TNT to license ‘Inside the NBA’ to ESPN during new NBA media rights deal

TNT won’t air NBA games after the 2024-25 season, but its popular pregame show inside the NBA It will continue to exist thanks to a new licensing agreement between TNT Sports and ESPN.

TNT will produce the show from its studio in Atlanta with the original cast, but it will be televised by ESPN and ABC throughout the NBA regular season and playoffs in exchange for ESPN granting TNT the rights to televise 13 Big 12 football games and Big 15 football games. 12 men’s basketball games each season.

The move caps an 11-year deal between TNT and the NBA that includes global highlight rights for properties like Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, advertising support on NBA networks and the right to televise NBA games in select international markets.

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Warner Bros. Discovery had sued the NBA, alleging that the league did not allow TNT to use matchmaking rights on a live game package after the NBA awarded the NBA media rights package to ESPN, NBC and Amazon. The agreement marks the end of a legal dispute between the NBA and the network.

“The opportunity to continue the iconic and Emmy-winning film inside the NBA “This is a huge win for basketball fans around the world,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “We look forward to building on our long-standing partnership with TNT Sports and working together to promote NBA content across key WBD and NBA platforms.”

inside the NBA Featuring Sixers legend Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. The program has been running since 1989 and has had the same four hosts since 2011. Barkley had previously threatened to retire at the end of the 2024-25 season before signing an extension with TNT Sports to remain with the network. Barkley, O’Neal, Johnson and Smith will remain TNT employees and will be eligible to appear on other TNT programs.