As the NBA season kicks off, all platforms are focused on the games. Ratings are at stake, and many outlets are seeing a rise in viewership, thanks to their coverage. One of these outlets is Inside the NBA, hosted by Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal. While the overall reception towards the show has been positive, the recent ratings and viewership haven’t been good.

This starkly contrasts what Mark Cuban recently predicted about the show. TNT is currently in a lengthy legal battle with the NBA regarding its media rights deal. Fans and expecters have expressed worry regarding the matter, as the future of the show doesn’t seem bright. Despite all that, Cuban did say that this was an opportunity for the NBA Hall of Famer O’Neal to increase his net worth.

As reports indicate, the Tuesday NBA Opening game on the TNT network saw a 1.6 rating and 2.95 million viewers. This was a 6% increase in viewership from last year. TNT’s pregame show saw a 2% increase in viewership over last year. Unfortunately, Inside the NBA saw a 4% decline. While 4% might be a small number, in terms of viewership, that is a lot.

Shaq’s current deal as an analyst on the show earns him $10 million annually. While that is a heavy sum, he reportedly signed a 10-year contract with FOX for $375 million. Cuban did highlight the wave of change in the sports news genre. While OTT platforms are gaining market space, people are finding new avenues to get their information. And with Inside the NBA’s future hanging by a thread, its more popular skits might also face troubles.

Are we looking at Shaquille O’Neal’s Shaqtin’ a Fool’s final season?

When Shaq joined the TNT team in 2011, he introduced a segment called Shaqtin’ a Fool. Using creative graphics and the NBA Legend’s voiceover, the segment gained massive attention from fans. Today, it is one of the most beloved segments. However, it could be coming to an end.

With the whole show in jeopardy, this might be the last we see of it. The most recent episode saw fans get a chance to vote for the Shaqtin MVP online. The big man himself has taken to narrating the show while Kenny Smith is on comic relief duties. The show was a special segment for Shaq and his fans, which now seems to have lost its essence.

Long-time fans of the show were left heartbroken over the new development. This change hit harder than expected, with the whole show on the line. Fans expressed their sadness online; many called it the end of an era. While the NBA tries to partner with Amazon, Disney, and NBC Universal, TNT is trying to find its footing.