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Shaq to launch professional dunk league  NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.The ‌winner of the final will receive a 0,000 grand prize.“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,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA seasonThe events will air across        TNT, ‌       TBS, t       ruTV, and H       BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.Published on Apr 07, 2026  #Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league

Shaq to launch professional dunk league

NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.

The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.

Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.

The ‌winner of the final will receive a $500,000 grand prize.

“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,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.

READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA season

The events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.

TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.

A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Shaq #launch #professional #dunk #league

NBA great Shaquille O’Neal said on Monday he is ​launching a professional dunk league with its ‌inaugural season set to debut this ​year.

The league, which also has ⁠the backing of TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, builds on the DUNKMAN TV series launched ‌last year and aims to turn dunk contests from one-off showcase ‌events into a structured professional ‌competition.

Featuring ⁠24 athletes from around the world, ⁠the league’s first season will include four live group-stage events, with competitors vying for places in ​the DUNKMAN World Championship.

The ‌winner of the final will receive a $500,000 grand prize.

“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,” O’Neal, who ⁠will serve as league commissioner, said in a statement.

READ: Victor Wembanyama injury update — San Antonio Spurs star doubtful for rest of NBA season

The events will air across TNT, ‌ TBS, t ruTV, and H BO Max, with additional content distributed through social media channels and other digital brands.

TNT Sports chief content officer Craig Barry said the league would target audiences drawn to both ‌sports and culture, adding that the partnership with ​O’Neal would help create programming built around the personalities and creativity ⁠of top dunkers.

A panel of judges will evaluate ⁠each dunk attempt to decide which athletes advance through the competition. ‌Details such as host cities, participants, and broadcast information would be announced in ​the coming weeks.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

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Deadspin | Blue Jays adjust bullpen in advance of series against Dodgers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28428098.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28428098.jpg" alt="MLB: Spring Training-Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Josh Fleming (35) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-hander Josh Fleming from Triple-A Buffalo to give the bullpen a fresh arm in advance of a much-anticipated three-game home series that starts Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated right-hander Austin Voth for assignment.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Fleming, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, started his only game at Buffalo and gave up one run over 3 2/3 innings while throwing 57 pitches. He can provide length out of the bullpen with Toronto set to start Max Scherzer in the opening game of the series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>Fleming, 29, did not pitch in the major leagues last season but from 2020-24, he was 20-14 with a 4.77 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays (2020-23) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024).</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Voth, 33, gave up one run over 2 2/3 innings of his lone appearance for the Blue Jays on Sunday. He is 17-19 with a 4.69 ERA in 208 appearances (39 starts) over eight major league seasons with four different clubs.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Blue Jays enter the World Series rematch on a four-game losing streak after they were swept in a three-game road series by the Chicago White Sox. The bullpen received heavy usage in the series.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #adjust #bullpen #advance #series #Dodgers

