With a chance to lose the right to broadcast NBA-related content, TNT’s Inside the NBA is also at risk of going off-air soon. This prompted several stars to share the significance of the show, including Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Stephen Curry.
TNT’s Inside the NBA has captivated audiences, even in the face of uncertainty surrounding the network’s future NBA broadcasting rights. Hosted by Ernie Johnson and featuring the dynamic trio of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith, the show has set the standard for in-studio sports analysis.
22 Charles Barkley At Event
The show’s unique blend of basketball expertise, entertainment, and unpredictability has made it a staple of the NBA landscape. The cast’s freedom to express themselves without constraints from production meetings has allowed for genuine, authentic reactions and dialogue that viewers have come to love.
Despite the potential for the show to end after the 2024-25 season if TNT loses its NBA rights, the current crew remains uncertain about their future. However, they have emphasized that the show’s special chemistry and style would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.
As the show continues to pile up accolades, including multiple Sports Emmy Awards, NBA fans eagerly await the future of this beloved show. Regardless of the network, Inside the NBA has solidified its place as an entertainment blueprint that has set the bar for sports broadcasting.
Golden State Warriors Star Stephen Curry Shares Thoughts on Inside the NBA
Just like Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Golden State’s Curry has also opened up on the significance of Inside the NBA. In a post shared by Bleacher Report on X, the All-Star guard shares how important the show is to him.
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Just recently, TNT has matched Amazon’s bid for NBA broadcast rights, allowing the network to continue its long-standing partnership with the league. This includes retaining Inside the NBA, which is expected to return in the 2025-26 season if the network succeeds.
The NBA’s interpretation of the “matching rights” provision in the previous deal was believed to give Amazon an advantage, as its Prime Video platform has significantly more global subscribers than WBD’s Max. However, even if TNT doesn’t prevail in a potential lawsuit, the time factor is crucial. Amazon needs to quickly assemble the necessary talent, production, and technology to air the NBA games if it secures the rights, potentially complicating the situation.
Whether TNT succeeds in winning the bid or not, fans will still want Inside the NBA and its hosts to remain the way it is. Curry, and other fans of the show, hope that the current format is retained as the bidding war continues to unfold.
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