There’s been a ton of talk – and a lot of coverage right here on the ShaqFu Radio blog – about what’s going to happen to the crew of Inside the NBA, if and when the TNT Networks come to the end of their contract to cover NBA hoops action.
As we all know, Inside the NBA is absolutely must-see TV for anyone who follows the NBA and enjoys the off-the-cuff banter and game analysis from our man Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and award-winning host Ernie Johnson. The show has been around for years, but now it may be coming to an end, now that Warner Brothers / Discovery – the parent company of TNT – has apparently failed in it’s bid to continue to cover NBA games and post-season action.
There’s been a ton of coverage on that whole NBA broadcast-contract thing, and we don’t need to rehash it here. Other networks, including NBC and even Amazon, have come to the table with billions of dollars to take over basketball TV coverage. Warner Bros. Discovery says it’s not out of the game yet, and has gone to court in New York state to sue the NBA for not accepting their matching offer for one of the TV rights packages.
So the final bell hasn’t really rung on all the contract dealings yet, but it’s looking more and more like TNT is out. The big question; what’s going to happen to the TNT / Inside crew? At least one member of the team – Sir Charles Barkley – says he’s staying with TNT, no matter what.
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Appearing on a recent podcast with popular sportscaster Dan Patrick, Barkley intends to remain with TNT Sports through the remainder of his contract with the network. That’s a bit of a change of heart and mind for Barkley, who had originally announced he’d be retiring from television. He made that announcement back in June during the NBA Finals.
At the time, Barkley said the 2024-25 NBA season would be his last on television no matter what eventually happened with the NBA’s media deal negotiations. But, checking his contract shows that Barkley signed a 10-year contract extension with TNT Sports back in 2022. So he’s technically got until 2032 already booked.
On the podcast, Barkley said he’s looking for new ideas for sports-related shows at TNT: “I love my TNT Sports family. My No. 1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible,” Barkley said in a statement. “… I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and new ones we develop together in the future.”
Barkley said he has no intention of looking for work anywhere else: “This is the only place for me. I have to say … I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about. … I’m going to give my all as we keep [fans] entertained for years to come.”
Fan reaction to the potential end of Inside the NBA on TNT has been huge, with virtually everyone looking for a way to keep the band together, even if it’s on one of the other networks taking over NBA coverage. Will that happen? Probably not. “Inside the NBA” host Ernie Johnson has also said he intends to remain with TNT. So far, there’s been no official word from our man Shaq or from Kenny Smith.
Barkley joined TNT in 2000 and has been a part of the fan-favorite “Inside the NBA” program for years. Through those years, the show has racked up 21 Sports Emmy Awards and has served as the model for many other sports analysis and commentary programs. Barkley has his share of hardware, too. He’s won five Sports Emmys for Outstanding Studio Analyst over the years.
Even without the main NBA contract, TNT Sports has several other irons in the sports-fire. The network also carries the NHL and NCAA men’s basketball tournament with CBS. It recently games from the College Football Playoffs, Big East basketball, NASCAR and the French Open tennis.
As for TNT, the company is happy Sir Charles has decided to stay. TNT Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser recently said, “Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television. I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles’ one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future.”
As for how and where Sir Charles – and perhaps the rest of TNT’s Inside the NBA crew show up next… well, once again, it’s a case of “stay tuned.”