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New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
‘Inside the NBA' on TNT ends with Eastern Conference finals, but its legacy lives on
The NBA on TNT is no more. Although, thanks to the NBA's latest television rights deal, 'Inside the NBA' will continue on ESPN next season, the show's longtime relationship with TNT is over after the Indiana Pacers won the Eastern Conference finals with a 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6. Advertisement For 35 years, 'Inside the NBA' on TNT was a basketball mainstay for fans, relying on the smooth workings of host Ernie Johnson (host since 1990) to navigate the observations — and personalities — of analysts Kenny Smith (joined in 1998), Charles Barkley (2000) and Shaquille O'Neal (2011). The show collected 21 Sports Emmys over that time and, in 2020, was honored by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Curt Gowdy Media Award, making it the first NBA telecast to earn the honor. 'Our hearts are full of gratitude, not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been,' Kevin Harlan said in his final 'Inside the NBA' on TNT sign-off message. 'It has been an honor. It has been a privilege, and I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.' Kevin Harlan, @ReggieMillerTNT, Stan Van Gundy and @ALaForce sign off from #NBAonTNT for the last time ❤️ — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 1, 2025 After contentious contract negotiations that jeopardized the future of 'Inside the NBA,' given that TNT is not part of the NBA's new 11-year, $76 billion media rights agreement, ESPN reached a landmark licensing deal to broadcast the show on Disney properties. 'Personally and professionally, I've been so elevated by my teammates. For everyone that set the stage before us, and for everyone that will take the torch now, thank you,' Allie LaForce said in her final sign-off message. 'The great thing about live television is that it does live forever, so we will live forever and so will the memories I have with you (all).' GO DEEPER With landmark 'Inside the NBA' trade, ESPN and boss Jimmy Pitaro win big How the ESPN deal will affect the classic show remains to be seen. Part of its appeal is not always knowing what to expect — whether that varies by game, segment or point in conversation. Like most sports shows, there are arguments, but no cast of talent can maintain the energy of well-bonded uncles who just want to discuss basketball and crack a few jokes. The formula has clearly worked, right? The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. Of course, that isn't to say the show's approach is perfect. Some takes age poorly. On occasion, Barkley and O'Neal may mispronounce someone's name or proudly tout their lack of interest in watching bad teams. If you're into analytics-driven content, 'Inside the NBA' is probably not for you. But the show works, and its conclusion from TNT's airwaves closes an impactful chapter in basketball storytelling, no matter your stance on a given hoops take. Advertisement 'Man, I can't believe we get paid to watch basketball,' Barkley said during the show's pregame coverage of Game 5 between the Pacers and Knicks. 'We're the luckiest people in the world — I'm sorry, other than the players.' As 'Inside the NBA' drew closer to parting from Turner Sports, which is home to an incredibly talented production team that has supported the show from Atlanta, there were few spared sentiments from those who have enjoyed its peak moments over the years, including our own Richard Deitsch's masterful profile on the show's legacy. GO DEEPER As 'NBA on TNT' prepares for its finale, an appreciation for its legacy and contribution 'Ernie, can I say something? Yes, it is the end of 'Inside the NBA' on TNT, but it is a new beginning for us,' O'Neal said during the Game 5 coverage. 'I'm glad we're still together on whatever network we go to. And whatever network we're coming to, we're bringing the pain, just letting you know right now. I know everybody's sad. The show is still here, baby. 'You can never kill the Four Horseman. We coming. We coming to take spots. We coming to kick a—. We coming to take names. And we're doing it our way. All that sadness about the old show? We're coming with a brand new show, and we don't care who in our way.' GO DEEPER My front row seat on 'Inside the NBA,' the greatest studio show in sports TV history As O'Neal continued, Smith echoed sentiments about taking names before Barkley asked whether he could 'be Ric Flair.' With The Big Diesel's confirmation, the trio shouted, 'WE DEM BOYZ!' as tip-off neared. 'We coming. Stop the tears,' O'Neal concluded. It's understandable that so much of the focus around the end of TNT's NBA coverage has revolved around its signature show, 'Inside the NBA.' No studio show has had more impact on its sport and I've argued that during its run; it has been as significant to the growth of the NBA as much as any member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Advertisement But watching Indiana's 125-108 win over New York on Saturday night, it's worth a moment to pay homage to TNT's NBA game coverage, which has consistently been excellent over its three decade plus run. It made Thursday nights feel big and close shop with a legacy that includes four lead voices — Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Harlan and Dick Stockton — who all have legitimate credentials to be tagged as the greatest NBA gamecaller of all-time. One of those game callers — Harlan — was on the final call with analysts Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy. (Let the record show the last basket called on TNT Sports was a 3-pointer by Landry Shamet.) He treated his last broadcast as he always did — with professionalism and a big voice for the moments that mattered. Harlan paid tribute to all the voices that worked with him (and came before him) as they closed out an extended version of the game broadcast. (It was nice to see The Athletic's David Aldridge included in that tribute.) He and Eagle will call games next season Amazon Prime Video, who have a big job to match the NBA quality of Turner Sports. NBA viewers will of course move on. Hell, we now live in a world where Netflix airs NFL games on Christmas. But we note here one of the great runs in sports television. Thanks for the memories, TNT. — Richard Deitsch, sports media writer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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.
