While basketball fans are expectantly waiting to see how the Finals will turn out, an equally important subject that is at the top of everyone’s mind is the media rights deal. Or more specifically, the future of Inside the NBA. A partnership that spanned over two decades, the foursome of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley have become household names.

With the $1.89 trillion multinational tech giant, Amazon also entering the fray, TNT found themselves at a cul-de-sac. As of now, the NBA is getting one more step closer to signing an 11-year media rights deal. As such, the games will be divided between NBC, Amazon, and ESPN/ABC.

However, there have been rumors about Amazon wanting to potentially keep the much-loved Inside crew together. On the SI Media with Jimmy Traina, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic joins to give his insights into the same. While they discussed the technical side of things, Traina said that the foremost thought of the average sports fan is whether “NBC or Amazon [will] take all four Inside the NBA hosts.“

The Athletic’s senior writer believes there could be a chance. Moreover, Marchand said that ESPN would also be interested in such a prospect. He further stated that Charles Barkley would be the most pursued analyst by these media conglomerates. In an earlier discussion with Richard Deitsch, Marchand had called Chuck, “the best sports studio analyst ever.” Therefore, he had the power to go wherever he wanted if Warner Bros. Discovery were to hypothetically fall out of the deal.

In contrast, though, Jimmy Traina has his doubts. And they are well-founded.

The Inside crew’s future lies in the hands of a certain ESPN analyst

Any guesses as to whom? Yes, the one and only Stephen A. Smith. An ESPN favorite for over 20 years and counting, the controversial podcaster might become a roadblock if the sports media conglomerate wants to keep the popular group together. Or at least, according to Traina, that is a possibility. The Sports Illustrated podcast host provided two reasons as to why he didn’t think the ESPN deal wouldn’t go through.

“I don’t think Ernie Johnson would go to ESPN, number one. And number two, then you have to blow Stephen A Smith out of that show. And you know he’s not taking that lying down,” Traina pointed out to Marchand. If there is one thing no one would contest when it comes to Stephen A. is, that the NYC native does not have a history of taking anything lying down!

The incidents from the past few days are proof enough. Incidents involving Draymond Green, through which he took a dig at Shaq too, Jaylen Brown, Isiah Thomas, LeBron James, JJ Redick, and more recently, Monica McNutt, have all been making headlines like crazy. So, imagine if ESPN had to kick the 56-year-old to accommodate the Inside squad!

Then again, all of this is the ‘maybe’. The chances of the beloved Inside the NBA team staying together are looking less and less likely. What are your thoughts?

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.

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