TNT's 'Inside the NBA' signs off as it transitions to ESPN. Will there be changes to the landmark show?
After 35 seasons, "Inside the NBA" as we know it is no more.
The iconic studio show signed off for the last time on TNT at the conclusion of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.
Advertisement
Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller bid farewell to Turner's coverage of the NBA at the end of the trophy presentation with an emotional tribute to the many broadcasters who had worked for the network over the years.
It's the end of an era that's significant to NBA fans of all ages. But fret not, loyal viewers. "Inside the NBA" isn't going away. It's just moving to a new location at ESPN.
ESPN acquired the rights to "Inside the NBA" in a landmark November deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to broadcast the show on its networks. In return, TNT Sports will take over exclusive rights to a slate of Big 12 football and men's college basketball games from ESPN in addition to a deal that it previously had in place with the network for rights to College Football Playoff games.
Advertisement
In short, "Inside the NBA" will carry on next season despite the end of TNT's 35-year run covering the NBA.
"Inside the NBA" will no longer air on TNT, but it's not going away for good. (Photo by Andrew Burke-Stevenson/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Is ESPN going to mess with Inside the NBA?
Probably/hopefully not?
ESPN and chairman Jimmy Pitaro wanted "Inside the NBA" for a reason. ESPN is not very good at producing NBA studio shows.
For pretty much its entire existence as an NBA partner, ESPN has failed to produce a show that's compelling, much less one that captures the zeitgeist like "Inside the NBA." Instead, the quality of the ESPN product has generally ranged from functional to must-mute.
"Inside the NBA" is so iconic, it was parodied on "Saturday Night Live" in 2022. (Photo by Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
(NBC via Getty Images)
The struggles aren't from a lack of trying. ESPN has rotated in and out a cast of hosts, analysts and reporters while trying to find the right formula. None of the efforts has produced more than moderate success, despite significant high-level talent in the rotation.
Advertisement
So Pitaro reached a reasonable conclusion. If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. Or trade for 'em, at least. Once it became clear that TNT was, in fact, getting out of the NBA business for the first time since 1989, Pitaro came up with one of the more brilliant, yet obvious ideas in recent sports media: obtain the rights to "Inside the NBA" and put it on the air as is.
It was an idea with two significant impacts: Upgrade the product around ESPN's NBA broadcasts. And, more importantly in the grand scheme, give a lifeline to "Inside the NBA," which was previously on track to become an all-too unfortunate casualty of the latest NBA media rights shuffle.
TNT 'will continue to independently produce Inside the NBA'
By all accounts — including directly from ESPN — it sounds like "Inside the NBA" will continue to run largely as is. In its announcement about acquiring the rights to the show, ESPN made clear that "Inside the NBA" will continue to be produced by TNT Sports.
"TNT Sports will continue to independently produce Inside the NBA from its Atlanta-based studios over the term of the agreement," ESPN's announcement from November reads.
Advertisement
It will feature the same cast and production team and will continue to be produced out of Turner's Studio J in Atlanta. ESPN and ABC will simply license the show for broadcast on its own networks.
But surely ESPN will want to put its own fingerprints on the show, right? There's no way the "worldwide leader" won't want to tinker with it, at least a little bit.
The Athletic's media reporter Andrew Marchand, who's covered the show's transition from TNT to ESPN, doesn't think so. Here's what he told "The Dan Patrick Show" in November.
"I don't think that's gonna happen," Marchand said of ESPN tinkering with the show.
Advertisement
Marchand went on to cite other high-profile acquisitions under Pitaro like "The Pat McAfee Show" that runs largely untouched by ESPN management, and the network's decision to allow Peyton Manning to broadcast his "Monday Night Football" "ManningCast" out of his garage in Denver.
"I think that's the Pitaro playbook," Marchand continued. "If I'm a producer there, I'm kind of saying, if I'm in Bristol, 'what are we doing? We can't get this right. The big boss keeps outsourcing our programming. That's not a good sign.'
"But it's not the same Bristol. ... [Pitaro's] going out and getting what he wants, especially in terms of the on-air people."
Barkley, Johnson, Smith, O'Neal reportedly all on board
The people Pitaro wanted, in this instance, were Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal. And he's got them.
Johnson was reportedly staying at TNT whether or not "Inside the NBA" continued. Barkley was signed to a long-term deal with TNT before the ESPN acquisition and has since reaffirmed his commitment to the network.
Advertisement
O'Neal has signed a new deal to remain with the network since ESPN licensed the show. And Smith is expected to remain on the show on a multiyear deal, according to CNBC.
So what will be different?
When exactly and for how long "Inside the NBA" will air isn't entirely clear. But some important details are, including the "Inside the NBA" crew covering the NBA Finals for the first time.
ESPN provided a framework of a schedule in its acquisition announcement:
"The legendary 'Inside the NBA' studio team will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN's pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, conference finals, NBA playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events."
ESPN also announced that its in-house studio shows "NBA Countdown" and "NBA Today" will continue to air. So "Inside the NBA" isn't fully replacing ESPN's NBA studio coverage.
Advertisement
So does this mean that "Inside the NBA" won't air before Christmas outside of opening week? That wouldn't make much sense given the October start to the NBA's regular season.
It's possible that some of those early-season broadcasts could fall under the umbrella of "other marquee live events" and potentially include the NBA Cup that runs from mid-November through mid-December. But none of that is confirmed as of yet.
Smith recently raised concerns about giving up schedule control to ESPN in an interview with the New Yorker.
"We have the same crew of people doing the show," Smith said. "But the timing: are we a half hour now? Are we forty-five minutes? Fifteen minutes?