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers vs Knicks live score updates, highlights, watch Eastern Conference Finals Game 6
The Indiana Pacers are one win away from the NBA Finals. In Game 5, the Pacers lost to the New York Knicks, 111-94. Will Indiana clinch the series in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Follow along for live updates. Dustin Dopirak has the best Pacers coverage. Keep up with IndyStar's Pacers newsletter. We will have highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh. (All games ET; *-if necessary) Game 1, May 21: Pacers 138, Knicks 135, OT Game 2, May 23: Pacers 114, Knicks 109 Game 3, May 25: Knicks 106, Pacers 100 Game 4, May 27: Pacers 130, Knicks 121 Game 5, May 29: Knicks 111, Pacers 94 Game 6, Sat., May 31: at Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT *-Game 7, Mon., June 2: at Knicks, 8 p.m., TNT TV: TNT, with Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy (analysis) and Allie LaForce (sideline reporting) Watch the Eastern Conference Finals on Sling 93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analysis) and Pat Boylan (sideline reporting). Game 5 streaming is on SiriusXM channels 86 and 81 (Knicks feed). via BetMGM Favorite: Pacers by 3.5 points Over/under: 219.5 total points Moneyline: Pacers -175, Knicks +145 ESPN's matchup predictor gives the Pacers a 58.0% chance of winning. Pacers: Tony Bradley (hip) is TBA; Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) is out. Knicks: None
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
As the NBA on TNT prepares for its finale, an appreciation for its legacy and contribution
Nostalgia is a mug's game, especially when it comes to the sports media. Sure, we celebrate beloved broadcasters retiring (shoutout, Hubie Brown) and the famed players they highlighted, but those festivities are short. It's onto the next soon enough in our fast-twitch Max — sorry, HBO Max — times. Focus on the past too long, and you'll be working at a Blockbuster. Advertisement But I'm going to miss TNT's coverage of the NBA — and my time to show gratitude has grown short. The last NBA broadcast on TNT could come at any time, including tonight. My appreciation for TNT's NBA coverage mostly revolves around its signature show, 'Inside The NBA,' and I'll get to that show in a bit. First, I want to note TNT's NBA game coverage, which has consistently been excellent over its 36-year run. TNT made Thursday nights feel big, from how it treated audio to graphics to camera angles. Its legacy includes four lead voices — Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Dick Stockton — who all have legitimate credentials to be tagged as the greatest NBA game caller of all time. Among those who worked as analysts: Hubie Brown, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello. Each of those broadcasters educated you about the game as opposed to screaming it at you. (Think of how good viewers had it with Kerr for the five years he worked at TNT.) There were the transcendent sideline reporters — Cheryl Miller and the late Craig Sager, to name just two —who elevated broadcasts with observations and reporting. You can't detail TNT's basketball story without mentioning the sartorially famous Sager, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014 and returned to the NBA sidelines in 2015 after an 82-day hospital stay. He died at 65 in December 2016. In all my years writing about sports media, Sager was the only person who regularly fielded questions from me on wardrobe. Even when we spoke during his cancer treatment, I'd ask what he planned on coming up with for couture. The answers ranged from orange-and-white-striped linen coats to ostrich shoes. Sager's sideline interviews, especially with the intentionally grumpy Gregg Popovich, helped make TNT's NBA programming unique. The needle that TNT's game coverage threaded was that the crew respected the needs of the traditional NBA fan but also made broadcasts comfortable for a casual fan. The later years of the coverage on the game analyst side were more entertainment-based than informative, but the bar remained high overall. Since this column is offering nostalgia, maybe it's worth providing a short history of how the NBA ended up on TNT: In 1984, the league signed a two-year, $20 million deal (that is not a misprint) with Turner Broadcasting System for an exclusive national cable television package. The deal consisted of 55 regular season and 20 playoff games on Ted Turner's Atlanta television station WTBS, which at the time was available in 37 percent of homes in the United States and growing quickly. Advertisement The parties signed a two-year contract extension in 1987, granting TBS exclusive national cable rights to NBA games through the 1989-90 season. At the time, TBS held the rights to televise 50 regular-season games, 25 playoff games, various parts of the All-Star Game weekend (the Slam Dunk contest, a Legends game and the 3-point long-distance shootout), as well as the NBA Draft and the NBA awards show. In July 1989, Ted Turner announced that NBA games would move to his latest cable television venture, Turner Network Television (TNT), which had just topped a subscriber base of 30 million. TNT's programming then was mostly movies from the film library Turner acquired from MGM Studios in 1986. The future for cable television, to paraphrase Tom Petty, was wide open. 