Shaquille O'Neal to Face Other Athletes in His New TV Show

Get ready to add reality TV star to the evergrowing lists of talents that Shaquille O'Neal possesses, that include being a basketball player, actor, rapper, reserve officer, twitter fanatic, broadcaster, and future MMA fighter.

Shaquille O'Neal is set to star in his very own reality TV show on ABC. The show will be called "Shaq Vs.", and it will feature Shaq trying his hand at different sports against other top athletes. Filming for the new show begins this week, and it will air on August 18 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Each episode will be an hour-long.

The first episode, or the season premiere, will see Shaq go up against Ben Roethlisberger in football. The Steelers QB is coming off his second Super Bowl victory. Future episodes will feature Shaq against 14-time gold medalist and swimming sensation Michael Phelps in a swimming competition, retired boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya in a boxing match, St. Louis Cardinals hitter Albert Pujols in baseball, 11-time major winner Serena Williams in tennis, and Olympians Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in a volleyball match. It has not been confirmed yet, but there is a good chance that Shaq can get his good friend Lance Armstrong for a cycling competition after the Tour de France finishes.

According to USA Today and ESPN, the episodes will feature preliminary challenges, news conferences, quality time with needy kids and negotiations of a handicap between Shaq and his competitors. Each episode will climax with a main event. There will be no cash prize for the winners but Shaq said that "bragging rights are always better than any monetary prize."

Shaq told reporters that he came up with this idea, and it was a good way to prepare for the upcoming season. It is a very good way to get into playing shape, and a good way to train. Shaq is a natural athlete, but will find out how difficult it is in other sports, and hopefully Shaq gets a new appreciation for those sports.

Shaq is still obligated to report for the Cleveland Cavaliers training camp on September 15, since basketball is still his number one priority. Shaq was cleared by the Cavaliers to do this show. Shaq was traded last month to the Cavs from the Suns. He will try to bring a boost to LeBron James, and try to bring the Cavaliers their first championship in franchise history.

This new show is "can't miss" TV and should garner big ratings. It should be very fun to watch.