Basketball: Shaq signs deal with Heat

Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat agreed yesterday on a US$100 million ($147.92 million), five-year contract, one that presumably will keep the 12-time All-Star centre playing past his 38th birthday.

"We wanted to make sure that Shaquille was being compensated well into his career," O'Neal's agent Perry Rogers Rogers said.

"We also wanted to make sure he was paid his value. And it was important the Heat had flexibility they need in the short-term to win a championship.

"It's about winning."

O'Neal had previously led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles, from 2000-2002.