Reports: 'Inside the NBA' to move to ESPN, ABC next season

Field Level Media|published: Sun 17th November, 12:57 2024

Former Bucks great Oscar Robertson, left, is interviewed on the TNT pregame show Wednesday by, starting with second from left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. Tnt16p1

The limbo is over for "Inside the NBA."

The studio show, winner of 21 Sports Emmy Awards, will appear on ABC and ESPN after an agreement was reached with Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent of TNT Sports, The Athletic reported.

"Inside the NBA" has been on TNT since the start of the 1989 season.

Per the report, the show's talent will remain. Ernie Johnson is the host, with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal longtime members of the panel. O'Neal intends to sign a contract extension to remain, The Athletic reported.

The show's future was put into question after the NBA announced it has agreed to an 11-year, $76 billion agreement with ESPN/ABC parent Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video beginning next season -- leaving TNT out of the NBA mix domestically after this season. TNT sued the NBA for breach of contract.

Under the agreement, TNT Sports will be able to air regular-season and playoff games outside the United States. TNT also will continue to produce "Inside the NBA," per The Athletic.

USA Today reported that as part of the agreement, Warner Bros. Discovery will receive the rights to televise some Big 12 football and basketball games that belonged to ESPN.

--Field Level Media