Enjoy while it lasts because Inside The NBA’s days on TNT are numbered… Yes, after this season ends, you’ll no longer be able to enjoy your beloved show on TNT. But don’t worry. Unlike what many anticipated, the iconic panel will continue to entertain you, just on a different platform. As a result of the settlement of a months-long lawsuit between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inside The NBA will shift to ABC and ESPN after the expiration of the NBA’s media rights deal. TNT is making a massive profit with this sacrifice.

Well, TNT Sports will reportedly receive global rights outside America for House of Highlights, Bleacher Report, and Inside The NBA. They will also have access to the entire regular season and playoffs package outside the USA. Sure enough, Turner can freely use the game highlights, at no additional costs, and will also retain rights to the league platforms, NBA.com and NBA TV.

More importantly, “Since there are no rights fees, TNT Sports is anticipated to be guaranteed $350 million in profits in the first five years of the 11-year deal, according to sources briefed on the agreement.”

Although losing Inside The NBA is BIG, this is a much better outcome than what was initially expected! We feared the show might end after this season. But Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson will return, as the show moves to different league partners.

Obviously, this is a result of TNT Sports suing the league in July after their offer to match Amazon Prime Video’s package was rejected by the NBA. Apart from these developments, TNT declined to comment and the NBA also remains tight-lipped, via The Athletic.

Lawsuit settlement could force Charles Barkley to go against his words

Sure enough, hoop fans are ecstatic to know that Inside The NBA is not done. But the show moving to ESPN and ABC might be a problem for Chuck. That’s because he hasn’t been very optimistic about the idea of working at ESPN from the very beginning.

“They’re not gonna work me like a dog. ESPN Radio, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes. I mean, HELL NO! As much as I love ESPN, I just turned 61. The notion that I’m going to be working like a dog into my mid-60s, that’s definitely not going to happen,” Charles Barkley had said.

Obviously, Chuckster has an amazing rapport with everyone at Turner, having worked with them for several years. But with no other option left and his whole crew making the jump, he might have changed his mind about not switching networks. Well, that is great news for the fans because the show will not be the same if any of the four panelists leave. So, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

If you remember, amidst all the uncertainty in May, June, and July, Charles Barkley dropped multiple statements about his future and how he would strive to keep everyone at TNT together. Among all that, there was one line that stood out and may be the answer to whether he’s going to be switching networks: ” I’m going to give my all as we keep [fans] entertained for years to come.”