Ever since the future of the famous Inside The NBA TV show has been in doubt, fans, media, athletes, and NBA legends have all expressed their concerns about what could be the end of an era. Next season could very well be the last season basketball fans across the world could see the legendary show.
It has many years of great memories thanks to Chuck (Charles Barkley), Ernie, Kenny, and Shaq along with its many guest appearances.
Charles Barkley’s Take On The Future of Inside The NBA

The Inside The NBA analyst Charles Barkley spoke with New York Times journalist Tania Ganguli on his thoughts on the show’s future. Much to the dismay of Kenny Smith, they conducted the interview in an elevator after the Mavericks and Timberwolves played game 3 in Minnesota.
He spoke on how the show’s uncertainty can affect the staff members involved in the show’s production. Barkley told Ganguli “It’s people’s lives. Not my life. Not Ernie’s life. Not Kenny’s life. Not Shaq’s life. But all the people who work here. We probably have 100 people who do work on the show. They’re real people. I’ve seen their kids born, graduate high school, and go to college.”
The Show’s History

The iconic Inside The NBA show began in 1989, as TNT gained the rights to broadcast NBA Games. Ernie Johnson became the show’s host in 1990. Then, Kenny Smith joined Ernie in 1998, and Barkley joined the duo in 2000. Barkley’s outspoken behavior and unfiltered opinions made him a cornerstone of the show and created many memories throughout the years.
The then trio had a few guest analysts over the years like Magic Johnson, but the true magic of the show came around when Shaq joined the crew in 2011. Chuck (Charles) and Shaq’s chemistry as they would go back and forth with each other made Inside The NBA must see television.
They have had many funny moments. There was the time Barkley and Shaq couldn’t hold their laughter after a sideline reporter, Ros Gold-Onwude, said there was police presence after several Houston Rockets players tried to approach the Los Angeles Clippers locker room after a tense game. Or the time the crew argued when would be the best time to get gas.
The show was also very vocal about serious matters like police brutality and the passing of several NBA legends.
What Will Happen To Inside The NBA Next Season?

A new deal hasn’t been made yet, and Warner Bros might not be able to match NBC’s bid at this time. Next season might be the very last season that fans can see this quartet of analysts together. It’s also likely that the group will remain together but under a new network.
Sports Business Journal reported that the NBA is working on a new media deal between Disney, Amazon, and NBC. ESPN and NBC are offering billion-dollar deals, which pose a threat to Warner Bros’ chances of keeping a long-term deal with the league. It seems like the media juggernaut might not match what the other media companies are willing to offer.
If next season is the show’s final lap, then it’s been one hell of a run. No other NBA show could ever compare to the longevity and authenticity of Inside The NBA. The four analysts have provided players and personalities with a welcoming space to express their basketball opinions while treating them like family.
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