Shaquille O'Neal Launching New Professional Dunking League

The DUNKMAN league will feature 24 of the world's best dunkers competing for a $500,000 grand prize.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:18am

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A dynamic, neon-colored painting depicting the explosive, mid-air movements of a professional basketball player executing a powerful dunk, conceptually representing the high-energy, gravity-defying athleticism of the new DUNKMAN league.Shaquille O'Neal's new DUNKMAN league aims to transform dunking into a thrilling professional sport, showcasing the gravity-defying athleticism of the world's top dunkers.Today in Miami

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal has announced the launch of DUNKMAN, the world's first professional dunking league. The new league will feature 24 of the top dunkers competing in a series of live events, with the winner receiving a $500,000 grand prize. O'Neal will serve as the league commissioner, with the inaugural season set to take place this summer.

Why it matters

The launch of DUNKMAN comes as the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest has faced declining interest, with the league's biggest stars no longer participating. O'Neal's new league aims to elevate dunking as a standalone professional sport and provide a platform for elite dunkers to showcase their skills and build careers.

The details

DUNKMAN will air across TNT, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, with the inaugural season consisting of four group stage events where athletes will compete for a spot in the DUNKMAN World Championship. The finalists will then compete for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion and the $500,000 grand prize.

  • DUNKMAN was officially announced on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The inaugural DUNKMAN season will take place this summer.

The players

Shaquille O'Neal

A Hall of Fame NBA center and four-time NBA champion, who is launching the DUNKMAN league and will serve as its commissioner.

Charles Barkley

An NBA Hall of Famer and O'Neal's co-host on the Inside the NBA show on TNT.

Kenny Smith

An NBA champion and O'Neal's co-host on the Inside the NBA show on TNT.

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What they’re saying

“The inaugural DUNKMAN season will feature 24 of the best dunkers competing live in a brand-new league format. The season will consist of four group stage events in which athletes battle for a spot in the DUNKMAN World Championship. Finalists will compete for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion and a grand prize of $500,000.”

— Warner Bros. Discovery, Official statement

“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. We are transforming dunking from a one-night contest to the fastest growing professional sport off two feet.”

— Shaquille O'Neal, DUNKMAN League Commissioner

What’s next

The inaugural DUNKMAN season is set to take place this summer, with the first group stage event scheduled for June.

The takeaway

Shaquille O'Neal's launch of the DUNKMAN league represents an innovative effort to elevate dunking as a standalone professional sport, providing elite dunkers with a global platform and the opportunity to build careers around their athletic abilities. This move comes as the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest has faced declining interest, signaling a potential shift in how the sport of dunking is viewed and celebrated.