The NBA has secured a new broadcasting deal with Warner Brothers Discovery, which will see Inside the NBA move to ESPN starting next season. Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's top analyst, expressed his excitement for the shift, calling it "the best thing that could’ve happened" for the network.
As the NBA transitions away from its current broadcasting agreement with TNT, fans were left uncertain about the future of Inside the NBA and its iconic cast. There were growing concerns about whether fans would continue to enjoy the signature comedic and insightful banter of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley.
Inside the NBA's new destination
On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith shared his excitement about the iconic show joining ESPN, recognizing the significance of such a prestigious program joining their roster. “It’s a big deal for ESPN,” Smith said, adding that he’s personally thrilled the show will continue, as he’s close friends with all four analysts. He also praised NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and ESPN President James Pitaro for making the deal happen, ensuring that the beloved show remains on air despite shifting streaming rights.
Stephen A. Smith's Connection with the Inside Crew
Smith emphasized that the deal wouldn’t affect his role at ESPN in any way, noting that he still has plenty of other projects on his plate, including First Take and his YouTube podcast. He also revealed his strong bond with the Inside the NBA crew, sharing personal anecdotes about his long-time relationships with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.
“Doesn’t affect me at all. I’ve got First Take, I’ve got a lot of other things going on. Secondly, here’s the biggest reason why it wouldn’t affect me. All of them are my boys. Ernie Johnson is a phenomenal human being. A great host a great man, I love him to death. Shaquille O’Neal is my brother. Kenny Smith and I go back to my days in junior high school when his brother Vincent Smith used to train me as a basketball player. And then of course there’s the one and only Charles Barkley as well, who I also love dearly," said Smith
Smith continued to express his admiration for each panelist, referring to Johnson as "a phenomenal human being," and his friendship with Shaquille O’Neal as that of brothers. He also highlighted his longstanding connection with Kenny Smith, tracing their friendship back to their junior high days when Smith’s brother trained him as a basketball player.
Inside the NBA's Legacy
Inside the NBA has been a cornerstone of basketball media since its inception in 1989, winning 21 Sports Emmys over the years. Its impact on the sport is immense, and in 2020, the show received the Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The individual panelists have also been recognized for their contributions. Charles Barkley has won 5 Sports Emmys while Ernie Johnson has 6, alongside his induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2023. Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith may not have won Emmys but were nominated alongside their fellow analysts, further emphasizing their value to the show.
“To see that this show, still scheduled to be produced in Atlanta, by the TNT folks and what have you, airing on ESPN and ABC. To know that these brothers are gonna stay together and continue to do the NBA for years to come, I can’t be more happier for them. Because I know it created a lot of chaos when TNT lost its deal with the NBA courtesy of Amazon and others of course. Major major props to Adam Silver and President Jimmy Pitaro of ESPN," smith added.
Shaquille O'Neal’s Contract Situation
Despite the positive developments, Shaquille O'Neal’s contract situation might add an interesting twist. His current deal with TNT is set to expire at the end of the season, making him a key figure in ESPN’s decision-making. O’Neal is a valuable asset to the Inside the NBA team, and ESPN and Disney would be wise to retain him. Given his importance, O’Neal could negotiate a significant payout when the time comes.
For Stephen A. Smith, the arrival of the Inside the NBA crew could bring challenges. As ESPN's top basketball analyst for years, Smith has proven to be an invaluable part of their roster, but the network has been adding new talent, including Shannon Sharpe and Shams Charania. With the Inside the NBA team now joining ESPN, there is the possibility that Smith could lose some of his favor or that ESPN’s basketball coverage may become more crowded.
ESPN's Loved Lineup
One thing is clear: starting next season, ESPN will feature an NBA broadcasting team like no other. With Inside the NBA joining the lineup, along with the established talents of Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and Shams Charania, no network will offer a stronger NBA coverage team.
As the changes to NBA broadcasting take shape, fans can be reassured that their favorite crew will continue to entertain and provide insightful commentary, now on ESPN for the foreseeable future.
