But the Big Entertainer already is positioning himself for his post-Basketball days as an actor and performer by his creation and appearance in a television series on ABC that will begin airing Aug. 18.

O'Neal will star in "Shaq Vs.," a reality TV show that pits him against other top athletes in their standout sports. Filming begins Wednesday in Pittsburgh when O'Neal takes on his first opponent, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Other opponents include Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps and tennis player Serena Williams.

Also, boxer Oscar de la Hoya, St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, and Olympic beach volleyball gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor will participate.

O'Neal will negotiate a handicap with each opponent and train with a coach for one week leading up to the challenge. He received the blessing of Cavaliers management to participate in the show.

"He's addressing a question we think is one you've heard on sports radio for decades: What if this great athlete from that sport had a competition against that great athlete from that sport?" said Modi Wiczyk, CEO of the show's production company, Media Rights Capital. "There's an element of wish fulfillment to this."

The idea for the show came from O'Neal - legend has it he boasted he could outswim Phelps while watching the gold medalist in the Olympics last year - and he recruited many of his opponents via his popular Twitter account (THE_REAL_SHAQ).

O'Neal told executives from both Media Rights Capital and Dick Clark Productions that he hoped the show would help him stay in Basketball-ready shape for the season.

"These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge," O'Neal said in a news release. "I plan to train hard and win, so look out."

His only prize will be bragging rights - and if he's entertaining enough, maybe even a future in show business when his Basketball career is over.

This is the second summer series O'Neal has created. In 2007, he starred in "Shaq's Big Challenge," a show in which he helped overweight children lose weight. That show averaged fewer than 5 million viewers per episode.

Moon update: The NBA has received and processed the Cavaliers' contract offer to restricted free agent Jamario Moon, and set a Friday noon deadline for the Miami Heat to match Cleveland's offer. The Cavaliers have offered Moon up to the $3.2 million remaining on their mid-level exception for a two-year guaranteed contract.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654