It’s rare that a pregame, halftime or postgame show can be as entertaining as an exciting basketball game, but that’s often the case on TNT.
What is normally a time for fans to grab a bite to eat, run to the bathroom or just take a 15-minute nap has become a highly-watched television show. Congratulations to Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith for becoming the world’s favorite NBA show.
But enjoy it while it lasts. “Inside the NBA” is coming to an end because TNT lost its license with the NBA. Warner Bros. tried to match Amazon Prime Video’s offer, but the NBA announced on July 24 that it turned it down in order to participate in a “long-term agreement with Amazon.”
When will be the last time the quartet will appear on “Inside the NBA”? Below, Jugo Mobile has the answer and more.
When does ‘Inside the NBA’ end?
Even though “Inside the NBA” is coming to an end, fans will have one more season to enjoy the show. The current television deal ends after the 2024-25 season.
ESPN and ABC hold the exclusive rights to broadcast the NBA Finals, so TNT’s coverage will end after the 2025 conference finals.
If the format remains the same, ESPN/ABC and TNT will each cover one conference finals series. ESPN/ABC had the Eastern Conference finals, while TNT will have the Western Conference finals for the 2024 playoffs.
The NBA said in a statement that it looks forward to “another season of NBA on TNT.”
What year did ‘Inside the NBA’ start?
Inside the NBA has been on the air for more than three decades. The show began during the 1989-90 NBA season.
Johnson joined TNT’s “Inside the NBA” program in 1990 and has been with the organization ever since. He hosts pregame, postgame and halftime shows for Turner Sports’ coverage of the NBA, MLB and college basketball.
Smith was the next to join in 1998, after retiring from the NBA. Barkley joined the team in 2000. It wasn’t another decade until O’Neal joined the cast in 2011, solidifying the quartet of the current show.
The best moments from ‘Inside the NBA’
O’Neal, Barkley, Johnson and Smith have kept fans entertained even in the ugliest of losses.
Here are some of the crew’s best moments together:
I’m very heartbroken that we’re going to lose Inside the NBA. My favorite segment. Charles Barkley getting cooked will always be my favorite. image.twitter.com/1el6ICq21M
— ⚔️ (@youthsaintlrent) May 22, 2024
Losing “Inside the NBA” is inevitable now, and that sucks, but the TNT team, which knows its fate despite having a full season ahead of it (a strange situation to be in), will surely end up the best yet. Intentionally or not, as always. photo.twitter.com/zgZ5RCkVj3
—Tim Ryan? (@TheSportsHernia) May 22, 2024
Truly the end of an era, man ? he will be missed within the NBA https://t.co/NsdbyPJ3XK image.twitter.com/JemS8HOEAa
— A ✩ (@adryanashton) May 22, 2024
The world will be a worse place without Inside The NBA ?
— the Sports ON Tap (@thesportsontap) May 22, 2024
Rest in peace within the NBA image.twitter.com/FE6PKugNN1
— Miles (@mtvsthewrld_) May 22, 2024
