Why NBA Superstar Shaquille O’Neal Is Launching A Pro Dunking League
Because of his disappointment with the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest, Shaquille O'Neal has helped create his own professional league.
Shaquille O'Neal is helping launch DUNKMAN, a new, professional dunking league. TNT Sports It’s no secret the that the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest has become a middling event. “It’s been (bleep) for the last 12 years.
It hurts my heart,” Shaquille O’Neal exclusively shared. “When I was growing up, the All-Star Game was cool … but that dunk contest and three-point shootout, that was the highlight. ” Creating a better dunking platform was the NBA Hall of Famer/successful businessman’s motivation to create the professional DUNKMAN league.
Formed through a partnership between O’Neal, Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceuticals and TNT Sports, the first professional league of dunking will debut in the summer 2026. The inaugural season will feature 24 of the best dunkers competing live in a brand-new league format. During four group stage events, athletes will battle for a spot in the DUNKMAN world championship.
Finalists will compete for a grand prize of $500,000. “We decided to make a league and treat those guys as professionals,” O’Neal said. The former Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic star will serve as the DUNKMAN league commissioner.