Shaquille O'Neal Launches 'Dunkman' Pro Dunk League

The NBA legend aims to crown the world's greatest dunker with a $500,000 grand prize.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:50pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring explosive, neon-colored brushstrokes capturing the raw power and energy of basketball dunking, with faces and details dissolving into vibrant splatters of color.Shaquille O'Neal's new Dunkman league will showcase the world's most electrifying dunkers in a high-flying, high-energy competition.Today in Orlando

Shaquille O'Neal, the Hall of Fame NBA player known for his powerful and memorable dunks, has created a new professional dunk league called 'Dunkman'. The league will feature 24 top dunkers from around the world competing for a $500,000 grand prize. Shaq says the goal is to 'crown the best dunkers' since the NBA dunk contest has declined in recent years.

Why it matters

Shaq's new league aims to elevate the art of dunking and showcase the world's most talented aerial artists, filling a void left by the waning popularity of the NBA's own dunk contest. As a basketball icon, Shaq's involvement lends credibility and star power to the new venture.

The details

The Dunkman league will consist of four group stage events that will air across TNT, TBS, TruTV and HBO Max. The best dunkers will advance to a finals round where the Dunkman World Champion will be crowned. Shaq says the league will feature dunkers from 9 different countries and 6 continents, showcasing global talent.

  • The Dunkman league will kick off its first season this summer.

The players

Shaquille O'Neal

A Hall of Fame NBA player known for his powerful and memorable dunks, who is now the commissioner of the new Dunkman professional dunk league.

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What they’re saying

“Since the professional athletes don't take pride in the dunk contest anymore the best dunkers in world are not [not in the NBA]. The landscape has changed, as a basketball fan the best dunkers were always some of the best players in the world but not anymore. We want to crown the best dunkers. The goal of the league is to leave no doubt who the greatest dunker in the world is.”

— Shaquille O'Neal, Dunkman League Commissioner

“I remember growing up, the All-Star Game was cool but I more wanted to see the dunk contest. I hate to say it, the last 10-12 years [of the NBA dunk contest] have been s---. If you look at all the viral clips, I think dunking is some of the most viewed clips on YouTube.”

— Shaquille O'Neal, Dunkman League Commissioner

What’s next

The Dunkman league will kick off its inaugural season this summer, with the finals determining the 'Dunkman World Champion' who will take home the $500,000 grand prize.

The takeaway

Shaquille O'Neal's new Dunkman league aims to revive interest in the art of dunking by showcasing the world's most talented aerial artists, filling a void left by the declining popularity of the NBA's own dunk contest.