""Lets get the best guys in," Ishbia said Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show, where he unveiled the idea. "Let's make it awesome." The concept, however, would run into some red tape. Officials from the NBA league office and players' union told ESPN such a prize would not conform with the existing bonus structure."
"The last time a current All-Star won the Slam Dunk Contest was Blake Griffin in 2011. The Miami Heat's Keshad Johnson won this year's event in Los Angeles. Damian Lillard, a nine-time All-Star, won his third Three-Point Contest in the past four years."
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia proposed offering $1 million prizes to winners of the 2027 Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest, with an additional $1 million directed to charity for each event. Ishbia aims to increase participation from elite players in All-Star Weekend competitions when Phoenix hosts the event. He made the announcement on the Pat McAfee Show without consulting the NBA league office beforehand. However, NBA officials and the players' union informed ESPN that such prizes would violate existing bonus structure regulations. Despite this setback, Ishbia remains committed to finding alternative ways to encourage star players to participate in the events.
Read at ESPN.com
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