On Saturday, news broke that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and ESPN have reached an agreement that will see WBD continue to produce the iconic studio show “Inside the NBA.” The popular show, featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, will be licensed to ESPN starting in the 2025-26 season. This new arrangement comes as TNT, the original home of the show, will no longer air NBA games after this season, although “Inside the NBA” will remain a WBD property.
The deal represents a significant shift in the landscape of NBA broadcasting, as “Inside the NBA” has been a staple of TNT’s coverage for years. Fans of the show have been reassured that the beloved cast will remain intact, with WBD continuing to produce the show even as it transitions to airing on ESPN. However, there is one major complication that has emerged regarding the future of the cast.
Sources indicate that Shaquille O’Neal’s contract with WBD is set to expire on July 1, 2025—leaving uncertainty about his involvement in the show after this season. O’Neal’s contract situation is different from that of his fellow castmates, as Johnson, Barkley, and Smith all have longer-term deals with WBD.
The trio also have obligations to other WBD properties, including coverage of the NCAA tournament, whereas O’Neal’s deal is solely focused on the NBA. This difference has created a unique challenge, as Shaq’s contract is set to run out just as the new arrangement with ESPN comes into play.
While sources say that O’Neal is interested in staying with the show, he is reportedly frustrated with how the situation has been handled. There have been numerous press releases and public congratulations celebrating the continuation of “Inside the NBA” under the new ESPN deal, yet O’Neal is not currently under contract beyond the 2024-25 season.
From Shaq’s perspective, the uncertainty surrounding his future with the show has made it difficult for him to fully commit to the transition, despite his desire to remain a part of the iconic lineup.
Given the complex nature of the deal—where TNT will continue to produce “Inside the NBA” while it airs on ESPN—O’Neal could find himself with several options to consider.
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Should negotiations with WBD fall through, Shaq could explore opportunities with other networks that are joining the NBA’s new media landscape. With Amazon and NBC set to become new NBA broadcast partners next season, O’Neal could look to leverage his star power and take his talents elsewhere. Alternatively, he could negotiate a deal with ESPN directly, in addition to continuing his work with WBD, thus maintaining his role on “Inside the NBA” while expanding his presence within the NBA’s broadcasting ecosystem.
For NBA fans, the hope is that O’Neal ultimately decides to re-sign with WBD and remain a part of the “Inside the NBA” cast.
The chemistry between Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal has made the show a beloved part of NBA culture, known for its mix of humor, insightful analysis, and unfiltered commentary.
Losing one of its key members, particularly someone as charismatic and entertaining as Shaq, would undoubtedly be a significant loss.
With the expiration of O’Neal’s contract looming, there is still time for WBD to negotiate a new deal and ensure that the entire cast remains intact as “Inside the NBA” transitions to its new platform. The upcoming season will be pivotal not just for the NBA on the court, but also for the broadcasting teams that bring the game to fans.
As the league shifts into a new era of media coverage, the hope remains that “Inside the NBA” will continue to bring the same energy, humor, and insight that has made it a fan favorite for decades—ideally with Shaquille O’Neal still in his chair.
For now, NBA fans can only wait and see how the situation plays out. Shaq’s unique contract status leaves a lot of doors open, and while re-signing with WBD seems like the most natural fit, the rapidly changing media landscape means anything is possible.
One thing is clear: whichever path O’Neal chooses, his presence will be in high demand, and his decision will have a significant impact on the future of basketball broadcasting.
