Mat Ishbia ready to put his hand in his pocket to reignite the dunk contest
For nearly ten years, the NBA has been racking its brains to revitalize itself All-Star Gamewhose interest among the general public is gradually waning. With the new format envisioned this season (pitching players from the United States against those from the rest of the world) the league could have a credible lead.
At the same time, the biggest project remains the dunk contest. If the 3-point contest continues to attract top players (Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray all participated this year), the dunk contest, won this year by Keshad Johnson, has struggled to attract superstars for more than a decade. Blake Griffin thus remains the last active All-Star to win it, in 2011.
Show guest Pat McAfee, owner of the Suns, Matt Ishbiahe proposed an idea to make the competitions more attractive: offer a million dollars to each winner, as well as two charities.
Let’s bring the best players, let’s make it great. he stated.
The next All-Star Weekend will take place in Phoenix…
According to ESPNwho inquired with NBA officials and the players’ union, this offer could still encounter a legal framework that at this stage does not allow such an initiative…
The American media specify that Matt Ishby would not have consulted the NBA before making his proposal public. Leader, however, has good reason to feel concerned about the event as the 2027 All-Star Weekend must take place in Phoenix.
“We will say how to make the event exceptional – not about the format of the match itself, whether it’s East vs West or USA – the rest of the world. But about how to make it an amazing experience for the players and for the fans. We will make something big out of it.”he added.
2026-02-26 12:47:00