Deadspin | Randy Arozarena’s homer helps Mariners top Astros to end skid  Apr 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images   Randy Arozarena hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer into the second deck in left field in the fifth inning and the Seattle Mariners snapped a five-game skid with a 9-6 victory against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday night.  Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer for the Astros, who lost their fifth in a row.  Mariners starter Emerson Hancock (2-1) overcame one shaky frame to pitch five innings and allowed three runs on four hits. The right-hander walked two and struck out five.  With the score tied at 3-all, Josh Naylor led off the bottom of the fifth by grounding a single to center field. Arozarena followed with a 426-foot blast off Astros reliever Ryan Weiss (0-2).  The Mariners added four runs in the seventh. Dominic Canzone doubled home one run and another scored on a single by J.P. Crawford. The others came home on a wild pitch and groundout.  Alvarez’s three-run shot to right in the eighth off Cole Wilcox halved the Astros’ deficit. Matt Brash came in to get an inning-ending double play and Andres Munoz worked the ninth for his first save of the season.   Houston starter Tatsuya Imai didn’t make it out of the first inning despite not allowing a ball to leave the infield.  Crawford, moved into the top spot in the Mariners’ lineup with Brendan Donovan out with an illness, and Cal Raleigh drew back-to-back walks and Julio Rodriguez reached on an infield single to load the bases with no outs.  Naylor walked to bring home the first run and Arozarena was hit by a pitch to make it 2-0. The third scored when Luke Raley grounded out. Cole Young walked to re-load the bases, ending Imai’s night. The right-hander was charged with three runs on one hit in one-third of an inning, with four walks and the hit batter.  The Astros tied it with three runs in the second.  Isaac Paredes grounded a single to left and advanced on a wild pitch. After a base on balls to Christian Walker, Carlos Correa lined a single to center to load the bases. Hancock appeared on the verge of getting out of the jam when Cam Smith lined out to third and Joey Loperfido struck out. Christian Vazquez grounded a double down the left-field line, scoring all three runners.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Randy #Arozarenas #homer #helps #Mariners #top #Astros #skidApr 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Randy Arozarena hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer into the second deck in left field in the fifth inning and the Seattle Mariners snapped a five-game skid with a 9-6 victory against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday night.

Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer for the Astros, who lost their fifth in a row.

Mariners starter Emerson Hancock (2-1) overcame one shaky frame to pitch five innings and allowed three runs on four hits. The right-hander walked two and struck out five.

With the score tied at 3-all, Josh Naylor led off the bottom of the fifth by grounding a single to center field. Arozarena followed with a 426-foot blast off Astros reliever Ryan Weiss (0-2).

The Mariners added four runs in the seventh. Dominic Canzone doubled home one run and another scored on a single by J.P. Crawford. The others came home on a wild pitch and groundout.


Alvarez’s three-run shot to right in the eighth off Cole Wilcox halved the Astros’ deficit. Matt Brash came in to get an inning-ending double play and Andres Munoz worked the ninth for his first save of the season.

Houston starter Tatsuya Imai didn’t make it out of the first inning despite not allowing a ball to leave the infield.

Crawford, moved into the top spot in the Mariners’ lineup with Brendan Donovan out with an illness, and Cal Raleigh drew back-to-back walks and Julio Rodriguez reached on an infield single to load the bases with no outs.

Naylor walked to bring home the first run and Arozarena was hit by a pitch to make it 2-0. The third scored when Luke Raley grounded out. Cole Young walked to re-load the bases, ending Imai’s night. The right-hander was charged with three runs on one hit in one-third of an inning, with four walks and the hit batter.

The Astros tied it with three runs in the second.

Isaac Paredes grounded a single to left and advanced on a wild pitch. After a base on balls to Christian Walker, Carlos Correa lined a single to center to load the bases. Hancock appeared on the verge of getting out of the jam when Cam Smith lined out to third and Joey Loperfido struck out. Christian Vazquez grounded a double down the left-field line, scoring all three runners.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Randy #Arozarenas #homer #helps #Mariners #top #Astros #skid">Deadspin | Randy Arozarena’s homer helps Mariners top Astros to end skid  Apr 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images   Randy Arozarena hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer into the second deck in left field in the fifth inning and the Seattle Mariners snapped a five-game skid with a 9-6 victory against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday night.  Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer for the Astros, who lost their fifth in a row.  Mariners starter Emerson Hancock (2-1) overcame one shaky frame to pitch five innings and allowed three runs on four hits. The right-hander walked two and struck out five.  With the score tied at 3-all, Josh Naylor led off the bottom of the fifth by grounding a single to center field. Arozarena followed with a 426-foot blast off Astros reliever Ryan Weiss (0-2).  The Mariners added four runs in the seventh. Dominic Canzone doubled home one run and another scored on a single by J.P. Crawford. The others came home on a wild pitch and groundout.  Alvarez’s three-run shot to right in the eighth off Cole Wilcox halved the Astros’ deficit. Matt Brash came in to get an inning-ending double play and Andres Munoz worked the ninth for his first save of the season.   Houston starter Tatsuya Imai didn’t make it out of the first inning despite not allowing a ball to leave the infield.  Crawford, moved into the top spot in the Mariners’ lineup with Brendan Donovan out with an illness, and Cal Raleigh drew back-to-back walks and Julio Rodriguez reached on an infield single to load the bases with no outs.  Naylor walked to bring home the first run and Arozarena was hit by a pitch to make it 2-0. The third scored when Luke Raley grounded out. Cole Young walked to re-load the bases, ending Imai’s night. The right-hander was charged with three runs on one hit in one-third of an inning, with four walks and the hit batter.  The Astros tied it with three runs in the second.  Isaac Paredes grounded a single to left and advanced on a wild pitch. After a base on balls to Christian Walker, Carlos Correa lined a single to center to load the bases. Hancock appeared on the verge of getting out of the jam when Cam Smith lined out to third and Joey Loperfido struck out. Christian Vazquez grounded a double down the left-field line, scoring all three runners.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Randy #Arozarenas #homer #helps #Mariners #top #Astros #skid

