Fans will witness the start of a new basketball league this summer, spearheaded by former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal. In the past, O'Neal has been a judge on the TNT Sports show, "The Dunk King." It's a show where some of the top dunkers compete for the top spot and earn $100,000.
Other former NBA stars like Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Nate Robinson were also part of the judging panel. The show eventually evolved into DUNKMAN, where O'Neal was named commissioner. He remained a judge, along with other former stars like Vince Carter, Chris Webber and Dwight Howard.
On Monday, the show evolved into a new sports league.
Shaquille O'Neal Reveals the Launch of DUNKMAN
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
O'Neal partnered with TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group to launch the new dunk league, which will have its inaugural season this summer. During the pregame show of the NCAA's Final Four, the four-time champion made the announcement.
“Since the NBA guys don’t have enough pride to give the fans what we want in the Dunk Contest, all these professional dunkers have been creative,” O’Neal said. “I said to myself, along with [Eli] Lily and TNT, ‘I’mma have a dunk league.’”
O'Neal also said that the league will feature 24 professional dunkers who will compete live for a spot in the DUNKMAN World Championship. The eventual champion will win a cash prize of $500,000.
“I want to see who the best dunker in the world [is].”
TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max will reportedly air the league live. Fans can also watch the highlights online on YouTube, Instagram and X. O'Neal also believes that the new dunk league will transform the one-night event in the All-Star Weekend. The NBA's Slam Dunk Contest has been criticized for the lack of creativity and star power over the past few seasons.
“These athletes are innovators and DUNKMAN is going to give them the global stage, real stakes, and a chance to build careers doing what they love. We are transforming dunking from a 1-night contest to the fastest growing professional sport off two feet,” O'Neal said via ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel.
TNT Sports is excited to launch its new project with O'Neal, who has been with them since 2011. He joined Turner Sports and became part of the "Inside the NBA" crew, teaming up with Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. Now that the show is under ESPN, O'Neal is still active in working with TNT.
