NBA Owner Offers $1M Prize to All-Star Contest Winners
The NBA's reinvention of the All-Star Game was a success in 2026, as the best American players battled the world's top stars in a competitive and entertaining exhibition. Television ratings were up for the game itself, but fans felt that the content surrounding All-Star Weekend as a whole was less than perfect.
Many fans called out the lack of star power in the traditional All-Star Saturday competitions. This year's three-point contest featured an interesting narrative with returning star Damian Lillard emerging victorious, but many fans had to look up the four players competing in the dunk contest.
The NBA dunk contest used to be a great way for rising young players to get a chance to shine in front of a national audience. Players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter used performances in the dunk contest to become overnight superstars, but it seems that this generation of top players isn't interested in taking part.
Phoenix Suns Owner Makes Bold Proposal
One NBA owner wants to change that, and he's quite literally ready to put his money where his mouth is.
"Let's get the best guys in," said Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia during an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" this week. Ishbia said that he would be willing to give the winner of the both the dunk contest and three-point contest a prize of $1 million each, with another $1 million going to charity.
The Suns will host next year's All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, marking the first time the city of Phoenix has hosted the event since 2009, and Ishbia's first time All-Star Weekend as an owner.
"We're hosting the All-Star Game in Phoenix next year..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 25, 2026
We're gonna make it an amazing event"
LET'S MAKE IT BIG @Mishbia15 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1KdBc8RPNC
Ishbia's proposal would need to be approved by the NBA, who says that his concept does not fall within the currently approved bonus structure in the league and players' collective bargaining agreement. Ishbia would also need to navigate potential concerns around conflicts of interest as an active NBA owner, and would be in a scenario where he could pay two players who don't play for his team.
NBA Sees Lack of Star Power in All-Star Events
A current NBA All-Star has not won the league's dunk contest since 2011, when Blake Griffin jumped over a car to complete his final dunk. The contest has featured several young players and even G-League standouts like three-time champion Mac McClung. McClung, who won the last three dunk contests, opted out of participating for a fourth straight year in 2026.
"Not going to be 4 in a row," McClung's brother told ESPN. "Not one reason that I could say that was the main reason. In my opinion it is more like a bunch of reasons that just pointed to him not doing it."
This year's dunk contest featured the San Antonio Spurs' Carter Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers' Jaxson Hayes and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic. Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the contest after tepid reactions to his dunks on social media.
Watch for Keshad Johnson's slam.
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2026
Stay for Giannis' reaction after his jam ???????? pic.twitter.com/SnbrwUf8ij
Stars have been more inclined to participate in the three-point contest, with players like Lillard, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson making the event the highlight of All-Star Saturday in recent years. This year, a total of six participants (out of eight) in the three-point event were current or former All-Stars.
Time will tell if the league is open to Ishbia's proposal or others like it, and if star players around the NBA are incentivized to participate in these showcase events because of a greater financial payout.