ESPN will start to license “Inside The NBA” from TNT starting with the 2025-26 NBA season with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson anticipated to retain full editorial management. Sources inform FrontOfficeSports ESPN has “zero plans to alter the long-lasting present’s DNA.”
“Among the hypothesis’s simply nuts,” mentioned one supply. “ESPN has wished Barkley and this present for 20 years. Now that they’ve acquired it, why would they modify it?”
There will probably be an intensive postgame present with ESPN intending to permit it run so long as it does on TNT. “Inside The NBA” will lead ESPN’s pregame and halftime programming for ABC/ESPN’s greatest occasions together with the NBA Finals, Convention Finals, and NBA playoffs. They can even seem on opening week, Christmas Day and all ABC video games after January 1st. Whereas “NBA Countdown” will live on, will probably be second-string.
Barkley mentioned this week that he solely expects to work two of the seven seasons remaining on his 10-year, $210 million contract.
