Queen of Sports

Shaquille O’Neal Paid Fan $2k To Get Ridiculous Tattoos

During an episode of Inside the NBA on TNT last week, Shaquille O’Neal said he would pay someone $1,000 if they got a tattoo of Charles Barkley kissing referee Dick Bavetta. Barkley and Bavetta were caught locking lips, if only momentarily, after participating in a foot race together during festivities at the 2007 All-Star Weekend.

One man took him up on his offer. Emmet Bentley, a bartender in Santa Barbara, got the tattoo then posted it on Twitter for Shaq to see. Shaquille O’Neal not only agreed to pay Bentley the $1,000, he also challenged him to get another ridiculous tattoo for $1,000 and gave him free tickets to the Lakers vs Mavericks game last night.

The second tattoo Bentley got per Shaq’s request features all the Inside the NBA on TNT announcers in Mount Rushmore fashion. We love how Shaquille is depicted as his character in Kazaam.

Rumor has it Bentley has loads of other ridiculous tattoos including a unicorn “tramp stamp” and a life-sized bottle of Jack Daniels on his stomach. He didn’t think twice about getting paid to add to his collection. Plus, he got to meet Shaq.

Photos: Twitter

Matt Barnes’ Newest Ink

NBA players have been busy adding to their tattoo collections during the lockout, and the latest baller to do so is Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes. He added a set of eyes above the “La Famiglia” tattoo on his back.

He posted a photo of the new tattoo on Twitter and said, “Gotta watch my back for these snakes & fakes out here.” Wonder what “snakes and fakes” he’s referring to?

Photo: Twitter

New York Islanders Name Official Tattoo Shop

In a partnership with the NHL and the New York Islanders, Long Island tattoo parlor Tattoo Lou’s has been named the team’s official tattoo shop.

The shop will set up a station, called “The Penalty Box,” inside Nassau Coliseum so fans can get tattoos and piercings at 10 Islanders home games throughout the 2011-2012 season. Tattoo Lou’s will also sell jewelry, t-shirts, and official Islanders gear. The kids can get in on the action too, with temporary and airbrushed tattoos.

Last season the Islanders sold cupcakes, and this season it’s tattoos. What will it be next season?

Kevin Durant Gets New Ink

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant got a new tattoo on his back, paying homage to his home state, his uniform number, and his spirituality. The angel in the middle is holding a basketball and the hands on either side symbolize the number 35. That number holds special importance to Durant, because his childhood coach died at the age of 35.

The work was done by Atlanta tattoo artist Randy.

Check out some of KD’s other ink here.

Misunderstood: DeMarcus Cousins’ New Tattoo

Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins recently added to his collection of tattoos. His latest ink work was done on his leg and appropriately features a large question mark behind the hard-to-read lettering of the word “misunderstood.”

Cousins had a turbulent first season in the NBA, validating concerns about his maturity and ability to keep his cool. He was ejected from multiple games, and got into a fight with a teammate. He still performed well, and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Whether or not he is in fact, misunderstood, he will have to keep his calm next season so he can contribute more time on the court for his team.

Photo: Twitter

Kobe Fan Gives LeBron Fan A Run For His Money

We showed you a picture last week of a tattoo of LeBron James‘ face one fan got tattooed on his calf. This week, a Kobe Bryant fan has one-upped that James fan in the tattoo department. Photos of the fan’s tattoo first appeared on Complex.com.

While we don’t have any information on the Bryant fan, we can tell you this: his tattoo is bigger and better. Check out the detail on Kobe’s face!  We can only imagine how much time and money the portrait tattoo must have taken. That is some serious dedication.

Photo: Complex.com

Fan Gets LeBron James’ Face Tattooed On His Leg

LeBron James fan Nathan Blackhall from South Florida tweeted the above photo of his new tattoo: LeBron’s face located on Blackhall’s calf. He tweeted a photo of it to James, who replied, “Oh damn! That’s how u feel. I appreciate the love”. He’s been supporting his decision to get a LeBron James tattoo on Twitter ever since bloggers caught wind of the news.

Blackhall responded to one blogger, “To you guys its some big deal. Its not your time,money, or body so ya.” He’s probably going to have many years worth of comebacks ready with that tattoo.

Photo: Twitter

Kevin Durant’s Hidden Edgy Side

Who knew? Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant is covered in tattoos! Durant upholds his family-friendly image by keeping his tattoos concealed by his jersey. Recently, this photo of Durant without his shirt on got out on the Internet and surprised everyone. It seems like most athletes with tattoos flaunt them, but Durant keeps it professional.

Photo: via TerezOwens.com

Olympic Hopeful Selling Advertising Tattoo Space In Hopes Of Making It To London

Australian beach volleyballer Claire Kelly is so dedicated to getting to the London Olympics, she is offering tattoo space on her body to potential sponsors in anticipation of her time in the sports spotlight.

Options include an 0.8 x 0.8 inch part of her left limb for US$10,500, a 1.9 x 1.9 inch section on her right arm or shoulder for US$52,490, as well as other options up for auction on eBay. While it seems beyond crazy an idea to most, Kelly details her reasons for doing so in a blog post. Basically she is willing to do whatever it takes to reach a long-time goal of making it to the Olympics in hopes of winning a gold medal. Best of luck to Ms. Kelly!

Photo: Andrew Railton

Jason Terry Ready To Have Trophy Tattoo Removed If Mavericks Lose

This past October, before a preseason game and during a team get-together which featured a tattoo artist on-hand, Jason Terry elected to get a tattoo of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy on his arm. Symbolizing his belief in the team’s ability to go all the way, the superstituous basketball player has declared he will have the tattoo removed assuming it is bad luck should the Mavericks not win against the Heat in the playoffs. While he is preparing for removal of the tattoo, he still believes in his team’s ability to win the championship.

And should the Mavericks win the Playoffs, Terry left room on his arm to add more ink like the date of the championship.