Wondering whether Inside the NBA is ending after it was announced that the show will leave TNT? Over the years, the show hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal has captured massive attention. However, their emotional remarks on their several years’ journey during All-Star weekend’s main event have seemingly sparked doubts about their show’s future.
Here are all the details.
Could Inside the NBA be ending after leaving TNT?
Yes, Inside the NBA is ending on TNT. However, fans of the show need not worry because it will return to ESPN for its next 11 seasons.
Fans were concerned about Inside the NBA’s future after the 2025 season. Warner Bros. Discovery, who owns TNT, initially offered a $1.8 billion yearly deal. However, it was ultimately turned down, risking the show’s future. Subsequently, ESPN hopped in with a surprising deal to air the upcoming seasons on its network.
TNT’s NBA media rights were handed off to Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, aiming to bring the league $76 billion over 11 years. Despite the transition, the series’ fate was eventually secured. Additionally, the beloved team of Inside the NBA will be back to host the following seasons.
O’Neal’s recent remarks on Thursday night in front of the audience led to many wondering if he could be leaving the show, too. However, the comment appeared to be a joke and he is likely not going anywhere. He is reportedly on a long-term deal with TNT, entitling him to receive $15 million annually. Though the contract’s tenure is unknown, it allows him to stay on the show despite its transition to the new network.
Smith and Johnson will also be back for upcoming seasons. Meanwhile, Barkley signed a 10-year contract with TNT in 2022. In an episode of The Steam Room podcast, he reflected on how it’s difficult for him to leave TNT. Moreover, he sat with both networks to determine his next career move.
He said, “I’m not going to work more as I get older. And I’m going to sit down with ESPN and TNT more because I just need to know if I’m going to continue working. That’s my only decision going forward, how much I’m going to work.“ (via Front Office Sports)
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon.
