Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) and TNT Sports, in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, will launch DUNKMAN – the world’s first professional league in the sport of dunking. The inaugural season is expected to take place this summer, per release.
“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,” O’Neal, who is the league’s commissioner, said in a statement.
.@SHAQ joined #MFinalFour pregame for a very special announcement…
The @dunkmanofficial League is coming 🔜🔥 pic.twitter.com/RTtGMW8pxa
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) April 6, 2026
Who will own the skies? ✈️
Get ready for the Dunkman League on TNT Sports this summer 😤 @dunkmanofficial pic.twitter.com/dqgcz4HNcd
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) April 6, 2026
The concept of the new global league comes from last year’s DUNKMAN television series, which was a huge success. It will transform dunk competitions into a fully realized professional sport, providing top dunkers from around the world the platform to showcase their talent.
The DUNKMAN season will feature 24 of the best dunkers competing live in a league format with four group stage events in which athletes battle for a spot in the DUNKMAN World Championship. Finalists will then compete for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion, which includes a grand prize of $500,000.
The live league events will air across TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max with additional content across DUNKMAN social channels, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and YouTube.
The multiplatform presentations will give fans a closer look at the creativity, training, rivalries and unique personalities fueling the league. And as far as how dunkers will be graded goes, a panel of expert judges will evaluate each attempt to determine who advances through the group stages and ultimately is crowned champion.
Fans can follow the build-up to the inaugural season, including city announcements, athlete reveals, ticket on-sale dates and broadcast information, at www.dunkman.com and across DUNKMAN social channels @dunkmanofficial.
TNT excited to partner with Shaquille O’Neal on DUNKMAN
O’Neal had been a part of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” team for years before the network gave up rights to the NBA and the show moved over the ESPN. O’Neal remains very involved with TNT though and they are excited to partner with him on this new league.
“At TNT Sports, we aim to reach fans at the intersection of sports and culture, and the DUNKMAN league will allow us to showcase that convergence through the creativity and personalities of the best dunkers in the world,” said Craig Barry, Chief Content Officer, TNT Sports. “Partnering with Shaquille to build the first professional dunk league lets us create and amplify moments that excite our fans and extends through across our platforms.”
Additional programming details is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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