"During a raucous retirement party at his Florida home in June, Shaquille O'Neal promised that his next step would be a "big one."

You wouldn't expect anything less from a man who has spent the past 19 years as the biggest personality in the sport, "The Big Aristotle" ... "The Big Shaqctus" ... "The Big Shamrock" etc., and beyond.

So how about "The Big Analyst?"

Because as promised, O'Neal's next step is a big one, now that the 15-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA champion joins Turner Sports as a full-time analyst across its portfolio of NBA assets starting with the 2011-2012 season.

O'Neal will join TNT's Emmy Award-winning studio show alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley and will also be a part of the network's exclusive NBA All-Star Weekend and NBA Playoffs coverage as a part of the multi-year agreement announced Thursday morning.

He will also be a key contributor on NBA TV and NBA.com, serving up his own brand of unique analysis and commentary throughout the regular season, as well as for The Finals, All-Star Weekend and the NBA Draft.

"I can't wait to begin my new career with Turner," O'Neal said in a statement. "Over the past several years the team at Turner has taken the NBA and entertainment, in general, to a whole new level. I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the amazing team at Inside the NBA and I hope I can further the fans experience on a regular basis."

Staying true to his entertainer roots, O'Neal's work with Turner Sports will extend beyond his work as analyst. A development deal with Turner's entertainment and animation networks will allow O'Neal to indulge many of his off-the-court passions as well. O'Neal is a member of the Screen Actor's Guild, with entertainment credits including a number of roles and executive producer credits in both television and film.

"We are thrilled to have Shaquille O'Neal join Turner Sports and our marquee roster of announcers and analysts," said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. "His unique insights, perspective as one of the league's all-time great players and personality will be the perfect complement to our award-winning studio team of Ernie, Kenny and Charles, as well as to our programming on NBA TV and NBA.com.""