DUNKMAN to Expand in 2027 with Team Competitions, Junior Division, and Global Qualifiers

DUNKMAN, the professional dunk league founded by Shaquille O'Neal in partnership with Authentic Brands Group and TNT Sports, will return in 2027 with an expanded format including team competitions, a junior division, and a global regional qualifier series.

The qualifier series will feature an open-competition format in which aspiring dunkers compete before a judging panel, with top performers advancing to the professional league. Planned qualifier locations will be announced at a later date. Team competitions will see dunkers compete in team-based events for the first time. The Junior Division will be open to athletes 15 and under, competing on nine-foot rims.

The inaugural season, presented by Lily, featured 24 dunkers across four Group Stage events on TNT Sports, culminating in the DUNKMAN World Championship. Dallas native Cam Hazzard won the title and $500,000 grand prize. The season drew 5.7 million total viewers on TNT Sports, more than 1.5 billion social video views, and 33 million engagements across platforms.

The debut of DUNKMAN proved what I already knew: these athletes are superstars, and dunking is a professional sport, says Shaquille O'Neal, Founder and Commissioner, DUNKMAN. Next year we're going bigger. More cities, more countries, team battles and a junior division for the next generation. We're building the future of the sport.

Season 1 of DUNKMAN established dunking as a professional sport. Season 2 and beyond will continue to build a global league and platform through team competitions, a junior division and a global qualifier series that puts DUNKMAN in new markets year-round. We are in the early stages of what this property will become, says Colin Smeeton, President, Authentic Studios.

In the first Championship, DUNKMAN experienced unprecedented engagement and undeniably positive sentiment - it's a true 21st century sports property, says Craig Barry, Chief Content Officer, TNT Sports. Year two, with a longer runway and more opportunities, there's much more to come.

TNT Sports is a co-creator and equity partner in the DUNKMAN League.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/09/03/dunkman-to-expand-in-2027-with-...
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