Fans of the popular TNT show “Inside the NBA” got the news they were hoping for regarding the future of the program.
“Inside the NBA” appeared to be in limbo after TNT lost the rights to broadcast NBA games beginning next season. But according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand and Jenna West, the Emmy-winning program will move to ABC and ESPN as part of a recent settlement between ESPN and TNT.
The iconic panel featuring Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley will all reportedly remain on board as part of the move. While O’Neal still needs to sign a contract extension, he has said to be fully committed to remaining on the show.
The agreement will only apply within the United States as TNT will retain global rights to broadcast the program outside the US.
Barkley, who had received several offers to jump ship, has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to TNT despite the uncertain circumstances. The workaround to keep the “Inside the NBA” program and crew intact is clearly a win for the Hall of Famer and his co-panelists.
Barkley became a part of “Inside the NBA” in 2000 after the end of his playing career. O’Neal joined Barkley, Johnson, and Smith in 2011.
