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Shaquille O’Neal confirms that Inside the NBA will continue on ESPN with special shows throughout the season, alongside opening night and Christmas broadcasts.
The NBA’s beloved studio crew is still on TV—it’s just shifting gears. ESPN will be licensed Inside the NBA from TNT in a groundbreaking agreement, and fans will be able to see Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith’s iconic banter and basketball analysis for a long time.
The twist? Their regular weekly routine on TNT will be replaced with ESPN’s marquee broadcasts, which will start on opening night and return to cover Christmas Day.’
Upon first glance, the arrangement raised questions: would viewers only get to watch Inside the NBA twice in the early season? Shaquille O’Neal swiftly gave assurance.
“We’re going to be having a special show that we’ll be shooting once or twice a week, so you’ll definitely be seeing us,” Shaq confirmed in recent remarks.
The transition is no longer about absence, but about adjustment following that revelation.
ESPN Licensing Deal and the Changing Landscape
In a bid to streamline NBA media rights for the 2025–26 season, ESPN has made it a priority to bring Inside the NBA to ESPN. ESPN has the opportunity to use the legendary TNT cast, which was once considered the gold standard for sports studio shows, as a result of the league’s evolving broadcast agreements.
The ESPN deal guarantees appearances in two of the season’s most significant nights, the league’s highly anticipated opening tip and the annual Christmas showcase. ESPN is betting that Inside the NBA will enhance the cultural and entertainment value of these marquee events, which have traditionally drawn huge audiences.
The crew’s signature presence, which includes Barkley’s sharp humor, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality, Smith’s player insight, and Johnson’s steady hand, may not be a regular part of the NBA conversation due to their absence from weekly slots.
Shaq’s Statement on the New Specials
Those fears were put to rest by O’Neal’s remarks. The crew is determined to film a new “special show’ once or twice a week beyond ESPN broadcasts. Despite the lack of details about the format and distribution, Shaq’s confirmation indicates that Inside the NBA will not disappear from the public eye.
More flexibility could be offered by the specials, which would allow the team to explore creative segments or address basketball storylines in real-time without being tethered to traditional studio schedules.
The chemistry between Shaq and Barkley, which has made Inside the NBA a cultural staple, will remain unchanged, as both have stated. “We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Shaq emphasized.
“We’re bringing the same fun, the same realness, just in a new way.”
Adjustments Behind the Scenes
The cast has undergone a significant shift as a result of the new schedule. The season’s narrative was impacted by TNT’s Inside the NBA, a weekly ritual for fans, thanks to its mix of analysis and entertainment.
ESPN’s approach will differ, opting for a more selective but potentially more substantial approach, based on nights when the NBA dominates the spotlight.
While Barkley has expressed his disinterest in pilot-style concepts and network tinkering, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith have both embraced the chance to adapt. The crew has expressed their determination to remain united under ESPN’s umbrella in a public way.
Fan Reaction and Expectations
The fan response has been a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Many people are thrilled by the idea of Inside the NBA on ESPN, which is the league’s biggest broadcast package, as it solidifies the show’s influence in the NBA’s new media era. Nevertheless, some are concerned about the loss of the show’s consistency.
Weekly specials would provide equal benefits for both the league and its loyal viewers. If the new format is executed correctly, Inside the NBA will retain its freshness and unpredictability, which has earned it Emmy nominations and a lasting legacy in basketball culture.
Looking Ahead
Opening night marks the start of the 2025–26 season, and everything will be focused on it. Inside the NBA’s broadcast marks a historic change, as the ESPN banner is now being used for the first time, reflecting the changing economics of sports media and the enduring personalities of the show.
Shaq, Barkley, Ernie, and Kenny will not disappear unnoticed, despite Inside the NBA ceasing to air on Thursdays. They are making it a priority to keep their voices at the center of the basketball game as a new era is emerging that merges tradition and innovation.
Landon Buford Landon Buford is a Heavy Sports contributor. I’m a Washington State graduate with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. In the past, I’ve had stops at RESPECT Magazine, The Dallas Observer, USA Today, SI, Forbes, PlayersTV, Vayner Media, and The Hype Magazine. My interest is in Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Tech. More about Landon Buford
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