There’s Been ‘Congratulations’ About Inside The NBA Striking ESPN Partnership. The Real Tea Behind Why Shaq Is Allegedly ‘Frustrated’

by

As a dedicated gamer with over two decades of basketball fandom under my belt, I am absolutely thrilled about the news that Inside the NBA has been saved! This show has been a staple in my sports-viewing routine for years, and the camaraderie between Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and the legendary Shaquille O’Neal is unparalleled.

Fans of Inside the NBA can celebrate as it’s been rescued in a groundbreaking agreement between Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. This thrilling news has left fans elated, and even those behind the scenes are sharing their happiness. However, it appears that one individual isn’t quite as happy – series co-host Shaquille O’Neal, with further details emerging about his feelings on this matter.

Over the weekend, it was announced that Inside the NBA, a popular basketball talk show, has been rescued from cancellation. The Wall Street Journal reported on the details, revealing that TNT Sports (owned by WBD) has struck a deal with Disney to license the show to ESPN and ABC, starting with the 2025-2026 NBA season. Although the program will continue to be produced at its Atlanta studio, it will now air during postgame and halftime shows, as well as coverage of the NBA Finals and Conference Finals, among other events.

It’s also intriguing that it seems all the series’ commentators, such as Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, are rumored to be coming back. Although most co-hosts were quiet during the controversy over cancellation, Barkley made some bold statements, admitting that the situation was tough for those who would lose their jobs. In a show of solidarity, Barkley also retracted his retirement plans and extended his contract with TNT.

More on Shaq

I’ve Discovered the Amount Shaq Wagered on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Bout, Yet He Seemed Unbothered as He Spent Time with the YouTuber Casually.

Despite some uncertainty about his professional path in the past, it appears that questions surround Shaq’s future, particularly with regard to his contract with TNT which expires on July 1, 2025. Unlike his peers, Shaq does not engage in other sports coverage for the network, according to reports by Sport Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. This unique aspect of his deal may have contributed to his frustration, as he feels overshadowed by recent Disney news while negotiations for his contract extension remain unresolved.

It’s more positive news than expected as Shaquille O’Neal seems keen on renewing his contract, which means he’ll continue with the show. This is much better than the initial speculation when Inside the NBA was in danger of being canceled. Earlier reports suggested that O’Neal had numerous opportunities if the show ended. While that would have been beneficial for him, it would have been a shame not to see him working alongside his co-hosts of 14 years.

Despite the NBA season ending in 2024-2025, the show “Inside” is still looking forward to airing beyond that point, and it seems it will be around for a while. The broadcast deal between TNT and ABC extends for an impressive 11 years, which means Ernie Johnson and his team can expect to continue gracing our screens for quite some time. From a legal perspective, this contract also serves to alleviate the ongoing legal disputes between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA, as the league had previously taken legal action against them over reported bids for broadcasting rights.

I, for one, am certainly glad that TNT’s popular sports commentary series isn’t going away anytime soon. Of course, I’m also hopeful that all of the specifics regarding contracts will be ironed out sooner rather than later. Inside is definitely a fun show, but it would certainly be weird not having Charles Barkley and Shaq’s joint antics.

Read More

2024-11-19 20:39