Report reveals whether Stephen A. Smith will be joining ‘Inside the NBA’ crew

Dec 18, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith broadcasts before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

It does not appear that “Inside the NBA” will be jumping the shark any time soon.

The big news broke this week that the popular television program “Inside the NBA” will be remaining on the air beyond this season, despite this being the last season that TNT (the show’s regular network) will hold the rights to the NBA. Beginning in 2025-26, “Inside the NBA” is moving to ESPN and ABC as part of a settlement between ESPN and TNT (full details here).

On Monday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald revealed an interesting detail about future of “Inside the NBA.” Jackson reports that the show will continue to be produced from Atlanta … which means that Stephen A. Smith will not be joining the crew.

Many fans were worried that Smith, who is based in New York, would be placed on the “Inside the NBA” panel by ESPN since he is their biggest star with exposure on countless different programs. But while Smith could still be shoehorned in there from time to time as a remote guest, it looks like he will not logistically be able to join the regular “Inside the NBA” team.

The critically-acclaimed “Inside the NBA” has found a winning formula with their four-man crew of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal (a group that has been together since 2011). But even if Stephen A. won’t be coming aboard, there is still a little bit of contract uncertainty right now with one of those core four members.