Shaquille O'Neal says Joe Exotic is 'not my friend' while defending 'Tiger King' cameo

With almost the entire world forced to remain indoors, a lot of people have been keeping themselves busy by going on Netflix and binge-watching shows. Netflix's latest documentary Tiger King turned out to be huge hit amongst animal lovers and the rest of the general public. Even NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, who visited the Tiger Zoo in 2014, featured in a small cameo on the show based around popular Oklahoma cult figure - Joe Exotic. 

Also Read | Shaquille O'Neal to be ousted by Papa John's shareholders for missing board meetings?

Netflix's Tiger King is turning out to be a huge hit across the globe

Also Read | Tom Brady joins Buccaneers is another 'No Loyalty in Sports' example: Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal defends his 'Tiger King' cameo and says Joe Exotic is 'not my friend'

In the recent episode of The Big Podcast With Shaq, the former Lakers star recalled his encounter with cult figure Joe Exotic. Shauquille O'Neal was quoted as saying "I forgot what year it was, [but] Dallas was playing OKC. Instead of flying back and forth, we get on the Shaq bus. On the way, we see a sign that says 'Tiger Sanctuary. We go in there and it's a beautiful place, and the character that was there was Exotic Joe."

Also Read | Tiger King's Carole Baskin, Joe Exotic and others: Where is the cast now?

Shaquille O'Neal further went on to clarify his relationship with the now incarcerated Joe Exotic. He stated that he merely visited the zoo once or twice and made donations which went towards the well-being of the animals in the zoo. We went back a couple times. And then we found out that he's involved with all the stuff and, actually, I stopped going. I had no idea all that stuff was going on. I don't harm tigers. I love tigers. Do I put donations to these zoos to help these tigers out? I do it all the time. Do I own tigers personally at my house? No." As for the extent of his relationship with Joe Exotic, Shaq wants to make clear: "I was just a visitor. I met this guy --[he's] not my friend. Don't know him. Never had any business dealings with him. I had no idea any of that stuff was going on.”

Also Read | Netflix’s new docu-series Tiger King leaves internet hooked amid COVID-19 lockdown 

When does Joe Exotic get released? Is Joe Exotic in jail now?

The answer to the question 'Is Joe Exotic in jail now?' is YES. The Tiger King star was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on January 22, 2020. When does Joe Exotic get released? Joe Exotic vowed to appeal the decision and even wrote a letter to Donald Trump, requesting a presidential pardon, as per reports. 

Also Read | What to watch on Netflix in March - Tiger King & other shows to see this month