And the legendary TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ will continue after all! After a long legal battle with the NBA over broadcasting rights, ESPN provided a new home to the show. The new resolution marked with a $350 million profit allows the beloved show to air on ESPN and ABC, expanding its reach while retaining creative autonomy under WBD’s oversight. Moreover, this partnership ensures the program’s signature charm, featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, remains intact, despite the shift in networks. Moreover, the media mogul has plans to make the show even more legendary.

As per Front Office Sports, in a groundbreaking move, according to an insider from ESPN, they plan to unite Stephen A. Smith with Shaquille O’Neal and the Inside the NBA crew for an alt-cast show. However, Burke Magnus, the president of content for the media giant has clearly stated that they will not make changes to the initial show or its cast.

“Why would we take something so successful and so iconic, bring it over and then be like, ‘We know better, we’re gonna change it’? We don’t want to change it. We don’t want to interject new talent into it. We don’t want to really do anything to it,” said Magnus (via Sports Illustrated).

ESPN’s decision to pair Stephen A. Smith with the Inside the NBA team for a dedicated alt-cast underscores its commitment to innovation. Alt-casts are proven ratings boosters, offering fans a dynamic, conversational approach to sports commentary. Notable successes like ESPN’s ManningCast—featuring Peyton and Eli Manning’s charismatic commentary during Monday Night Football—demonstrate the potential of this format to captivate diverse audiences.

Moreover, if an alt-cast show really materializes, it wouldn’t be the first time that TNT and ESPN have done that. Both media houses have already planned a collaborative innovative show, named the ‘Crossover‘, that will merge the casts from ‘Inside the NBA‘ and ‘NBA Countdown‘.

Moreover, this isn’t the only creative move that ESPN is making during the holidays. On Christmas Day, Disney, ESPN, and the NBA are teaming up to present the first-of-its-kind animated NBA game, ‘Dunk the Halls’. The game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will be broadcast using Sony’s Beyond Sports technology.

The alt-cast featuring Smith and the Inside the NBA team (if it happens) is poised to provide fans with unfiltered, authentic basketball commentary. As we get deeper into the 2024-2025 NBA season, this venture could set new benchmarks for how sports stories are told and experienced. However, even if it’s uncertain if the alt-cast will ever happen, one thing’s for sure: Smith is happy with what’s cooking.

Stephen A. Smith’s positive comment toward ‘Inside the NBA’s’ move

The program has redefined sports commentary since its launch in 1989 through candid humor and sharp insights. The show, hosted by Ernie Johnson and featuring legends like Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, has been a fan favorite for over three decades and now has become a reason for good cheer for the ESPN veteran.

In an episode of the Stephen A. Smith show, the 57-year-old couldn’t contain his excitement regarding the move. “Kenny Smith and I go back many many years, love him to death, and Shaq and Chuck speak for themselves. It’s the best thing that could have happened for the NBA and the media industry. I couldn’t be happier, wishing them nothing but the best and looking forward to seeing my boys on the channel that I work on,” said Smith.

Over the years, the show has earned 21 Sports Emmy Awards, including numerous wins for Outstanding Studio Show making it a pioneer in sports media. With the possibility of an alt-cast partnership, Smith now has the opportunity to mix his firey analysis with the trademark humor of the Inside crew.