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Shaquille O'Neal & TNT Sports to Launch DUNKMAN, the World's First Professional Dunk League
Debuting Summer 2026, DUNKMAN Gives Elite Dunkers a Platform to Compete for the DUNKMAN World Championship
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 - in Summer 2026. The new global league, which builds on the success of last year's DUNKMAN television series, will transform dunk competitions into a fully realized professional sport, providing top dunkers from around the world the platform to showcase their talent.
The inaugural DUNKMAN season will feature 24 of the best dunkers competing live in a brand-new league format. The season will consist of four group stage events in which athletes battle for a spot in the DUNKMAN World Championship. Finalists will compete for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion and a grand prize of $500,000.
Shaquille O'Neal, who will be commissioner of the league, said:
"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."
Each event will be a best-in-class experience with exciting fan offerings. 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.
Additional programming details will be announced in the coming weeks.
"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."
DUNKMAN is designed to elevate the sport of dunking with structure, storytelling, stakes and world-class competition. The league will introduce an Olympic-level scoring system that sets a modern standard for professional dunking.
A panel of expert judges will evaluate each dunk attempt to determine which dunkers advance through the group stages and who is ultimately crowned DUNKMAN World 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.
About TNT Sports
TNT Sports is a global leader in the delivery of premium sports content. The TNT Sports U.S. portfolio includes expansive, multi-platform partnerships with Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, National Hockey League, United States Soccer Federation, College Football Playoff games, BIG EAST, Big 12, Unrivaled, NASCAR and Roland-Garros. TNT Sports also produces the iconic Inside the NBA studio show. Owned and operated platforms are highlighted by Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans, along with House of Highlights, B/R W, Golf Digest, and a full suite of digital and social portfolio brands. Additionally, TNT Sports co-manages NCAA.com and NCAA March Madness Live. TNT Sports in Europe and the Republic of Ireland includes partnerships with the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, UEFA, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, British and World Superbikes, UFC, Australian Open and Roland-Garros, Grand Tour Cycling, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, every major winter sports World Championship and World Cup event, and the Olympic Games 2026-2032.
About Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the world's most successful athletes-turned-businessmen, whose accomplishments both on and off the court have translated into a highly sought-after global brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restauranteur, brand ambassador, and producer, Shaquille O'Neal's signature "Business of Fun" mantra resonates throughout each of his countless ventures.
The 15-time NBA All-Star's unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer. Currently, O'Neal is an Emmy-winning analyst on ESPN's "Inside the NBA."
O'Neal is a universally recognized figure in sports, entertainment, and pop culture. His music career began with the release of four rap albums with his first, Shaq Diesel, going platinum.. Today, he is known worldwide as DJ Diesel. His DJ business has become a global enterprise, with his SHAQ's Bass All-Stars Festival and Shaq's Fun House - an immersive event series combining live performances, carnival rides, and celebrity appearances.
Through his multimedia company, Jersey Legends Productions, O'Neal continues to innovate by creating compelling content that spans sports, entertainment, and culture. In 2025, JLP released the Netflix series POWER MOVES and partnered with TNT Sports on DUNKMAN, a first-of-its-kind dunk competition series redefining the art of the slam.
Follow Shaquille O'Neal on TikTok, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. As the owner of some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world, Authentic acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders.
A digital-first, asset-light platform, Authentic sits at the intersection of culture, commerce and technology. It brings brands to life and cultivates fandom through powerful storytelling, premium content and unforgettable live experiences. Together with nearly 2,000 best-in-class licensing partners across 150 countries and an expansive distribution network, Authentic's brands drive more than $38 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.
Authentic's diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O'Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Guess?, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.
For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.comand Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagramand LinkedIn.
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