MIAMI - Shaquille O'Neal, the superstar center who led the Miami Heat to the National Basketball Association title in June, unveiled his newest project here - a US real estate firm with nationwide plans.

Shaquille O'Neal, the superstar center who led the Miami Heat to the National Basketball Association title in June, unveiled his newest project - a US real estate firm with nationwide plans,[AP]

The O'Neal Group is eying projects and properties around the United States, the first of them being a deal with a developer for a three-tower complex in downtown Miami with 1,100 condominiums, a hotel, office and entertainment area.

O'Neal, 34, has more than 50 million dollars in real estate properties and a set of sports clubs as well as a five-year NBA contract worth 100 million dollars with the Heat through the 2009-2010 season.

"This is not only a real estate deal," O'Neal said. "We want people to live how they want to live."

"Shaq" said he was inspired by former Detroit Pistons star Dave Bing, whose steel, manufacturing and construction firm helped raise money for city schools.

"After playing basketball, he did great things for the city of Detroit," O'Neal said.