Suns' Mat Ishbia eyes $1M prize for dunk, 3-point contest winners - ESPN

ESPN

by Brian Windhorst

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Suns owner Mat Ishbia is aiming to spice up the 2027 All-Star Weekend in Phoenix by offering a $1 million prize to the winners of both the slam dunk and 3-point contests. Hoping to attract top-tier talent, Ishbia’s ambitious proposal includes not only a substantial cash reward but also a commitment to donate another $1 million to charity for each event. This move reflects his desire to elevate the profile of these competitions, which have struggled to draw marquee names in recent years. However, Ishbia’s plan faces potential hurdles. NBA officials and the players’ union have indicated that such a prize structure may not align with current regulations or bonus systems already in place. Despite these challenges, Ishbia remains determined to find a way to make his vision a reality, emphasizing the importance of engaging star players in what he hopes will be a more electrifying display. The last time an All-Star won the dunk contest was in 2011 with Blake Griffin’s iconic performance. This year, Keshad Johnson took home the title, but many fans and analysts argue that the event has lost some of its luster without consistent participation from top players like Damian Lillard, who recently claimed his third 3-point championship. Ishbia’s proposal not only aims to inject excitement back into these fan-favorite events but also highlights the growing pressure on organizers to innovate and attract bigger names. If successful, this could set a new precedent for future All-Star Weekends, potentially drawing more viewers and making the contests a must-watch spectacle once again. For sports enthusiasts, this development holds significance as it could redefine how we experience basketball’s most iconic events.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026