Shaquille O’Neal didn’t make the visitor record for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s huge Madison Sq. Backyard wedding ceremony, however he’s not holding a grudge.
The NBA legend playfully known as out the newlyweds after studying that his pal Charles Barkley had acquired an invite to the July 3 ceremony. Regardless of being ignored of the 1,000-person celebration, O’Neal provided Swift and Kelce the identical heartfelt want he shared following their engagement.
O’Neal addressed the obvious wedding ceremony snub whereas attending Fanatics Fest on the Javits Middle in New York Metropolis on Friday, July 17.
When PEOPLE Magazine requested whether or not he and Barkley had acquired invites, the four-time NBA champion provided a deadpan response on to the digicam. “No. Thanks, Taylor. Thanks, Travis,” O’Neal joked.
Nonetheless, the 54-year-old rapidly put aside the teasing to supply the newlyweds a four-word blessing. “Might it final perpetually,” he stated.
The message was not fully new. After Swift and Kelce introduced their engagement in August 2025, O’Neal advised the outlet that he “couldn’t wait” for them to marry and equally wished for his or her relationship to final.
Charles Barkley Turned Down His Invitation
Whereas O’Neal was not invited, Barkley revealed that he acquired, and declined, an invite to the extremely anticipated celebration. “I don’t go to weddings and funerals,” Barkley stated throughout an look on the “Unfiltered with Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo” podcast.
The NBA analyst stated he “politely declined” as a result of he anticipated the high-profile occasion to change into a “crap present.” “I like Travis and Jason [Kelce],” Barkley defined. “I’ve solely met Taylor one time. However yeah, I did get an invitation, however I stated, ‘Hey, that’s simply an excessive amount of.’”
Barkley in the end spent the day {golfing} reasonably than becoming a member of the tons of of celebrities, athletes, musicians, and buddies who gathered at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Married At Madison Sq. Backyard
Swift and Kelce exchanged vows on the famed New York Metropolis area after practically three years collectively. The couple wore customized Christian Dior Haute Couture designed by Jonathan Anderson, with Swift finishing her bridal look with Christian Louboutin footwear and Cartier jewellery.
As an alternative of selecting conventional bridesmaids and groomsmen, the singer chosen her brother, Austin Swift, as her “Man of Honor.” Kelce’s older brother and “New Heights” co-host, Jason Kelce, served as his greatest man. Adam Sandler, a pal of the couple, reportedly officiated the ceremony.
After Swift and Kelce had been introduced as husband and spouse, the jumbotrons outdoors Madison Sq. Backyard displayed a celebratory message studying, “JUST&T MARRIED!”
The Visitor Listing Mixed Music, Hollywood, And Sports activities
Roughly 1,000 folks reportedly attended the marriage, bringing collectively main figures from Swift’s music profession and Kelce’s life in skilled soccer. Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Dakota Johnson, Mariska Hargitay, Jack Antonoff, Lena Dunham, and Zoë Kravitz had been among the many stars noticed arriving for the festivities.
A number of sports activities personalities additionally acquired invites, together with Barkley and ESPN host Pat McAfee. McAfee practically missed the celebration after mistaking his digital invitation for a phishing rip-off. The previous NFL participant stated he deleted messages containing hyperlinks from an unfamiliar cellphone quantity and solely realized the invitation was official after Kelce contacted him personally.
McAfee and his spouse in the end attended, with the sports activities character later describing the marriage as one of the crucial spectacular occasions he had witnessed.
Shaq Has Supported The Couple From The Starting
O’Neal has been complimentary of Swift and Kelce all through their relationship. He met Swift on the 2024 Tremendous Bowl, the place the singer watched Kelce and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers. O’Neal has additionally developed a friendship with Kelce and beforehand joined him for an look on the “New Heights” podcast.
Swift and Kelce started courting privately in 2023 after the NFL star revealed that he had unsuccessfully tried to provide her his cellphone quantity at an “Eras Tour” live performance. Their relationship grew to become public that September when Swift attended her first Chiefs sport and sat with Kelce’s mom, Donna.
Almost three years later, O’Neal could not have witnessed them trade vows in particular person, however his message for his or her marriage remained honest, even when it got here with a playful reminder that his invitation by no means arrived.
