As a long-time fan of Inside the NBA, I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and excitement following the recent news that TNT’s beloved sports talk show will reportedly be renewed for another deal. For months, there have been fears that the program might be cancelled due to business hurdles linked to contract negotiations for the broadcast rights to the NBA. This situation has left fans like me on edge and advocating for the series in any way we can.
Over the past few months, there have been concerns that TNT’s popular sports talk show, “Inside the NBA,” may be cancelled after the 2024-2025 season due to contract negotiations for broadcast rights. These worries have intensified recently, with co-host Charles Barkley making controversial statements. However, the show has received some positive updates, and a clip of the team reminiscing about Ernie Johnson’s cancer diagnosis has left me feeling emotional.
What’s Going On With The Efforts To Keep Inside The NBA On The Air?
Approximately eight months ago, there were rumors that the NBA was considering three different broadcast deals for its rights from ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC. It seems that Amazon made an impressive bid. Initially, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which manages TNT Sports, wasn’t financially prepared to counter any offer to preserve their share. However, in recent news, WBD declared they would now equal Amazon’s $20 billion deal, equating to approximately $1.8 billion annually. In response, TNT Sports, without mentioning Amazon specifically, released a statement:
To maintain our long-standing collaboration, we made sure to put forth robust bids during both exclusive and open negotiations, acting in good faith towards a mutually beneficial deal for us both. Unfortunately, we received notice from the league that they planned to accept other proposals for the games within our existing contract. Consequently, we’re left with no choice but to adhere to the matching rights provision, an essential component of our current agreement and the rights we have already paid for. After careful consideration, we have matched one of those offers and submitted our matching documents to the league today. We eagerly await the NBA’s execution of our revised contract.
As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you all. Contrary to previous reports suggesting that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) backed out of negotiations due to the expensive price tag from the NBA, recent updates from The Hollywood Reporter reveal that WBD has received a letter of credit and is now capable of covering the payment. However, there are still ongoing discussions as an NBA spokesperson mentioned that the league is “in the process of reviewing” the proposal. Regardless, this major development brings us one step closer to Inside becoming a reality, and fans are sure to be elated by this progress.
Another Viral Inside The NBA Clip Is Making The Rounds, And It’s Very Sweet
More on Inside the NBA
I’ve spent decades in the fast-paced world of professional basketball, and I can tell you from my own experience that losing, especially in the NBA, is no small feat. It’s not about me, not about Ernie or Kenny, not even about Shaq. Each of us has put our hearts and souls into our games, giving it our all on the court. But the stakes are high, and the pressure to win is immense.
Fans have been expressing their love for “Inside the NBA” on social media as the show’s future remains uncertain. They share amusing clips of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as classic moments from the series which debuted in 1989. The latest clip that’s going viral is from the official account of the show on X, featuring a heartwarming conversation between Ernie Johnson and Barkley (who plans to retire in 2024) about Johnson’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. Watch the video below for their emotional and humorous exchange.
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2024-07-24 21:07