NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is being sued for failing to pay a former employee at his production company who worked on the Oscar-winning documentary 'Queen of Basketball'

Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal is being sued by an 'old acquaintance' after allegedly breaking financial promises.

O'Neal, 51, is a four-time NBA champion and former MVP who enjoyed a hugely successful career with the Orlando Magic, LA Lakers and Miami Heat, among others.

Now an analyst for TNT's NBA coverage, the Hall of Famer and his company Jersey Legends Productions are being sued over claims that a man was cheated out of money he was promised.

The complaint, filed by Donnie Wilson in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses O'Neal, Jersey Legend Productions and production company co-founder Michael Parris of breach of contract and labor law violations.

It is also alleged that they breached an oral agreement that was said to be 'legally binding'.

Wilson's attorney, Ron Zambrano, issued a strong statement when he announced the lawsuit, even mentioning allegations that O'Neal had purposefully avoided serving in the FTX class action lawsuit for months.

O'Neal attempted to distance himself from the crypto giant at the time, claiming he was merely a “paid spokesperson.”

Zambrano said: “Shaquille O'Neal can certainly come across as everyone's best friend, just a big, jovial guy – apparently until he owes you money.

“He hid for months from lawyers trying to serve him in a class action lawsuit over the bankrupt FTX crypto exchange and his endorsements of the company, and now he is essentially doing the same thing to Mr. Wilson, hiding from his financial obligations.

“It's just shameful behavior from a celebrity of his stature.”

O'Neal and his company Jersey Legends Productions are being sued over claims that a man was cheated out of money he was promised

Zambrano's press release claimed that Wilson worked as O'Neal's Community Relations Director for 10 years between 1996 and 2006.

He eventually left the role in an attempt to become a playwright before Parris hired Wilson to work for their production company in 2019.

Despite worrying that Parris would keep this up, Wilson became the head of the company's creative department.

At this point it was alleged that Parris had entered into an oral agreement to make Wilson an official partner of the company with an 18 percent ownership stake.

During his time in the role, Wilson contributed to the Academy Award-winning documentary 'Queen of Basketball' and the company's animated short film 'HeadNoise' – which was narrated by O'Neal.

Although he received an executive production credit on “Queen of Basketball,” Wilson claims he was never compensated for his work on Jersey Legends.

“Queen of Basketball” tells the story of Lusia “Lucy” Harris-Stewart, who won three national titles at a rural Mississippi university, scored the first basket in women's Olympic history and was the first and only woman drafted for the NBA.

The lawsuit alleges: “During the production of these works, (Wilson) collaborated with O'Neal.

“Parris told (Wilson) that O'Neal knew that plaintiff was not being paid and that he had yet to receive formal recognition of his status as part owner of Jersey Legends.

Although he received an executive production credit on 'Queen of Basketball' – a documentary about Lucy Harris (pictured) – Wilson claims he was never compensated for his work

“According to Parris, O'Neal knew Wilson would become part owner and that things would eventually be taken care of.”

It is claimed that Wilson tried to get O'Neal and Paris to sign a contract in 2022, but neither did.

The production company was sold last year, but Wilson still hasn't received a dime.

In a statement, Wilson said: “This whole ordeal has left me reeling. It has been a breach of trust that has destroyed my belief in honesty.

'In addition to the money owed, it is the personal aspect that cuts the deepest.

“Because Shaquille's loved ones, especially Michael Parris' family, are considered family, this betrayal feels like a slap in the face. I feel deeply disappointed and let down.'

DailyMail.com has attempted to contact O'Neal for comment.