After months of back and forth in negotiations, ESPN and the NBA finally came to an agreement that will retain the ‘Inside the NBA’ show despite the end of NBA’s broadcasting deal with Turner Sports. The Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 likely marks the last game the crew of the show will cover for TNT, as the NBA Finals coverage is the exclusive rights of ABC.
Shaquille O’Neal, the renowned NBA legend who also features on the show, got very hyped about their shift to ESPN’s networks. Before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Pacers, O’Neal sent a strong motivational message to the world about the ‘Inside the NBA’ show.
“There’s an old saying: when something passes away, something is reborn. It is the ending for Inside the NBA on TNT, but it is a new beginning for us. I’m glad we’re still together, whatever network we go to. And whatever network we’re coming to, we’re bringing the pain, just letting you know right now. I know everybody is sad, like there ain’t gonna be the show, the show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen. We’re coming, we’re coming to take spots, we’re coming to kick a** and we’re coming to take names, and we’re doing it our way…. All sadness with the end of that show, we’re coming with a whole new show, and we don’t care who in our way. We’re coming to kick a** and take names.”
Charles Barkley responds, asking if he could be Ric Flair and exclaims, “WHOOO!” like the WWE legend.
“Inside the NBA” will begin on ESPN and ABC starting from the 2025-26 NBA season. This marks the show’s transition from TNT to ESPN, a move resulting from a new media rights agreement between the league and the networks. The show will be produced by TNT Sports and distributed by ESPN and ABC.
Charles Barkley Is Moving To ESPN Despite Hating Their NBA Coverage
Barkley has constantly voiced his concerns over ESPN’s coverage of the NBA. He believes they focus too much on big market teams like the Lakers and Warriors. In March 2025, Barkley voiced his disapproval of how ESPN covers the NBA.
“That’s because them fools on the other network, which we’re going to be working for next year, that’s all they talk about.”
“But y’all are idiots because y’all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time.”
“But that’s because you fools on the other network, which we’re gonna become fools next year when we be working on that network, but Oklahoma City and the Cavs been balling for six months.”
Just some instances where Barkley has shown he can differentiate between the professional and the personal. Despite his differences with the network’s coverage plans, Barkley can work within their professional ambit.
