Shaquille O’Neal did not make the guest list for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s massive Madison Square Garden wedding, but he is not holding a grudge.
The NBA legend playfully called out the newlyweds after learning that his friend Charles Barkley had received an invitation to the July 3 ceremony. Despite being left out of the 1,000-person celebration, O’Neal offered Swift and Kelce the same heartfelt wish he shared following their engagement.
O’Neal addressed the apparent wedding snub while attending Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center in New York City on Friday, July 17.
When PEOPLE Magazine asked whether he and Barkley had received invitations, the four-time NBA champion offered a deadpan response directly to the camera. “No. Thanks, Taylor. Thanks, Travis,” O’Neal joked.
However, the 54-year-old quickly set aside the teasing to offer the newlyweds a four-word blessing. “May it last forever,” he said.
The message was not entirely new. After Swift and Kelce announced their engagement in August 2025, O’Neal told the outlet that he “couldn’t wait” for them to marry and similarly wished for their relationship to last.
Charles Barkley Turned Down His Invitation
While O’Neal was not invited, Barkley revealed that he received, and declined, an invitation to the highly anticipated celebration. “I don’t go to weddings and funerals,” Barkley said during an appearance on the “Unfiltered with Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo” podcast.
The NBA analyst said he “politely declined” because he expected the high-profile event to become a “crap show.” “I love Travis and Jason [Kelce],” Barkley explained. “I’ve only met Taylor one time. But yeah, I did get an invite, but I said, ‘Hey, that’s just too much.’”
Barkley ultimately spent the day golfing rather than joining the hundreds of celebrities, athletes, musicians, and friends who gathered at Madison Square Garden.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Married At Madison Square Garden
Swift and Kelce exchanged vows at the famed New York City arena after nearly three years together. The couple wore custom Christian Dior Haute Couture designed by Jonathan Anderson, with Swift completing her bridal look with Christian Louboutin shoes and Cartier jewelry.
Instead of choosing traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen, the singer selected her brother, Austin Swift, as her “Man of Honor.” Kelce’s older brother and “New Heights” co-host, Jason Kelce, served as his best man. Adam Sandler, a friend of the couple, reportedly officiated the ceremony.
After Swift and Kelce were announced as husband and wife, the jumbotrons outside Madison Square Garden displayed a celebratory message reading, “JUST&T MARRIED!”
The Guest List Combined Music, Hollywood, And Sports
Approximately 1,000 people reportedly attended the wedding, bringing together major figures from Swift’s music career and Kelce’s life in professional football. Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Dakota Johnson, Mariska Hargitay, Jack Antonoff, Lena Dunham, and Zoë Kravitz were among the stars spotted arriving for the festivities.
Several sports personalities also received invitations, including Barkley and ESPN host Pat McAfee. McAfee nearly missed the celebration after mistaking his digital invitation for a phishing scam. The former NFL player said he deleted messages containing links from an unfamiliar phone number and only realized the invitation was legitimate after Kelce contacted him personally.
McAfee and his wife ultimately attended, with the sports personality later describing the wedding as one of the most spectacular events he had witnessed.
Shaq Has Supported The Couple From The Beginning
O’Neal has been complimentary of Swift and Kelce throughout their relationship. He met Swift at the 2024 Super Bowl, where the singer watched Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers. O’Neal has also developed a friendship with Kelce and previously joined him for an appearance on the “New Heights” podcast.
Swift and Kelce began dating privately in 2023 after the NFL star revealed that he had unsuccessfully attempted to give her his phone number at an “Eras Tour” concert. Their relationship became public that September when Swift attended her first Chiefs game and sat with Kelce’s mother, Donna.
Nearly three years later, O’Neal may not have witnessed them exchange vows in person, but his message for their marriage remained sincere, even if it came with a playful reminder that his invitation never arrived.