'We in cable have the high ground,' Turner told The New York Times on cable's potential for growth. 'You know they're hurting when they start squealing like pigs.' Of course, in the future, when basketball fans reminisce about the NBA on TNT, what will come first and foremost is the iconic studio show, 'Inside The NBA.' I have written it often but maybe one last time for the road: It is the best studio show in sports television history. The show has impacted multiple generations of basketball fans and players — and I'd argue that during its run, it has been as significant to the growth of the NBA as much as any member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Inside's genius was that it could go anywhere, because it was unrehearsed, unscripted and impactful. They once held a nine-minute discussion (think about that length for a sports studio show) on the nexus of China and the NBA's business interests that was unlike any other sports show that dared address the topic. During that same week, Charles Barkley delivered what made the show a riot. Of then-Hawks rookie small forward Cam Reddish, Barkley said, 'Cam Reddish only had one point. He had one point more than a dead man.' Advertisement One of its most iconic moments came on Jan. 27, 2020, when the show honored the life of Kobe Bryant. But it could be goofy as well, with Kenny Smith's endless racing to the video board and all the Gone Fishin' segments. Yes, it had its 'old men screaming at clouds' segments and Barkley went too far in some instances. But it was so much better than what competitor ESPN had to offer that Disney finally figured out the only way to beat it was to trade for it. 'Inside The NBA' will continue next season, produced for ESPN. Next up for the NBA is NBC (returning from its heyday of the 1990s with brand-new on-air talent) and Amazon Prime Video. (TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, did acquire the rights for NBA games outside the U.S., including in Nordic countries and parts of Latin America, so congrats to Finland.) NBA viewers will adjust quickly. Few under 40 probably know that Fox didn't always air the NFL. Change is constant. Everything ends at some point. So thanks for the memories, TNT. You treated NBA viewers like adults. That's a great epitaph.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal ‘lifting' the mood in New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game 4 with hilarious stunt
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal 'lifting' the mood in New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game 4 with hilarious stunt (Image Source: Getty) The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks played Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night. While the Pacers had a small lead at halftime and stayed ahead through most of the third quarter, the Knicks, however, kept the game close. TNT broadcaster Kevin Harlan showcased the NBA studio team when Shaquille O'Neal was caught on camera, joking around and lifting 'underdog' a crew member. It was a hilarious moment for fans. Fans breakout in laughter over Shaquille O'Neal's hilarious moment The Indiana Pacers led the series 2-1 after winning the first two games in New York. However, the New York Knicks made a solid comeback in Game 3, where they came back from 20 points behind to win. Game 4 was important for both teams to gain control of the series. During the halftime, TNT's announcer Kevin Harlan sent the broadcast to the 'Inside the NBA' studio team for their report. During that moment, Shaquille O'Neal was caught on camera joking around and lifting 'Underdog,' a crew member who helps put together the show. The funny moment added some light humor to a tense and competitive game night between two strong teams fighting for a spot in the NBA Finals. A fan reacted, saying: 'Me calling child protective services seeing Shaq curling a baby.' Another fan reacted and said: 'Sounds like an epic moment, That line captures the fun vibe of Inside the NBA perfectly, Shaq doing some wild mid-show workout antics, probably with the crew egging him on, and Kevin Harlan adding that signature theatrical intensity to the call.' Another fan reacted saying: 'No pain, no no shame in asking for help!' Another fan shared the post and said: 'Once a beast, always a beast.' Another fan said: 'Don't pull a muscle (or 2) Shaq!' Also Read: 'I Lied On National TV': Shaquille O'Neal Finally Reveals Truth Behind His Viral 'Inside The NBA' Bathroom Break Moments like these bring respite to games like NBA, that are super intense, especially when brilliant teams are at loggerheads and performing their very best. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