Praful Hinge made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings at the MYSI Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday.

Hinge, a right-arm fast bowler, represents Vidarbha in State cricket. SRH got hold of his services at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh.

The 24-year-old made his senior debut across formats in the 2024-25 season.

His story | Hope, hunger and hard work — Vidarbha pacer Hinge looks to continue rise after realising IPL dream

In the 10 First Class matches, Hinge has picked 27 wickets at an average of 26.66; in List A, he has taken five wickets in six games. He has only played on T20 game and claimed one wicket.

Hinge has also been training with the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and went to Brisbane for a 15-day camp in 2024.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#Praful #Hinge #Vidarbha #making #IPL #debut #SRH #PBKS">Who is Praful Hinge? The Vidarbha making his IPL debut for SRH vs PBKS  Praful Hinge made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings at the MYSI Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday.Hinge, a right-arm fast bowler, represents Vidarbha in State cricket. SRH got hold of his services at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh.The 24-year-old made his senior debut across formats in the 2024-25 season.His story | Hope, hunger and hard work — Vidarbha pacer Hinge looks to continue rise after realising IPL dreamIn the 10 First Class matches, Hinge has picked 27 wickets at an average of 26.66; in List A, he has taken five wickets in six games. He has only played on T20 game and claimed one wicket.Hinge has also been training with the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and went to Brisbane for a 15-day camp in 2024.Published on Apr 11, 2026  #Praful #Hinge #Vidarbha #making #IPL #debut #SRH #PBKS

Hope, hunger and hard work — Vidarbha pacer Hinge looks to continue rise after realising IPL dream

In the 10 First Class matches, Hinge has picked 27 wickets at an average of 26.66; in List A, he has taken five wickets in six games. He has only played on T20 game and claimed one wicket.

Hinge has also been training with the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and went to Brisbane for a 15-day camp in 2024.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#Praful #Hinge #Vidarbha #making #IPL #debut #SRH #PBKS">Who is Praful Hinge? The Vidarbha making his IPL debut for SRH vs PBKS

Praful Hinge made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings at the MYSI Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday.

Hinge, a right-arm fast bowler, represents Vidarbha in State cricket. SRH got hold of his services at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh.

The 24-year-old made his senior debut across formats in the 2024-25 season.

His story | Hope, hunger and hard work — Vidarbha pacer Hinge looks to continue rise after realising IPL dream

In the 10 First Class matches, Hinge has picked 27 wickets at an average of 26.66; in List A, he has taken five wickets in six games. He has only played on T20 game and claimed one wicket.

Hinge has also been training with the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and went to Brisbane for a 15-day camp in 2024.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#Praful #Hinge #Vidarbha #making #IPL #debut #SRH #PBKS

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