The beloved, Emmy-winning sports show Inside the NBA is set to expand its reach, airing on ESPN and ABC through a new partnership between TNT Sports and the NBA starting with the 2025-26 season. While this move marks a significant shift for the iconic program, it may happen without one of its most famous faces: Charles Barkley.
Known for his bold opinions and comedic presence, Barkley recently revealed on The Dan Patrick Show that he is undecided about whether he’ll follow the show to its new home.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Barkley said when asked if his current contract with Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT’s parent company) would transfer to ESPN. “I’m listening to NBC and Amazon and want to know everything that’s on the table for me before I sign in. I love those guys at ESPN, and if we end up there, I’m gonna do the best I possibly can.”
Barkley expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding his schedule if the move goes forward. “They haven’t even given us any type of schedule whatsoever,” he explained. “I’d be doing myself a disservice not to meet with NBC—which I have—and meet with Amazon—which I have. The No. 1 thing I’ve told everybody is, ‘Can you please give me a damn schedule?’ Because nobody knows anything, Dan. At least with TNT, I always knew, ‘Hey, this is our schedule.’ I want to know how much I’m gonna be working!”
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Longtime broadcaster Dan Patrick, who spent nearly two decades with ESPN, warned Barkley that joining the network could mean a busier workload. “If you end up with the Worldwide Leader, you’ll be working a lot more than you think you’re gonna be working,” Patrick said.
Barkley responded, “I want to know what they’re expecting. Are we gonna have the same schedule? Are we going to have to do ABC, ESPN, and TNT? Because TNT, I think, originally wanted to keep doing something. But I’m not gonna be doing both. I’m not gonna be doing ABC, ESPN, and TNT. That’s not gonna happen.”
In 2022, Barkley reportedly signed a lucrative 10-year, $210 million contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery to remain a cornerstone of Inside the NBA. However, his current agreement could face renegotiation—or even termination—if he decides not to follow the program to ESPN and ABC.
Inside the NBA has long been celebrated for its unique blend of insightful basketball analysis and unfiltered humor, led by the chemistry between Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. Fans are now left wondering whether Barkley’s departure would impact the show’s dynamic as it transitions to its new platforms.
With Barkley exploring offers from NBC and Amazon, his future remains uncertain. One thing is clear: if Barkley chooses to walk away from Inside the NBA, it will mark the end of an era for one of sports broadcasting’s most iconic programs.
