Shaq, TNT Sports teaming up to launch a professional dunk league: ‘DUNKMAN’
The new venture, backed by TNT Sports and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, aims to turn dunking into a standalone professional sport.
Shaquille O’Neal is in Indianapolis and set to make a special announcement an hour before the NCAA men’s national championship game.
The Hall of Famer, whose resume spans dominance on the court and ventures off it, is launching his own professional sports league.
For dunking.
He’s calling it “DUNKMAN,” a new venture built around one of basketball’s most enduring attractions — the highlight-reel slam.
Beginning this summer, the league will feature five live events, including a world championship, with 24 athletes competing for a grand prize of $500,000.
O’Neal, the league’s founder and commissioner, is partnering with TNT Sports, Authentic Brands Group, and Eli Lilly and Company — which is headquartered in Indianapolis.
The inaugural season will include four group-stage events, with top performers advancing to the DUNKMAN World Championship — where the first world champion in the sport will be crowned. Events will air across TNT platforms, including HBO Max.
A panel of expert judges will evaluate each dunk, determining who advances through the competition — and who does not.
The NBA’s dunk contest at All-Star Weekend has lost some of its shine in recent years. Perhaps DUNKMAN can help reignite interest — and even influence future participation from star players.
“Who owns the sky?” O’Neal said. “Now we finally find out.”
