Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has reportedly agreed to a lucrative new deal with TNT. The deal will ensure his continued presence on the iconic “Inside the NBA” as the show prepares to transition to ESPN next season.
According to Front Office Sports, O’Neal’s new long-term contract will pay him $15 million annually. The exact length of the deal has not been disclosed, but this agreement marks a significant step toward keeping the beloved studio team together despite TNT losing its NBA broadcast rights.
Keeping ‘Inside the NBA’ alive
With TNT set to part ways with the NBA after this season, fans feared the end of “Inside the NBA,” a show that has become a staple of basketball culture for decades.
The chemistry between O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and host Ernie Johnson has made it one of the most acclaimed sports studio shows ever. The show blends expert analysis with humor and personality-driven banter.
However, in a surprising turn, ESPN agreed with TNT to license the show, with Turner Sports continuing to produce it. This deal means “Inside the NBA” will remain intact and air on ESPN and ABC, preserving its unique format and beloved cast.
What about the rest of the team?
O’Neal isn’t the only key figure securing his future with the show. Charles Barkley previously committed to TNT under a 10-year, $21 million-per-year contract signed in 2022. Despite reported interest from Amazon and NBC, Barkley publicly affirmed his loyalty to Turner Sports.
“I’m informing NBC that I will not accept their offer,” Barkley stated on The Steam Room podcast with Ernie Johnson. “I’m gonna cancel future meetings with Amazon. … My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports.”
Meanwhile, Kenny Smith is also expected to sign a long-term extension with TNT, while Johnson—who has been the face of the show for decades—is likely to remain onboard.
A new era for ‘Inside the NBA‘
With the NBA’s new media deal shifting rights to Amazon, NBC, and ESPN for the next 11 seasons, TNT’s departure from live game coverage marks the end of an era. However, the continued existence of “Inside the NBA” on a different network ensures that one of basketball’s most iconic programs will live on.
For fans, this means the same mix of in-depth analysis, unfiltered debates, and comedic moments will remain, just under a new broadcasting home. And with Shaq, Barkley, Smith, and Johnson are expected to stay so that the transition may feel less like a goodbye and more like a fresh start.
