Shaquille O’Neal, Warner Launch ‘Dunkman’ Professional Dunk League
Warner Bros. Discovery may no longer show NBA games on TNT each week, but that doesn’t mean the company is no longer playing basketball. Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group and Warner’s TNT Sports will launch “Dunkman,” the first professional league tied to dunking, in summer of 2026.
The inaugural season will feature 24 skilled dunkers …
Warner Bros. Discovery may no longer show NBA games on TNT each week , but that doesn’t mean the company is no longer playing basketball. Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group and Warner’s TNT Sports will launch “Dunkman,” the first professional league tied to dunking, in summer of 2026.
The inaugural season will feature 24 skilled dunkers competing live across four events. Finalists will compete for a world championship title and a grand prize of $500,000. Eli Lilly & Co.
, the pharmaceutical giant, will also work as a partner with the league. More from Variety NCAA March Madness on Sling TV: Where to Watch Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Florida Gators Live Online NCAA March Madness 2026: Where to Watch the Men's College Basketball Tournament Live Online How to Watch the 2026 Unrivaled Championship Live Online Without Cable for Free “The NBA’s dunking contest over the last ten to fifteen years has been terrible,” O’Neal told Variety during an interview on Monday.