Breaking News: Shaquille O’Neal returns to TNT without Charles Barkley: the millions he will earn after signing his new contract…see more

Shaquille O’Neal harshly criticized ESPN for its workplace culture when the changes in NBA broadcasting rights were announced.

The agreement was valued at $76 billion, with ESPN, Amazon, and NBC emerging as the new holders of those rights. Shaq also fired a few sharp comments at TNT, the network that held the rights until May 2025, yet he remained cautious, playing both sides between ESPN and TNT. According to Variety, the former Los Angeles Lakers star will continue working with TNT, though not in his usual role delivering pointed critiques of NBA players.

Instead, he will serve as a judge on a new program. Dunkman is the title of this upcoming reality show, set to premiere in December 2025, which will follow contestants as they showcase how they execute their dunks. O’Neal will be joined by Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson, Mac McClung, and Chris Webber, forming a panel that will determine which competitors demonstrate the strongest skills in each challenge.

The show will feature participants from around the world, all vying for a $200,000 prize. While the format is not new nor particularly innovative, what stands out is the network’s determination to keep Shaquille O’Neal as part of its roster.

His $15 million contract helps TNT maintain a dominant, magnetic personality whose presence consistently delivers strong ratings.