$270 Million at Risk, TNT Receives Possible Solution To Save Shaq and Charles Barkley’s ‘Inside the NBA’ After Luka Doncic’s Pledge

Charles Barkley may have said what a million others were thinking: “I don’t think there’s a way they can keep us together, to be honest.” And with each passing day, the suspicions around TNT losing the rights to the NBA grow. But it’s the possible loss of Inside the NBA that many can’t fathom because who would want a fan-favorite show to end? Turns out, even Luka Doncic isn’t ready to bid goodbye to the iconic Inside the NBA quartet.

After the Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals following the Game 5 victory against the Timberwolves, Luka Doncic made his way to the Inside the NBA studio. In the concluding stages, Barkley confessed to the 25-year-old: “We’re gonna miss you. We’re done after tonight.” But Doncic was having none of it. He pledged, “You ain’t done yet. We gotta figure out something so you can stay on.” Well, it looks like – despite what everyone believes will happen – entrepreneur Joe Pompliano seems to have come up with a solution.

When Barkley revealed that NBC’s $2.5 billion bid for the TV rights to the NBA was basically a done deal, Shaquille O’Neal emerged as a ray of hope. Maybe he just wanted to believe this really wasn’t the end of the road, just like every fan of the show. But whatever it was, he said, “Hopefully, [Warner Bros. Discovery CEO] David Zaslav will take care of business. I’m sure he will. I think we’re in a great spot right now.” TNT may have failed to extend its contract with the NBA in the exclusivity window, but even Pompliano believes that not all hope has been lost just yet.

Inside the NBA is one of the best – if not the best – things to come out of TNT’s deal with the NBA. Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal make for a great analytical show that fans have grown to love. And because of this love for the show, Joe Pompliano believes the story isn’t over yet. He tweeted, “My unpopular opinion is that TNT will find a way to secure an NBA rights package for 2025 and beyond. Maybe the NBA breaks out a smaller 4th package for them, but a drop in carriage fees is too big of a risk & the NBA will want to keep Inside the NBA together. It’s a win-win.”

According to Pompliano, TNT can’t afford a drop in their carriage fees (which stand at $3 per subscriber), and the NBA desires to have Inside the NBA as the show that covers live games. With the framework of deals in place for Disney and Amazon, it’s the third package that NBC and TNT are fighting for. However, per Sports Business Journal, “Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal will not share a package, meaning WBD has no choice but to outbid NBC’s reported $2.5 billion offer.” But Pompliano’s suggestion makes room for another possibility – a fourth door.

That fourth door, per speculation, may involve TNT broadcasting only Thursday night games, allowing Inside the NBA to continue as a result, too. While that will be a “win-win” situation, as Pompliano put it, NBC would still have to agree. Because of the $2.5 billion bid it’s made, singing away Thursday night rights to TNT would only dilute its package. Because of this, it’s highly likely what Charles Barkley said will come true. The only way TNT can be completely kicked out still hinges on NBC. Pompliano even explained the possible reason behind NBC’s ludicrous offer to the NBA.

“I get why TNT wouldn’t pay what NBC is offering. But the real question is whether Comcast-owned NBC is only overpaying because they will try to make up the difference by reducing TNT’s carriage fee. If that’s the case, NBC’s offer may be dependent on TNT not getting a package,” he wrote. The one thing TNT has that NBC doesn’t is the sentimental partnership Turner and the NBA have had for over 40 years. Other than keeping this partnership alive, TNT also has a lot of finances at stake.

If NBC successfully realizes its plans, TNT will most likely take a significant hit. According to Fortune, this loss of NBA media rights could cause a 45% loss in their carriage fees. The figure stands at almost $270 million lost in advertising revenue. That’s how critical the league is to TNT. Turner has been the home of the NBA since 1984, as has the Inside the NBA. Losing it will be a shame. But the fight is now beyond the hands of Shaq, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson.

TNT can still survive by matching offers

When the news of TNT potentially looking at the media rights deal from outside in was revealed, many dove into the depths of their contract agreement with the NBA. According to Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal, Turner does have matching rights for any third-party offers made for the NBA’s media rights.

This includes both NBC as well as Amazon Prime. However, it comes bearing complexities. NBC offered $2.5 billion for the league’s media rights, which is larger than the sum TNT could have secured the rights for during the exclusivity window, as Disney did. Now, an argument has begun. CEO David Zaslav feels he can purely match the $2.5 billion. However, Adam Silver thinks it isn’t an ideal matching offer since NBC provides a wider customer base for the league.

A back-and-forth has since been going on between the two parties, with no real decision being made just yet, contrary to what many believe. Despite time running out – with the NBA set to make the announcement after the playoffs – there is still no clarity on who will secure the media rights deal by June 6. But what will happen to the Inside the NBA crew if Turner does lose the NBA? To understand it in depth, watch our exclusive interview with Leonard Armato in the video below.