ATLANTA — Shaquille O’Neal, the four-time NBA champion and one of basketball’s most iconic dunkers, announced Monday he is launching Dunkman, the world’s first professional dunking league, aiming to elevate slam-dunking from an annual All-Star sideshow into a full-fledged competitive sport with real stakes, live events and a $500,000 grand prize for the champion.

O’Neal, who will serve as founder and inaugural commissioner, made the announcement during TNT’s pregame coverage of the NCAA men’s Final Four. The league, developed in partnership with TNT Sports, Authentic Brands Group and Eli Lilly and Company, will feature 24 of the top dunkers from nine countries competing in a structured league format starting this summer.

“We are transforming dunking from a 1-night contest to the fastest growing professional sport off two feet,” O’Neal 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.”

The inaugural season will include four group-stage live events followed by a championship finale, all airing on TNT, TBS, TruTV and streaming on Max. The league promises an “Olympic-level scoring system” judged by expert panels to determine the undisputed best dunker in the world, addressing long-standing complaints that the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has lost its luster in recent years.

O’Neal, who recorded roughly 4,000 dunks during his Hall of Fame NBA career, has long been a vocal critic of the current state of dunk contests. He referenced the creativity of professional dunkers who have innovated beyond traditional NBA formats and expressed frustration that top NBA stars sometimes lack the “pride” to deliver the spectacular shows fans crave. Dunkman builds on a 2025 TNT television series of the same name that featured celebrity judges and crowned a champion after six episodes.

The new league format will treat participants as professional athletes rather than one-off performers. Competitors will face structured rounds, creative challenges and head-to-head matchups designed to showcase athleticism, originality and consistency. Organizers say the goal is to crown a definitive world champion while creating career opportunities for dunkers who have historically relied on viral videos, exhibitions and occasional contest appearances for income.

Interest in the announcement spread rapidly on social media, with fans and analysts praising the idea of giving dunking its own dedicated platform. Many noted that while the NBA All-Star Saturday Night remains popular, the dunk contest has struggled with participation from superstar players and repetitive routines. Dunkman aims to fill that void by focusing exclusively on high-flying athletes who specialize in the art form.

O’Neal has a history of entrepreneurial ventures beyond basketball, including restaurants, media appearances and ownership stakes in various companies. His larger-than-life personality and deep connection to the slam-dunk culture make him a natural figurehead for the league. As commissioner, he is expected to play an active role in promoting events, judging select rounds and shaping the league’s direction.

The 24 athletes will represent a global talent pool, drawing from streetball circuits, international competitions and viral dunkers who have built followings online. Specific participant names have not yet been released, but organizers hinted at including standout performers from past NBA contests and independent circuits. Mac McClung, the three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner known for his explosive style, has been mentioned in speculation as a potential draw.

Broadcast partner TNT Sports, already deeply involved in NBA coverage, sees Dunkman as an extension of its basketball programming. The live events will allow for high-production values, slow-motion replays and expert commentary to highlight the technical difficulty and creativity of each dunk. Eli Lilly’s involvement adds corporate backing, potentially opening doors for sponsorships and health-related tie-ins given the athletic demands of the sport.

For aspiring dunkers, the league represents a rare professional pathway. Historically, even the most talented slam artists have struggled to monetize their skills beyond short-term gigs. A $500,000 prize plus potential endorsement deals and media exposure could change that dynamic, creating a sustainable ecosystem similar to how extreme sports like skateboarding or BMX have professionalized niche disciplines.

Reaction from the basketball community was largely positive. Former players and analysts expressed excitement about fresh content during the offseason and summer months when traditional basketball slows down. Fans on social media flooded timelines with predictions and calls for favorite dunkers to compete, turning the announcement into an instant viral topic.

Critics, however, questioned whether a dedicated dunking league can sustain long-term interest without the cachet of NBA stars. Some wondered if the novelty might wear off after initial events or if judging controversies could undermine credibility. Organizers countered that the focused format and high stakes will keep competitions fresh and competitive.

O’Neal addressed the evolution of dunking during his announcement, emphasizing innovation. “All these professional dunkers have been creative,” he said, noting that athletes outside the NBA have pushed boundaries with increasingly complex and athletic maneuvers. The league plans to reward originality alongside power and execution.

Details on venues, exact dates and qualification processes will be released in coming weeks. The summer 2026 debut aligns with the NBA offseason, potentially capitalizing on basketball fans seeking alternative entertainment. Events are expected to feature crowd energy, music and production elements designed to create a festival-like atmosphere.

The launch also reflects broader trends in sports entertainment, where niche disciplines gain standalone platforms through streaming and cable partnerships. Similar to how professional wrestling or mixed martial arts carved out dedicated audiences, Dunkman hopes to turn slam-dunking into appointment viewing.

For O’Neal, the project combines nostalgia for his playing days with a forward-looking business venture. Known affectionately as “Shaq,” the 7-foot-1 center dominated the paint with thunderous dunks that became cultural touchstones. Now, decades later, he is positioning himself as the godfather of a new era for the very skill that helped define his legacy.

As anticipation builds, basketball fans worldwide are watching to see which dunkers will rise to the occasion. Will veteran contest winners dominate, or will fresh talent from global circuits claim the crown? The $500,000 prize and title of world champion ensure high motivation when the first group stage tips off this summer.

