Keshad Johnson Clinches 2026 Slam Dunk Contest Title at All-Star Saturday

## Overview The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the world, featuring 30 teams—29 based in the United States and one in Canada[1]. Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, the NBA is recognized as one of the major professional sports leagues in North America and is the second-wealthiest by revenue, trailing only the National Football League (NFL)[1]. NBA players are among the highest-paid athletes globally, reflecting the league’s commercial success and global appeal[1]. ## History The NBA was established in 1949 through the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL), though it traces its official founding to the BAA’s 1946 inception[1]. A pivotal moment came in 1976 with the NBA-ABA merger, which expanded the league by four franchises and helped solidify its dominance in American basketball[1]. The league’s regular season traditionally runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games, followed by a playoff tournament culminating in the NBA Finals in June[1]. ## Key Achievements The Boston Celtics hold the record for the most NBA championships, with 18 titles, most recently in 2024[1][3]. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning champions, having won the 2025 NBA Finals—their first title since relocating from Seattle[1][3]. The NBA has also produced iconic individual achievements: LeBron James is the all-time leading scorer, and Russell Westbrook holds the record for most triple-doubles[3]. The league’s global reach is reflected in its massive fan base, social media presence, and international player recruitment. ## Current Status and Innovations The 2025–26 season marks the NBA’s 80th anniversary and introduces new broadcast partnerships with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, signaling a major shift in sports media distribution[2]. The league continues to

**AT&T** is a leading American multinational telecommunications conglomerate specializing in providing extensive connectivity solutions, including wireless services, fiber internet, and advanced 5G networks. Its core business focuses on delivering fast, reliable, and secure wireless and fiber broadband to consumers, businesses, and government entities. AT&T’s advanced 5G technology powers innovations across sectors such as smart homes, cities, healthcare, augmented and virtual reality, and collaborative workplace tools, positioning it at the forefront of next-generation connectivity[1]. Founded over 145 years ago, AT&T’s origins trace back to Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone, marking the company as a pioneer in communications technology. Over its history, AT&T has evolved from a traditional telephone company to a diversified technology and telecommunications giant. It maintains the largest wireless network in North America, with its mid-band 5G spectrum now covering over 280 million people, underscoring its expansive reach and leadership in wireless infrastructure[1]. Key achievements include its nationwide deployment of 5G and expansion of multi-gigabit fiber internet services, which are crucial for meeting the rapidly growing data consumption projected to be five times higher by 2025 compared to 2021. This growth is supported by significant capital investment, with $22 billion allocated for 2025 and plans to increase to $23-$24 billion annually through 2027. Financially, AT&T has demonstrated strong performance with ongoing revenue and EBITDA growth, particularly in its mobility and consumer fiber broadband segments, while executing a $20 billion share repurchase program from 2025 to 2027[2]. AT&T is also known for its innovative consumer and enterprise offerings, such as “Clutch Calls,” FirstNet Fusion for mission-critical communications, and partnerships like the one with Toyota to enhance connected vehicle services via 5G[3]. The company emphasizes diversity and community engagement, encouraging employees to bring authentic perspectives to work and positively impact society[1]. Overall, AT&