One of the most famous and fan favorite sports show ‘Inside the NBA’ has bid emotional farewell to TNT Sports Network. The show was on air with the broadcasting major for more than three decades and fans tuned in to watch their favorite panelists: Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith analyse the live NBA games alongside having a fun and joyous time on air.
Last year, ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime secured exclusive broadcasting rights of the NBA for a stretch of 11 years for a mammoth contract worth atleast $76 billion. This move ascertained that the ‘Inside the NBA’ had its last episode aired on TNT during the Eastern Conference Finals in May. Now ESPN and ABC have secured exclusive broadcasting right of the league and with this the show will continue but will now air on ESPN.
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What Will Happen to the Crew of ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN?
On Nov 17, 2024, ESPN executives finally cleared the air around the continuation of ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN starting the 2025-26 campaign. In the media report, the executives said, “ESPN, in partnership with TNT Sports and the National Basketball Association, announced today that it will exclusively present the iconic Inside the NBA studio show on its platforms starting with the 2025-26 regular season.”
“TNT Sports will continue to independently produce Inside the NBA from its Atlanta-based studios over the term of the agreement.”
Furthermore, the broadcasting giant reaffirmed to all the NBA fans that the same crew will remain on the show after all four panelists had signed multi-year contracts with ESPN and ABC.
“The legendary Inside the NBA studio team will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN’s pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events,” as per the official statement by ESPN.
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley Reacted to the NBA Show Moving to ESPN From TNT
During the last final broadcast of ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals, league legend and active crew member O’Neal said, “Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”
Barkley said, “I just want to say thank you to the NBA. Every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life that I’ve had. I am so lucky and blessed. I’m lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”
The new NBA season kicks off on Tuesday night with the opening game between the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center. The second game on opening night will be between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.