"Those are the things that you can control when you own your I.P. But we don't. That was the only part that made me uncomfortable and disheartened, because I felt that the four of us should have went into ABC to negotiate that deal. I'm not saying that our executives don't know how to do that, but we are the I.P. now."
So not everything will remain the same. And there will inevitably be some unexpected surprises given all the new moving parts.
But the big picture is clear. We're not mourning the end of "Inside the NBA" this week with the conclusion of the Eastern Conference finals. We're just welcoming a new chapter. And that's great news for those of us who love the NBA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wall Street Journal
12 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
10-Year Treasury Yield Heads Toward Largest Decline Since April 14
1316 ET — The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is headed toward its biggest one-day decline since April 14 after a pair of lackluster reports on the U.S. economy. Yields, which fall when bond prices rise, began sliding early in the session after the ADP's National Employment report showed that 37,000 jobs were created in May, the slowest pace of private-sector hiring in two years. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal projected hiring would increase by 110,000 new jobs. Yields extended their decline after an ISM services report, which suggested that activity among service firms fell unexpectedly in May. The survey's index for new orders and inventories both sank into contraction, with respondents reporting difficulty in planning due to uncertain tariff policies. The 10-year yield recently traded near 4.36%, down from 4.46% Tuesday. ( 0841 ET – An ominous sign from the U.S. labor market triggers a rush to Treasury bonds, driving yields sharply lower. ADP says only 37,000 jobs were created by private employers in May, the lowest since March 2023. Economists surveyed by WSJ expected 110,000. ADP revises the April figure to 60,000 from 62,000 and says hiring is losing momentum while pay growth remained at robust levels. The report may reflect businesses reluctance to hire amid tariffs uncertainty. Trump cites the report to call on the Fed to lower rates. Friday, payrolls are expected to slow a little from April. The 10-year is at 4.419% and the two-year at 3.931%. ( @ptrevisani)
Fox News
12 minutes ago
- Fox News
Rep. Alford to introduce congressional stock trading ban mirroring Senate's 'PELOSI Act'
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., on Wednesday will introduce legislation that would ban congressional stock trading, serving as the House companion bill to Sen. Josh Hawley's, R-Mo., "PELOSI Act" in the Senate. Alford's proposed bill would ban lawmakers and their spouses from holding, purchasing or selling individual stocks while in office, but it allows investments in diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds or U.S. Treasury bonds. If passed, current lawmakers would have 180 days to comply with the legislation. Likewise, newly elected lawmakers must achieve compliance within 180 days of entering office. "As public servants, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard and avoid the mere appearance of corruption," Alford said in a statement. "Unfortunately, too many members of Congress are engaging in suspicious stock trades based on non-public information to enrich themselves." "These gross violations of the public trust make clear: we must finally take action to ban members and their spouses from owning or selling individual stocks," he added. Under the proposed legislation, lawmakers who continue to make wrongful transactions would be required to hand over any profits they made to the U.S. Treasury Department. The House or Senate ethics committees could also impose a fine on such lawmakers amounting to 10% of each wrongful transaction. House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed a stock trading ban on Wednesday, saying "a few bad actors" have ruined Americans' trust in lawmakers on the issue. "You want me to tell you my honest opinion on that? I'm in favor of that, because I don't think we should have any appearance of impropriety here," he told reporters during a press conference. President Donald Trump himself endorsed the same ban for members of Congress in an interview with Time magazine last month. "I watched Nancy Pelosi get rich through insider information, and I would be okay with it. If they send that to me, I would do it," he said of a trading ban. "You'll sign it?" the reporter pressed. "Absolutely," Trump responded. Democrats in the House of Representatives have also expressed support for a ban, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., throwing his weight behind the proposal last week.
CNET
13 minutes ago
- CNET
EcoFlow Has Slashed Prices by Up to 55% Ahead of Father's Day
If you enjoy summer travel, outdoor adventures, or live in an area where the weather can disrupt the power supply, a portable power station or power bank is the perfect way to ensure your devices stay charged. Today's power stations and power banks are more compact and lightweight than ever, making them even easier to transport for almost everyone. Right now, EcoFlow is offering multiple deals that can help you save on various devices, with savings of up to 55% when you purchase directly from their website. Amazon also has several EcoFlow deals, just be aware that their offers might vary. EcoFlow's disaster preparedness deals are live until June 8 and include bundles that can power larger appliances and even medical devices for a long time, as well as solar panels to charge the included power station. The EcoFlow Delta 3 bundle features the power station and a 220W solar panel, all for $999. If only the power station is needed, you can get it for just $699 and save $100 over its original asking price. Other bundle options include the EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station and a 500-watt solar panel for $1,499, a total of $1,200 in savings. This power station has a 6144Wh capacity that can power devices inside your home as needed. It's also built to efficiently store solar energy that the panel converts to stay charged even in the most trying conditions. EcoFlow has also partnered with Costco to offer the River 3 Plus combo, which includes two power banks, for just $279. The portable power station has a 286Wh capacity suitable for camping needs, and the bundle comes with a 15W wireless power bank and a 30W cable power bank. EcoFlow is also running a Father's Day and summer travel sale from June 9 until June 15. We'll keep you updated when the deals are live for more opportunities to save. To take better advantage of these deals, check out our article that explains how to choose the best portable power station for your needs. Why this deal matters EcoFlow is behind some of our favorite portable power stations, and their solar panels only add value -- ensuring that you can keep them charged, even when there's no outlet. The brand is offering several deals via its own website, in partnership with Costco, and through its official Amazon storefront. Keep in mind that some deals expire on June 8, and others start on June 9 and end on June 15 if you purchase through EcoFlow's website. Still, now is the perfect opportunity to purchase a portable power station, as there are options for many budgets.
