Shaquille O’Neal and TNT Sports Unveil Premiere Details for ‘Dunkman’ Professional Dunking League

Shaquille O’Neal and TNT Sports have officially revealed the launch date and competitor roster for “Dunkman,” the world’s first professional league dedicated exclusively to the art of dunking. The live competition kicks off on Tuesday, July 21, at 8 p.m. ET, culminating in a world championship on Tuesday, Aug. 25, where the victor will claim a $500,000 grand prize.

Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Credit One Bank, the league was established by O’Neal in his role as founder and commissioner. The venture is a collaborative effort between Warner Bros. Discovery (the parent company of TNT) and Authentic Brands Group, a leader in sports, media, and lifestyle branding.

The inaugural season features a high-profile commentary team including dunking legend Vince Carter, NBA champion Draymond Green, content creator CashNasty, and host Adam Lefkoe. Live events will be broadcast on TNT and HBO Max, with supplementary coverage available via Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, YouTube, and the league’s official social media platforms. The 24-person roster boasts elite talent, including three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Mac McClung, China’s premier dunker Dengxing Chen, and professional specialists Tyler Currie and Isaiah Rivera.

The competition schedule is divided into four group stages: the first night on July 21 features Chen, Doug Anderson, Shelby McEwen, Cam Hazzard, Jonathan Edwards, and Joel Henry. July 28 will feature Currie, Mason Baker, Jonathan Clark, Dillan McCarthy, Avante Nichols, and Gustavo Haakin. On Aug. 4, Rivera, New Williams, Aeramiah Binford, Vadym Piddubchenko, Hyrum Fechser, and Darius Clark will compete. The final group, appearing Aug. 11, includes McClung, Brandon Ruffin, Marlow Gilmore, Antonio Eaglan, Dylan Haugen, and Will Bunton. Following these rounds, the top finalists will compete in the world championships on Aug. 25, with a panel of expert judges scoring each attempt to determine who advances.

The creation of “Dunkman” reflects a broader trend of media conglomerates developing their own sports properties to mitigate the rising costs of traditional broadcasting rights for the NFL, MLB, and NBA. By owning the content, Warner Bros. Discovery can control its own programming—a strategy already seen in its involvement with the Unrivaled women’s three-on-three league and “The Match” celebrity golf tournament.

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