Kenny “The Jet” Smith is considering becoming a free agent.
If the network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, loses its bid to acquire the NBA's media rights in the next deal, which begins in 2025, the “Inside the NBA” personalities will not be available for more than 20 years. This may be his last year with TNT. -26 seasons.
Many people would be nervous about the unknown, but Smith isn't.
The former two-time NBA champion quietly enjoys the praise he receives for his on-air skills.
“Well, it feels great to start the season. I feel like that pretty girl at the dance that everyone wants to take you to prom,” Smith told the Post while speaking. Ta. New promotions on FanDuelThis includes a League Pass offer on Wednesday ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. “I'm talking about other networks. [laughs]or stay on the same network [TNT] And then we'll do a hybrid show. It's a hybrid type of show for us.
“So for me, it's an interesting time being a free agent. It was a joke. [previously]but I think I'll do it from now on. I'll do it eventually lebron [James] “I'm going to use my talent to help the kids around me be like him…I'm going to find a Boys and Girls Club somewhere in the next 30 days and announce it.”
Smith was referring to when James announced on ESPN's “The Decision” television special that he was taking his “talents” from the Cavaliers to the Heat for the 2010 NBA season. was.
“But it's a lot of fun. When it comes to basketball, it's me. It's great to be coveted by so many people and even by TNT,” said Smith, 59. “Like I said, I'm trying to build something that might outlive that, or some other network. But it's basketball and it's me. This is what I'm doing. I've been doing that for a decade. I put myself, our show doesn't have anything we all do together, we all do things separately, we all do things together. I think I was able to put myself in a position where I could do something like that.
“We see us as Seinfeld. We're a group of guys, but we're all great individuals as well. It's really fun. ”
Smith, along with “Inside the NBA” co-hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson, are at the center of speculation about the future of the Emmy Award-winning show after 40 years on TNT. It becomes.
The NBA's current broadcast agreement with TNT runs through the 2025-26 season, including the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
In July, the NBA signed an 11-year deal to air games on Amazon Prime Video and NBC, as well as Disney's platforms, ESPN and ABC.
at that time, TNT said It matched Amazon's offer “because we have contractual rights and do not believe the NBA can reject our bid.”
“We believe they have grossly misunderstood their contractual rights for the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action,” TNT said in a statement. “But we look forward to another great NBA season on TNT and Max, including the iconic Inside the NBA.”
The NBA responded in a statement that Warner Bros. Discovery's “latest offer did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video's offer, so we entered into a long-term agreement with Amazon.”
The deal is an 11-year, $1.8 billion annual deal.
In August, the NBA filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court over Warner Bros. Discovery's lawsuit, filed last month, alleging the NBA was in breach of contract for rejecting its WBD contract to accommodate viewing on Amazon Prime Video. asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed. Offer.
In September, both Agreed to “quick resolution” If the lawsuit against the NBA is not dismissed immediately, a trial is expected to begin in April 2025 at the latest.
There was also talk of the “Inside the NBA” staff recreating a famous studio show on another network.
However, Barkley backed away from that idea over the summer, saying earlier this year that there was an opt-out in the contract.
johnson reportedly I plan to stay with TNT.
O'Neal, who will become president of Reebok Basketball in October 2023, has not yet disclosed his future plans. After retiring from the NBA in 2011, he joined TNT.
“Inside the NBA” staff will return to the air. Special coverage of NBA opening night when the Celtics host the Knicks on Oct. 22.
TNT will record the live show at City Hall Plaza, with special performances by Shabouzi and Benson Boone.
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