ESPN will begin to license “Inside The NBA” from TNT beginning with the 2025-26 NBA season with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson expected to retain full editorial control. Sources tell FrontOfficeSports ESPN has “zero plans to change the iconic show’s DNA.”
“Some of the speculation’s just nuts,” said one source. “ESPN has wanted Barkley and this show for 20 years. Now that they’ve got it, why would they change it?”
There will be an extensive postgame show with ESPN intending to allow it run as long as it does on TNT. “Inside The NBA” will lead ESPN’s pregame and halftime programming for ABC/ESPN’s biggest events including the NBA Finals, Conference Finals, and NBA playoffs. They will also appear on opening week, Christmas Day and all ABC games after January 1st. While “NBA Countdown” will continue to exist, it will be second-string.
Barkley said this week that he only expects to work two of the seven seasons remaining on his 10-year, $210 million contract.
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