The legendary and lovable quartet that comprised TNT’s “Inside the “NBA” — Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson — is probably done forever.
According to reports, NBC outbid TNT for the right to broadcast the NBA games on their network, thereby likely ending the reign of the universally beloved team of sports analysts at TNT.
Barkley, in particular, is deeply concerned about the future of professional basketball on TNT. According to The Ringer, David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT’s parent company, has said that the network does not “have to have the NBA.”
Barkley was queried about the situation when he appeared on ESPN Radio.
“Am I concerned? 100 percent,” Barkley told ESPN. “We have zero idea what’s going to happen. We might lose [the media rights deal]. I feel so bad for the people I work with. It is brutal. It is flat out brutal. Everyone is scared to death.”
Charles Barkley on TNT's future with the @NBA
"I am concerned…100%"
Full interview: https://t.co/MqIrVh1020@waddleandsilvy @twaddle87 @tyleraki_ @Jeff_Meller pic.twitter.com/yx3zDJ6P0q
— ESPN 1000 (@ESPN1000) May 14, 2024
“This is the first time during the exclusive window that we did not re-sign in advance,” added Barkley. “I will tell you this. It’s very stressful for the people I work with. We might lose it. It’s 50-50 if we lose our part to NBC.”
Well, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, the end of the NBA on TNT era is fast approaching. “It’s a wrap,” he said.
40 Responses
I probably won’t watch what NBC will be offering as much as I did on TNT.
U r 100% correct! And, in recent years w/the changes in TNT’s regular programming I mostly turned to TNT to watch the NBA. I LOVE the trio on TNT! I have them scheduled on my DVR. I hope they come to their senses before it’s too late.
I agree, I definitely won’t be watching it either.
Facts
If they cancel TNT WITH CHARLES AND ERNIE AND THEY OTHER GUYS ITS A RAP I’VE BEEN TUNING IN FOR OVER 10 YEARS . AND I Guaranteed I won’t Watch anymore
I know i won’t. Even though you’ll probably see the whole team besides Ernie on NBC still won’t be the same
I second that motion. I enjoyed watching the TNT crew.
I won’t watch the NBC SHOW.
I will be very sad if Inside the NBA, is gone.
I love that show, as do millions of others.
Please try to do something to keep it on the air.
Love all you guys.
And we love you Nancy
All great things at some point end. I hope Ernie, Charles, Kenny and Shaq will team up for some other special project. Will miss them together.
To have a sure ratings winner, they better bring those 4 to NBC…and not some lame asses nobody wants to hear from.
They’ll replace them Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki!!!! Stay tuned…
Exactly! 💯
I totally agree with you. Watching first take the other day and Paul Pierce came out with the “N” Word. Plus he acted like he was high. This is gonna be interesting going foward.
How is Paul Pierce even on the show?
He was fired from ESPN.
If you want any good ratings about pro basketball you will keep the group together no matter what because that what the nba nation turn in to to watch. The greatest 4 guys that ever did it.
Yeah because people watch their beloved team, for the halftime show.????? wtf
I am going to miss Ernie Kenny shaq Charles there is no other broadcast like it it is the best.
There will not be another booth like Ernie Kenny shaq charles. it is the best.
I will not be watching any more,those guys make it so funny and enjoyable,thank u guys wherever you go we’ll be watching
A big shout out to Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and Chuck. This group of individuals have always great chemistry together.
My Heart felt condolences to the behind the camera staff that put the show nd props together. It was a fun run with the four of them together very entertaining. Well worth the late nights.. wishing em good luck all job well done! Good night
Terrifying if they have to go. I can pretty bet that any new team will be a disaster 😉
It very sad to see this end this way it’s always about money never on the good great people you have doing this show I grew up watching the show I will not watch it on nbchave them out a bunch of nobody’s doing the show I just don’t understand why they don’t keep the same guys there great they made the show sad day in NBA
TNT / That’s the only reason I watch the NBA to listen about what the 4 gentlemen have to say. Wake-up NBC. Stop that Corp. America approach give a damn about poor people livelihood it’s the only thing that makes me smile 😃 at night.
This is horrible news, that broadcasting team is the best ever. I will not watch any other coverage team.
Always want to get rid of something that’s been clicking for year’s. When everybody working together they can’t stand too see them getting along. Makes me sick to my stomach.
Ernie, Charles , Kenny, and Shaq are the greatest NBA quartet to grace TNT with their with their wit and humor. I will miss them. They are so funny especially Shaq with his Shaq tin a fool.
I won’t watch the NBA Pre/Post game show on NBC!! Nothing compares to the TNT broadcast, not even ESPN!!! It’s unfortunate but I’m sure there will be a lot less viewers watching NBC!!! 🤦🏾♂️
How did TNT allow this to happen Inside the NBA with Shaq Ernie Kenny Charles were the recipients of 4 Emmys their chemistry on TNT is no match for for any analysts to adhere to. I won’t be watching NBA on NBC because that network has some of the borest analysts around. i.e. Chris Collingsworth(football) his voice is irritating. NBC will certainly have poor rating pertaining to people watching NBA games and what about lost jobs on TNT.
It will never be there same if it’s not omn TNT greatest panel of commentators and great telecast
Every thing in the universe evolves and changes, I am sure that Shack, Kenny, Charles and Ernie will be ok. We do not own the television networks (TNT or NBC). We have no controll over how they want to opporate .
The only way I watch the NBA games is on TNT when Inside the NBA does the lead-in.
I love the relationships between the men on the panel especially between Shaq and Charles Barkley. Ernie Johnson, as a true gentleman I feel the NBA will lose a lot of fans if this happens.
They know basketball, this country loves basketball-making mistake to quit the Fab Four. NBC wants the numbers then keep the group on. We even watch the repeats of their programs.
To begin I love the music leading up to the show that tells me it’s time for the NBA playoffs I can’t imagine not seen those 4 guys
Me too. I stay up for their half time comments and their end of game review before calling it a night. Everybody always trying change something not broken, sad.
I still won’t be subscribing to Peacock because I haven’t already and this isnt going to move the needle for me.
The games sometimes were not so great , but Erni, Kenny Shaw and Chuck were must see TV for me. There were times I didn’t watch the games but I made sure to catch their show. It will be a difficult task to replace them, and perhaps it can’t be done.
The games sometimes were not so great , but Ernie Kenny Shaq and Chuck were must see TV for me. There were times I didn’t watch the games but I made sure to catch their show. It will be a difficult task to replace them, and perhaps it can’t be done.