The flagship sports studio show “Inside the NBA” could be nearing its end as TNT’s NBA media rights are on the brink of expiring after the 2024-25 season.
Charles Barkley, a mainstay of the show alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, revealed a potential plan to preserve the beloved program during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
Barkley openly criticized TNT executives for their handling of the ongoing negotiations with the NBA, which he referred to as clownish. Amid these uncertainties, Dan Patrick proposed that Barkley could keep the show alive by shifting it to another network or streaming service under his own production company. Barkley responded positively, noting that the idea had been suggested online as well. “I’ve talked to the guys about everybody signing with my production company, because I have my own production company. I would love to do that if we lose it,” Barkley said.
The discussion also touched on comments from David Zaslav, CEO of TNT’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, who previously stated at a conference that TNT could thrive without the NBA rights—a remark that Barkley speculated might have upset NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Moreover, Barkley has an opt-out clause in his contract allowing him to depart from TNT if the network loses its NBA rights, hinting at the substantial financial implications and opportunities that could arise from such a move.
Should “Inside the NBA” transition to a different platform, the show could potentially undergo significant changes, though the core dynamic that has made it a fan favorite might remain intact.
