The best studio programming in sports isn't going away, it's just changing channels. The weekend rumors are gone. for Monday's announcement Inside the NBA It will continue to run beyond the 2025-26 season.everything about the show will remain the same, but it will start airing on ESPN.
That's because Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille will give us the same free programming we want even though TNT has lost its rights to the NBA starting next season. That means we won't lose O'Neal.
“Inside the NBA is widely recognized as one of the best and most culturally influential programs in sports,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “We've long admired this extremely talented team and are excited to add their chemistry and knowledge to our powerful NBA Studio product set to better serve NBA fans like never before.” We're excited to offer this, and the addition of Inside the NBA further solidifies ESPN as a premier destination for sports fans.”
Up until this point, the 2024-25 season has been seen as the end of an era of sorts, and there seems to be no way to resolve the issue with all key players on paper under long-term contracts with TNT and Warner Bros. Meanwhile, the NBA itself will sign new rights deals with ESPN, NBCUniversal and Amazon.
What's so unusual about this agreement is that literally nothing has changed. Inside the NBA It will continue to be produced by TNT and broadcast from its Atlanta-based studio, but will also be broadcast on ESPN and ABC as part of the deal. This means that while behind-the-scenes staff like Ernie, Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq remain critical to the show's success, the show's tone, feel, and pace remain the same, along with its talent.
“At TNT Sports, we take great pride in our 'Inside the NBA' show, and its success reflects the iconic talent on set and behind-the-scenes talent that consistently showcases the creativity and skill of our great team. “We know that this is a reflection of both the great people we have,'' Sports CEO Louis Silberwasser said in a statement. “We're thrilled to continue producing 'Inside the NBA' on ESPN and ABC so fans can continue to enjoy the magic of the show throughout the NBA season.”
This is definitely great news for sports fans. Inside the NBA As iconic as the league itself, it brings a lighthearted and often upbeat approach to the sport that is unmatched anywhere else.
Arguably some of the best sports news of the week. You can now resume watching Inside the NBA Without feeling like everything is coming to an end.