Dunkman arrives at a time when highlight culture thrives on social media, but live competition with professional stakes could elevate the art form to new heights. Shaquille O’Neal’s larger-than-life presence as commissioner guarantees plenty of personality and promotion.

Whether Dunkman becomes a lasting addition to the sports calendar or a memorable summer experiment, its debut promises explosive action and the chance to finally settle the question of who truly reigns as the world’s best dunker.

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Health and wellness brand focuses on customers using GLP-1 treatments after surge in demand

Applied Nutrition says it is expanding its portfolio of products for customers using weight loss medications following a spike in demand over the past year.

The health and wellness brand said the dramatic rise in Britons using GLP-1 treatments, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, has created an opportunity to launch products specifically tailored for these consumers. Those new products will launch later this year.

The Merseyside firm has already entered the sector, offering GLP-1-compatible high-protein ready meals from the end of last year. Thomas Ryder, founder and chief executive of the company, stated the business believes it can benefit long-term from serving customers using weight-loss treatments.

He told the Press Association news agency: “The GLP-1 user is a growing customer.

“We see this as a consumer at the start of their weight loss journey who is now looking at how the medication can help them.

“There is an opportunity, as those customers often need supplements and need smaller portions.

“I think this is a catalyst for the health and wellness space if we have that consumer in mind.

“We do have a number of products we will bring to market in this area because we do see that area growing.”

Mr Ryder said the company has seen growth after pursuing new customer opportunities and channel diversification, which has witnessed the business expand in UK retail outlets. Last month, the business reported stronger sales and profits for the previous year.

The London-listed firm said pre-tax profits surged by 77.1% to £20.9 million for the six months to 31 January, compared with the prior year. Applied Nutrition said this followed a 56.5% rise in sales to £74.5 million for the half-year period.

However, it also warned that sales volumes in the Middle East are expected to be affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.

The cladding is similar to Grenfell Tower and is covering White River Place shopping centre

Hazardous cladding resembling that fitted to Grenfell Tower has been discovered covering a prominent shopping centre in Cornwall, it has emerged. The bustling location is poised to face “significant disruption” as contractors take the next two years to strip away the material.

Trinity Street in St Austell is expected to operate as a one-way thoroughfare from June 22 until April 17, 2028, enabling crucial safety work to proceed at White River Place.

Correspondence obtained by CornwallLive indicates a diversion route will remain in operation for southbound traffic throughout the entire work period, directing vehicles along Truro Road onto the A3058, the A390 and through to South Street.

It’s believed there will be numerous no left/right turn restrictions at junctions and entry points along Trinity Street to maintain single-direction traffic flow, and parking bays on the Trinity Street junction with Truro Road will be suspended to guarantee adequate turning space for HGVs and buses exiting the thoroughfare, reports Cornwall Live.

There are concerns, however, that while the work on White River Place cladding – which has been deemed unsafe – is vital for safety purposes, it will generate substantial disruption to both the immediate vicinity and broader area.

Cllr Jack Yelland, for St Austell Central and Gover, said: “These works do need to go ahead. The safety concerns around the cladding at White River Place are real, and resolving them is firmly in the interests of residents and users of the town alike.

“I am also pleased that the one way system has been chosen instead of the original proposal for 24 hour traffic lights, which would have caused far greater disruption.

“That said, I do have several concerns that I am raising with Cornwall Council and the contractors. The two-year duration feels excessive, so I am arranging meetings with the project team and others to understand the reasoning and to see whether the timeline can be shortened.”

He added: “The safety work has to happen, but two years of disruption is a long time for residents, and I want to make sure every possible step is taken to reduce traffic problems and keep people moving safely.

“I am particularly concerned about the impact on Moorland Road, which already has very limited width due to on street parking and poor visibility around corners. More traffic being pushed through could increase the likelihood of accidents.

“There will also be extra pressure at the Edgcumbe Road and Penwinnick Road junction, and then on the double roundabouts leading to South Street, where queues are already common at peak times.”

Cllr Yelland says he is pushing for “clearer and earlier diversion signage” so that drivers are directed onto more appropriate routes and “are not forced into unsafe turning points”.

Cllr James Mustoe, for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay, voiced similar concerns. He said: “The diversion takes people out of the town centre and then down Truro Road.

“However, I’d imagine a lot of people will try to go up Moorland Road, which is just off South Street, and that will just cause all sorts of issues. It’s going to back right down where the double roundabout is and it’ll just choke up traffic all around.

“I appreciate that the work needs to take place but it is going to be a significant disruption, not just for the commuters, but for the people who live there as well.”

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which followed the devastating 2017 disaster, concluded that the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding fitted to the tower was “the principal reason why the flames spread so rapidly up, down and around the building”. A total of 72 people, including 18 children, died.

The government directed building owners to inspect their properties for unsafe cladding and carry out the necessary remediation work.

Should building owners fail to address defects or unsafe cladding, local fire and rescue services or local authorities hold the power to pursue enforcement action.

Cornwall Council has confirmed it has no involvement in the works being carried out. White River Place has been contacted for comment.