As a sports enthusiast with decades of watching and analyzing basketball under my belt, I must say that the potential end of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” is bittersweet news. On one hand, it marks the conclusion of an era filled with memorable moments, iconic banter, and unparalleled insight from the show’s quartet of hosts. On the other hand, it opens up a world of possibilities for these legends, especially the one and only Shaquille O’Neal.
Fans of sports may be entering a new epoch in talk shows – one without TNT’s Inside the NBA, which seems to be approaching its cancellation. The show could end as soon as summer 2025, as its network’s parent company has lost the rights to the basketball league it is named after. This has sparked discussions about what might happen next for the quartet of hosts. Meanwhile, the future of longtime host Shaquille O’Neal on TV remains uncertain. Recently, an insider has shared their thoughts on this topic.
As a diehard fan, I can tell you that when Shaquille O’Neal, the 52-year-old former Los Angeles Laker, stepped onto the set of Inside the NBA in 2011 after hanging up his basketball shoes, he didn’t just join the show – he became an integral part of it, both figuratively and literally. Beyond his duties on this long-running sports talk show, Shaq has ventured into various other media roles, making him a familiar face in the entertainment industry. That’s why Sports agent Nate Jones from Goodwin Sports thinks that if Shaq ever becomes a TV free agent, he’ll be highly sought after.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are like modern-day pop icons, recognized and adored by people from all walks of life – from the youngest gamers to grandmothers. In today’s fragmented social media landscape, it’s tough for sports stars to achieve their level of fame and influence. That makes them invaluable to sports broadcasters and their brand partners because they can attract a wide audience. Since Shaquille is still nearly a decade younger than Charles, he might have more time left as a sports personality at this stage, given his youthful energy and appeal.
Nate Jones accurately hit the mark when he made those remarks to The New York Post. Shaquille O’Neal stands out among many retired athletes for maintaining a strong presence in sports and making significant strides in TV or film, much like Charles Barkley, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Peyton Manning. It could be said that Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is following a similar path to these well-known figures.
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Approximately a month away, Shaq is poised for a self-immolation incident. Charles Barkley clarifies the reasons behind Shaquille O’Neal’s initial struggles on Inside The NBA.
Given Shaq’s extensive career in basketball, it’s clear that many companies might be interested in hiring him if Inside the NBA were to end. Ryan Glasspiegel of The Post believes that Shaq, who calls himself the greatest athlete and rapper, would excel on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. While ESPN seems like a suitable choice, there are rumors that Shaq might stay with TNT Sports if they lose their professional basketball rights. This could potentially allow Shaq to commentate on college basketball or even golf.
If the Orlando Magic’s legendary player decides not to relinquish his basketball career if his rights aren’t secured, he will follow in Charles Barkley’s footsteps, who rescinded his retirement announcement for a fresh deal with TNT Sports. Barkley has since shared his reasons for returning to work, stating that he did so to preserve jobs. He reportedly turned down $100 million in the process and found the experience “humbling.”
It’s quite unusual to imagine Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley appearing together on a show other than “Inside the NBA.” Throughout the series, the entertaining antics of Chuck and Shaq have endeared them to fans and significantly boosted its popularity. They deliver exceptional commentary alongside co-hosts Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith. While it’s not ideal for this dynamic quartet to part ways, spectators can take comfort in the fact that Shaq is expected to continue appearing on screens in some capacity or another.
The NBA Inside program is set to come back this autumn during basketball’s upcoming season, potentially marking its final hurrah. Until then, don’t miss Shaquille O’Neal’s latest game show, titled Lucky 13, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC as part of the 2024 TV lineup. You can also catch episodes online with a Hulu subscription.
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2024-09-01 03:37