One of the most bittersweet facts of the ongoing NBA season is that it will be the last time ‘Inside the NBA’ will air on TNT! Comprising Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith as hosts, the show has been as important to NBA fans, for more than a decade, as the games themselves. After all, along with providing their analysis before, between, and after each game, the hosts also entertained fans with jokes and pranks.

No one stood out as the ringleader more than Shaq. This may be why even though the future of ‘Inside the NBA’ is still uncertain, the Lakers legend is walking away with a big contract. According to a recent report by Front Office Sports, Shaquille O’Neal has an agreement in place for an enormous long-term deal with TNT Sports. The same is set to pay him over $15 million per year! This agreement would confuse many since Inside the NBA is set to air on ESPN from next season onwards.

Shaq’s contract status was under doubt over the last few days. After TNT lost the rights to air the show, it felt like ‘Inside The NBA’ was seeing its final days. However, in November, it was revealed that TNT would license the show to broadcast on ESPN and ABC from the 2025-26 season onwards. That was ‘Miracle No 1’. ‘Miracle No 2’ would have been retaining all 4 hosts. Then, back in late January, CNBC reported that O’Neal and Smith were on the verge of re-signing with TNT Sports, with O’Neal speculated to sign a five-year contract, while Smith would ink a multiyear deal too.

More than the fans, ‘Inside the NBA’ would mean a lot to the 4 hosts. Despite this, Shaq has now put his availability for the show’s first season on ESPN under doubt. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one. Charles Barkley is also sticking with TNT, despite offers from NBC, Amazon, and ESPN.

In a recent interview with Dan Patrick, when asked whether he would be a part of ESPN’s ‘Inside the NBA’, the former player stated “I haven’t decided yet. I’m listening to NBC and Amazon. I want to know everything that’s on the table for me before I sign in. I love those guys at ESPN and if we end up there, I’m gonna do the best I possibly can.” Meanwhile, Shaq has not even commented publicly about his future. This leaves both his fans and co-hosts in the dark.

Shaquille O’Neal’s new contract clears one doubt over whether the 52-year-old will continue being a part of television broadcasting. Having joined TNT immediately after his NBA retirement, the ‘Big Aristotle’ has been with the network for 14 years, and isn’t going anywhere else now. Even if it comes at the potential expense of the ‘Inside the NBA’ host position. This recent update certainly puts Shaq’s recent comments in a new light.

Shaquille O’Neal’s uncertain future with ‘Inside the NBA’ compelled him to hilariously drop ‘F-Bomb’

The All-Star weekend is set to take over the Bay Area for the next 3 days. Therefore, the ‘Inside the NBA’ hosts traveled to San Francisco beforehand. This allowed them to cover the Golden State Warriors–Houston Rockets matchup while the Warriors were in Houston. During halftime, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley raced each other, in front of a live audience, during the show.

Shaq won the race by reaching the video board in the back of the set first. He dropped a hilarious quip while returning to his seat by saying, “In the words of Marshawn Lynch, I’m tired as s—, America.” As the hosts laughed, the 52-year-old added “We’re getting fired anyway, Ernie, f— it!”

The segment was a reminder of why fans love ‘Inside the NBA’. However, it also indicated that Shaq’s tenure with the show was coming to a close. Having now secured the contract with TNT, was the ‘fired’ remark a reference to not TNT, but ‘Inside the NBA’? Only time will tell.