Report: 'Inside the NBA' Done In 2025 As TNT Loses NBA Rights Deal

The NBA is close to finalizing a new media rights deal that will have games exclusively broadcast on ESPN / Disney, Amazon and NBC.

The major shakeup would mean that TNT would lose its NBA rights that it has held in some variation since the 1984-1985 season. Unfortunately for fans, that also means it'd be time to say goodbye to the popular ‘Inside the NBA’ pre and postgame shows that have become extremely popular thanks to Charles Barkley, Shaq, Ernie Johnson and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith. (But let's be honest - mainly because of Chuck and Shaq.)

The new agreement was first reported by Sports Business Journal with contracts currently being finalized, and an announcement is expected at the end of the week. In total, all three networks will combine to pay $7 billion for the broadcast rights, which include the NBA, WNBA, NBA Finals, international rights and more.

It would begin at the start of the 2025-2026 season.

Although final numbers haven't been released, NBCUniversal is believed to have bid around $2.5 billion per year for the NBA rights - which, if so, would be nearly double Warner Bros. Discovery / TNT's current annual $1.2 billion. The new deal is also expected to give NBC a weekly 'Basketball Night in America' Sunday night game modeled after the network's ‘Football Night in America’ program.

‘INSIDE THE NBA’ TO AMAZON PRIME?

The NBA on NBC return has been rumored in recent months, but many on social media are apparently finally coming to the realization that this may be the end of Inside the NBA - long believed to be one of the best sports broadcast crews.

Calls for Amazon to pick up the hilarious, banter-filled show that has allowed Barkley and Shaq to have some absolute gems of hot take moments riddled Twitter this morning. (Ernie Johnson is believed to be staying with Turner Sports despite the NBA loss.)

BATTLE FOR PERSONALITIES

With sports continuing to shift toward streaming platforms, it's clear that the new goal is to try and sign broadcasters and personalities that will entice people to choose their particular coverage. What started with ESPN's ManningCast led to ESPN signing Pat McAfee and, most recently, Jason Kelce. I previously wrote about the Kelce brothers being a hot commodity once Travis retires.

For Amazon, this gives it a perfect opportunity to bring over an adaptation of Inside the NBA in some shape, which would allow fans to continue to hear the Step Brothers movie-like relationship between Shaq and Charles Barkley. 

And if not, at least NBA fans are getting back John Tesh's ‘Roundball Rock’ theme song!