Table of Contents
Key Points
- Shaquille O'Neal signs a $15 million deal to keep ‘Inside The NBA’ crew intact with TNT and ESPN partnership.
- Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson to remain on ‘Inside The NBA’ after TNT’s NBA media rights loss.
- Inside The NBA shifts to key events, joining ESPN's NBA Finals coverage and increasing O'Neal's business ventures.
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has signed a long-term contract worth $15 million annually to remain a key figure on Inside the NBA, ensuring the show’s continued success despite TNT losing its NBA media rights. The deal extends as long as ESPN carries the program, securing the award-winning broadcast team at Turner Sports, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Though the exact length of O’Neal’s contract hasn’t been revealed, however, the agreement is part of an unconventional trade with ESPN. In exchange for Big 12 college football and basketball broadcasting rights, ESPN will air Inside the NBA—a strategic shift after TNT was excluded from the NBA’s new television rights deal, which instead went to NBC and Amazon.
Inside the NBA to continue on TNT
Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson are also expected to stay on. Barkley, a longtime co-host and outspoken personality, confirmed his commitment to TNT on The Steam Room podcast, which he co-hosts with Ernie Johnson.
“I’m informing NBC that I will not accept their offer,” Barkley shared. “I’m gonna cancel future meetings with Amazon… My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports. I’m hoping this thing comes together, and I can stay with TNT and ESPN.”
In addition to O’Neal and Barkley, Front Office Sports reports that Ernie Johnson Jr. and Kenny "The Jet" Smith are set to sign multi-year deals, ensuring that Inside the NBA will continue, despite TNT’s media rights setback. Rather than being canceled, the beloved show will remain a cornerstone of NBA coverage with a new broadcast structure.
Inside the NBA rebrands for events
Inside the NBA will shift from its weekly format to a more event-focused schedule, with appearances during key NBA moments. The show will air on ESPN and ABC during the NBA Finals, conference finals, playoffs, Christmas Day games, season openers, and the final week of the regular season.
ESPN confirmed that TNT Sports will continue to produce the show from its Atlanta studios, with the familiar studio team joining ESPN’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC.
Beyond basketball, Shaquille O’Neal is rapidly expanding his business ventures. His restaurant chain, Big Chicken, partnered with H&D Group Investments in October 2023 to open 20 locations across Michigan, marking a significant push into the food industry.
In early 2024, O'Neal also expressed interest in returning to NBA ownership and exploring investments in Formula 1, further diversifying his portfolio. His continued role on Inside the NBA ensures TNT remains a dominant force in basketball media, even as the network loses its NBA rights to new competitors.
