IN A GROUND-BREAKING MOVE set to redefine basketball entertainment, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, in partnership with Authentic Brands Group and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports, has announced the launch of “Dunkman”, the world’s first professional league dedicated exclusively to dunking. The league is scheduled to debut in summer 2026, marking a major evolution of the sport beyond traditional formats.
“Dunkman” aims to transform dunking from a one-off contest spectacle typically seen during NBA All-Star weekends into a structured, career-driven sport. The league will feature 24 elite dunkers from around the world. Athletes will compete across four group-stage events, followed by a world championship final where the winner will be crowned world champion and receive a $500,000 (₹4+ crore) prize. Shaquille O’Neal, who will serve as founder and commissioner, emphasised that the league is designed to provide dunkers with “a global stage” and sustainable career opportunities.
The league comes with strong media and commercial support with TNT Sports for broadcast and production, and Authentic Brands Group for commercial and brand development. The broadcast platforms include TNT, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and digital channels. TNT Sports executives have highlighted the league’s potential to attract audiences at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and youth culture.
The concept of “Dunkman” builds on a successful television series launched in 2025, which featured top global dunkers competing in a reality-style format. The show helped validate audience demand for dunk-centric content and the league is a natural progression toward formalizing the discipline into a competitive ecosystem.
