Shaquille O’Neal has long proven he’s just as sharp in business as he was dominant on the court during his playing days. Now, he’s bringing those two worlds together with a brand-new venture focused on one of the most exciting parts of the game, dunking.
On Monday, Shaq announced a partnership with TNT Sports to launch “Dunkman,” a new professional league dedicated entirely to dunking. As the founder and inaugural commissioner, O’Neal is positioning Dunkman as the first league of its kind.
“These athletes are innovators and Dunkman is going to give them a global stage, real stakes, and a chance to build careers doing what they love,” O’Neal said. “We are transforming dunking from a one-night contest to the fastest growing professional sport off two feet.”
The idea builds on momentum from a six-episode Dunkman television series that aired last year, which helped showcase the growing popularity of professional dunking talent around the world.
The league will feature four group stage events leading into a final championship showdown. A total of 24 dunkers will compete for the world title, along with a prize of $500,000.
To ensure fairness, performances will be judged by a panel of experts using an “Olympic-style scoring system.”
Shaquille O’Neal compared NBA All-Star Weekend to Dunkman
In recent years, the NBA All-Star Weekend has received growing criticism from fans. Many feel the excitement has faded, especially in the All-Star Game, where players are often seen putting in minimal effort. Saturday night events, once the highlight of the weekend, have also lost their appeal, with the dunk contest no longer delivering the same thrill it once did.
A common concern among fans is the absence of star power and a noticeable drop in creativity during dunks. This combination has made the event less entertaining and has contributed to declining viewership over time.
The 2026 dunk contest drew even harsher reactions than usual. Featuring a contest among Keshad Johnson, Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes, and Jase Richardson, many fans labeled it the worst edition in the event’s history.
Shaquille O’Neal expressed the same frustration and drew a comparison to the level of talent featured in Dunkman.
“This is the worst Dunk Contest in Dunk Contest history,” O’Neal said. “We had a show, ‘Dunkman,’ and the dunkers on that show are better than our NBA professional dunkers.”
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