NBA: “Inside the NBA” moves to ESPN and ABC – Shaquille O’Neal’s future unclear

The NBA announced Monday that the agreement is part of a comprehensive deal between TNT Sports, ESPN and the league. This will keep the show with its previous cast – Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. TNT Sports will continue to produce “Inside the NBA” from its studios in Atlanta, while the show will air on ESPN and ABC during high-profile events such as the NBA Finals, Conference Finals and other top games.

The agreement marks the start of an 11-year media rights agreement between the NBA and ESPN beginning in the 2025-26 season. At the same time, TNT Sports will no longer broadcast NBA games in the United States, but retains rights to games in other countries, including Poland, Denmark and Latin America. The agreement also includes Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports, receiving global rights to NBA content on platforms such as Bleacher Report and House of Highlights without having to pay additional fees.

However, one potential issue concerns Shaquille O’Neal’s future. His contract with Warner Bros. Discovery expires on July 1, 2025, and it is still unclear whether he will remain a part of the show. O’Neal, whose contract covers only the NBA, reportedly expressed frustration that the new deal is being publicly celebrated even though his own contract situation remains unclear. Unlike his co-hosts, who also work on other projects with the company, O’Neal’s involvement is currently limited to “Inside the NBA.”

The show, which has been running since 1989 and has won a total of 21 Sports Emmys, is considered one of the most influential programs in sports television. “Inside the NBA” will continue to play a key role in promoting NBA content across multiple platforms under the new agreement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. However, O’Neal’s future remains one of the central questions for the upcoming season.