The uncertainty surrounding TNT’s future comes at a critical juncture, with the network’s current NBA broadcasting rights set to expire soon. The show, which has become a cultural phenomenon, thanks to the chemistry between Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith, faces an unprecedented challenge as the NBA has given the broadcasting rights to other media companies like Disney (ABC and ESPN), Comcast (NBA and Peacock) and Amazon for the next 11 years. Now, as the future of TNT’s iconic “Inside the NBA” hangs by a thread, one of its beloved hosts has just dropped a bombshell that shook up the sports broadcasting community.

In a revealing interview with USA TODAY Sports, Kenny Smith, who has been with TNT since 1998, didn’t mince words about his position and also expressed his upcoming plans. “I watch television now and I go ‘Man! They’re saying that because we created that moment and now it’s part of other sports shows that people don’t even realize we created after sometimes so that’s always flattering but also it’s I feel like, how do I put it, I feel like LeBron in his free agent year and at some point, I’m going to have to go, I’m taking my talents to or I’m staying at, because you know it could be a hybrid situation of what we are doing now continuing at TNT or something different,” said Smith during the interview.

Maybe, just maybe, Smith’s LeBron comparison is more than a throwaway. In the summer of 2010, LeBron James strategized one of the most dramatic free agency moves in NBA history, culminating in the infamous ESPN special “The Decision.” James shocked the league when he left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to join Miami and arguably create the league’s ‘Big Three‘ with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

James shifted his legacy and turned the NBA landscape on its head during his four-year stint with the Heat (2010 – 2014). Under his leadership, the Heat made four straight NBA Finals appearances, with back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013 “In this fall, man this is very tough, in this fall I’m gonna take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat… that was the conclusion I woke up with this morning,” said James during the interview.

The potential departure of Smith would represent more than just the loss of an analyst. His signature “Let’s go to the board!” segments and ability to break down complex plays for casual fans have become fundamental elements of basketball coverage. However, if Smith is to follow with what James did a decade ago, this can also be speculated that even after leaving TNT, he might return once again just to have a better stint, just like what LeBron did when he rejoined the Cavaliers in 2014 and won a championship for them in 2016.

As negotiations continue behind closed doors, the basketball community continues to keep track of it. Smith’s comments have effectively put TNT on notice – retain their talent or risk losing a crucial piece of their award-winning formula. However, even after an indirect warning to the network, Smith has also uniquely lauded his show.

Kenny Smith compares ‘Inside the NBA‘ to one of the most popular sitcoms on TV

For a sports broadcaster, being compared to an entertainment juggernaut is rare, but it’s not unprecedented. Previously ESPN’s “College GameDay” has been likened by Charles Barkley to “Saturday Night Live” for cultural impact and ESPN’s “First Take” has been called by Stephen A. Smith “The View” for its debate format.

Now, during the same interview, Kenny “The Jet” Smith has raised the bar by drawing a parallel between TNT’s “Inside the NBA” and the legendary sitcom “Seinfeld.” “We’ve been crying everyday. No, I’m just kidding. We haven’t been crying every day. Now for me honestly you know, the dust hasn’t totally settled but you know for us, we know that what we’ve done in terms of, we put an iconic show on. I always tell people I said ‘We’re like Seinfeld, like you know the four of us. Like you watch that show it’s like Seinfeld,’” said Smith during the interview.

It can be speculated that Smith’s comparison isn’t just about ratings or longevity – it’s about the show’s unique chemistry and unscripted magic. However, if we do get into numbers, both shows have been on for a long time. Seinfeld originally had nine seasons and Inside the NBA is on its 35th season. Also, both shows have numerous Emmys with Seinfeld clinching 11 and Inside the NBA clinching 21. In the end, it’s quite understandable that even though Smith has talked about a move, the 59-year-old is really proud of his show.