Suns Owner Offers $1M Prizes for 2027 NBA All-Star Events

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has announced plans to offer $1 million prizes to the winners of the 2027 NBA All-Star slam dunk and 3-point contests, as well as $1 million going to charity in each event. Ishbia hopes this will help attract more star players to participate in the events during the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend, which will be held in Phoenix.

Why it matters

The dunk contest has struggled to attract top NBA talent in recent years, while the 3-point contest has become one of the most popular events of All-Star Weekend. Ishbia's plan aims to reinvigorate fan interest and engagement by incentivizing star player participation.

The details

Ishbia announced his plan during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show". However, league officials and the players' union have indicated that such a prize structure would not conform with the existing bonus system. Ishbia did not consult the league office before making the offer, but he is motivated to find a way to get more stars into the events.

• The 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend will take place from February 19-21, 2027 in Phoenix.
• Ishbia made the announcement about the prize money on February 25, 2026.

What’s next

The NBA and players' union will need to work with Ishbia to determine if his proposed prize structure can be implemented within the existing bonus system.