The landscape of NBA broadcasting is set for a significant transformation as a landmark agreement has been announced by the NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN. Starting from the 2025-26 season, the beloved basketball show "Inside the NBA" will expand its reach across additional networks, ensuring that fans worldwide can enjoy its unique blend of sports analysis and entertainment.
At the heart of the agreement is a resolution of a legal dispute between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery. This resolution has paved the way for an unprecedented collaboration among some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting. TNT Sports will continue to independently produce "Inside the NBA" from Atlanta under an extensive 11-year contract, an arrangement that promises stability and consistency for the show's viewers.
Under this new broadcasting deal, fans can look forward to the return of the charismatic "Inside the NBA" hosting quartet: Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Ernie Johnson. This team will remain a central fixture in high-profile NBA events across the networks, maintaining the comedic and insightful dynamic that has made the show a staple for basketball aficionados. As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted, "The opportunity to continue the iconic and Emmy Award-winning 'Inside the NBA' is a huge win for basketball fans everywhere."
The agreement between the NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN introduces new elements to their broadcasting rights. Notably, ESPN has agreed to exchange its exclusive rights to 13 Big 12 football games and 15 Big 12 basketball games each season with TNT Sports starting in 2025. This shift will allow TNT Sports to bolster its sports content offerings, catering to a diverse range of sports enthusiasts.
TNT Sports will also gain the global license to create, produce, and distribute NBA content, a development that promises to elevate the visibility of the league's brand. The NBA intends to feature TNT Sports-produced content on its official website and app, ensuring broad accessibility for fans eager to consume basketball content directly from the source.
Further enhancing the international reach, Warner Bros. Discovery has secured a package of live games to broadcast outside the United States. This strategic move positions Warner Bros. Discovery as a key player in the global sports media landscape, drawing in basketball fans from around the world and presenting the NBA's dynamic games to a broader audience.
ESPN, while part of this comprehensive restructuring, retains its role as a leading outlet for basketball coverage. It will continue to produce "NBA Countdown," ensuring that its viewers continue to receive the high-quality pregame analysis that they have come to expect under the new broadcasting structure.
The careful orchestration of these rights and responsibilities among the NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN signals a new era of collaboration and strategic broadcasting. As the curtains rise on the 2025-26 season, this new agreement is sure to bring a more immersive and expansive NBA experience to fans both in the United States and beyond.