and strong sense of community.

Opening a dedicated pickleball facility felt like the ideal first serve into the world of sports.

“I saw the demand I knew Ace Pickleball Club was the right fit,” Menchaca says. “The model is perfect for all skill levels across the Frisco community. I’ve always wanted to create something people could rally around, and this not only provides that, but helps in bringing our community closer.”

sports openings trends