Fans share favorite 'Inside the NBA' moments after media rights could end beloved TNT show
The NBA's potential shift from Warner Bros. Discovery has piqued fans' interest, with the Sports Business Journal reporting that formal written contracts with Disney, NBC, and Amazon regarding media rights negotiations are potentially reaching their final stages. These negotiations could reshape the way fans consume NBA content and most notably, could mark the end of a beloved show, "Inside the NBA."
The NBA is possibly going through a major media coverage change as it considers ending its partnership with TNT and joining forces with NBC for the 'B' package coverage. The proposed NBC coverage bid includes a show called 'Basketball Night in America' airing on Sunday nights, two primetime slots each week, and coverage of the conference semifinals and conference final, all estimated at $2.5 billion. It has been reported that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav would need to match this figure to keep the media rights at TNT.
'Inside the NBA presented by KIA' is hosted by Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. The show has been on the air since 1989 and is known for its entertaining and insightful basketball coverage. It has won the hearts of fans with its unique charm.
More: NBA's potential media deals with Disney, Amazon and NBC gaining traction
'Inside the NBA' show's history
Inside the NBA made its debut during the 1989-90 NBA season and had a rotating panel of hosts and analysts, including Craig Sager, Hannah Storm, and Vince Cellini.
In 1990, Ernie Johnson Jr., who transitioned from a sideline reporting role, became the show's full-time host and still holds that position. In 1998, Kenny Smith, a former professional basketball player from 1987 to 1997, joined Johnson as a full-time co-host. After retiring, former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley joined TNT in 2000, and finally, in 2011, TNT added Shaquille O'Neal to the table as a studio analyst.
The show has featured numerous former and current NBA players in the more than 30-year history who have provided insights into the game. The future of the show is still unknown and will most likely remain so until media rights are determined.
The best of 'Inside the NBA' show
There are too many hilarious moments to count in one day, but we did our best to compile the top moments for the "Inside the NBA" show.
Fans share their favorite moments on X, formally known as Twitter.
We cannot lose Inside the NBA, too many great moments like this one pic.twitter.com/zWzgSHgEdk
— Nique-a-Zoid 🎮 (@BigBossDJB) May 14, 2024
If this is it for Inside the NBA, it was a great run. pic.twitter.com/ObsRHSY7Fk
— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) May 15, 2024
if we really lose Inside The NBA we will be exponentially worse as a society for itpic.twitter.com/EpE0urUIqQ
— Dommy Vercetti (@WGGPapaDom) May 14, 2024
Chuck: "I have not been to Minnesota in probably 20 years."
Ant: "Bring ya ass!" 😂 pic.twitter.com/GRJ7iLvinC— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 20, 2024
Shaq wanted 𝐍𝐎 part of Kenny’s analogy 🤣 pic.twitter.com/eKCZQ4QZ5i
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 15, 2024
The world is going to be a worse place without Inside The NBA 😭
pic.twitter.com/wVJVQgyIqW— the Sports ON Tap (@thesportsontap) May 22, 2024
So heartbroken, that we’ll be losing Inside the NBA. My favorite segment. Charles Barkley getting cooked will forever be my favorite. pic.twitter.com/1el6ICq21M
— ⚔️ (@youthsaintlrent) May 22, 2024
What’s the best #InsideTheNBA moment ever? pic.twitter.com/1EH2Zk0AFK
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) May 22, 2024
My only favorite moment of Inside the NBA. Yao Ming made Barkley look like a fool.pic.twitter.com/J81DV3it4X https://t.co/Hh6h7TiNWo
— LuisQ (@LuisQWorks) May 16, 2024
Chuck Roasting Phoenix is an all time inside the nba moment pic.twitter.com/SE91TOZG4C
— Benson (@FuckEmBenson) May 15, 2024
Curious if the end of “Inside The NBA” also means the end of Charles Barkley doing March Madness. If so, it was worth it for this clip alone: pic.twitter.com/MkwXRxacbt
— Nick Cammuso (@npc210) May 22, 2024
If we're still memorializing Inside the NBA, I wanna shout out Shaq's filling up the gas tank bit. Still kills me after all these years pic.twitter.com/mtQ777pODY
— future canon (@futurecanon) May 15, 2024
Inside The NBA is really ending, we lost a generational broadcast pic.twitter.com/rhflzW1fia
— kinoposting (@Kino_Posting) May 22, 2024
Running to the board
Kenny really got a stair lift for the big board 😭 pic.twitter.com/jfccmKDktB
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 16, 2024
RIP Inside The NBA pic.twitter.com/FE6PKugNN1
— Miles (@mtvsthewrld_) May 22, 2024
losing inside the nba would be detrimental to my mental health i fear pic.twitter.com/dqWSkuzVoT
— girobyn d’italia (@robynjournalist) May 15, 2024
Chuck and Draymond Green are too funny
Chuck and Draymond are too funny 😂 pic.twitter.com/XWtQSVe2lH
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 22, 2024
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best 'Inside the NBA' moments as TNT show in danger of ending