The NBA’s recent agreement with Prime Video for the league’s media rights also means that we are going to see the NBA on TNT show for one last season. Those who have followed this program will know how many basketball fans it reached and the multitude of people who love all the members of this team. A show that has made Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley four of the biggest sports broadcasting stars in the world. For many, the NBA will never be the same without these four gracing us with their presence and analysis before and after every game they covered. The iconic ‘Inside the NBA’ show will be no more and people have a lot to say about that.
Shaquille O’Neal pulls a prank on Charles Barkley like a child on live TV
Inside the NBA’s incredible fan base
Regular people and celebrities from all walks of life alike were not just shocked when thy realized what happened, they were also extremely saddened. ‘Inside the NBA‘ has been a staple of sports television for decades for different generations. Grown men today grew up watching these guys and now they will have to say goodbye. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III said what everybody is thinking: “And just like that Inside The NBA on TNT is gone after next season. Gonna miss Shaq, Chuck, Kenny and Ernie together on TNT. The NBA wins with this deal but the fans lose.”
Fans who were more dishearted even stated that this move from the NBA means that the league will lose a lot of viewership. This show started all the way back in 1989 with host Ernie Johnson starting his career on this show back in 1990. Smith joined the team in 1998, Chuck did the same in 2000, and Shaq joined them in 2011. According to the Washington Post, the NBA’s new deal is worth a staggering $76 billion for over 11 years. An offer that TNT Sports claims they matched and deserved to keep the rights. A legal battle is on the horizon but the Turner company seems to have lost the battle.
