Has the Inside the NBA crew, especially Charles Barkley, finally received the ray of hope it needed? As most fans know, TNT entered a legal battle with the NBA after the league signed an 11-year contract with Disney, NBC, and Amazon. But even TNT likely knows its chances of getting an extension on broadcasting rights are slim. So, what’s next when the 2024-25 NBA season ends and the network’s NBA contract expires?

This question has been troubling the Inside the NBA crew, with Barkley being the most vocal about it. However, it seems the network may have recently landed something that could ease Chuck’s concerns. According to an announcement by Joe Pompliano, “Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, has signed an exclusive media rights deal with TNT.”

While reports of the deal surfaced earlier this week, details about the financial aspect were not revealed until now. Pompliano’s X post further mentioned that the network has invested in the league, which will feature over 45 prime-time games. As per Pompliano’s sources, the deal is worth more than $100 million over six years.

And yes, TNT has been fighting a legal battle with the NBA for not honoring a clause in their contract that should have granted them broadcasting rights if they matched Amazon’s offer. But for now, all we know is that this will be the last season TNT holds NBA broadcasting rights.

Amid such circumstances, it was crucial for TNT to secure something concrete for the Inside the NBA crew, especially as the network had asked the main cast—Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson—to stay on.

“They said they’re going to keep doing the show (even upon losing NBA rights)… We won’t have the NBA, so I think they’re going to try and figure it out,” Barkley said on The Dan Patrick Show, speaking about his decision to continue with TNT.

Now, it seems this latest deal with Unrivaled could be one way to figure things out for the Inside the NBA crew. The network has already recalled one of the masterminds—Tim Kiely—behind the show’s production from 1995 to 2023, Tim Kiely. Expectations could be for him to turn the broadcast, based on this new partnership with Unrivaled, into the same unscripted show Inside the NBA has been so far.

More about TNT’s partnership with the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league

TNT’s partnership with Unrivaled marks an exciting step for both sports broadcasting and women’s basketball. Launched by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the league will feature 30 of the biggest names in the WNBA, including Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, and more.

Over eight weeks, six teams will compete in what promises to be a dynamic showcase of talent. With games airing two nights a week on TNT and one on truTV, fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch the action. And for those who prefer streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max service will provide coverage.

Behind the scenes, pro basketball trainer Alex Bazzell will serve as league president and longtime tennis executive Micky Lawler will take on the role of commissioner, as reported by Sportico. Meanwhile, Mediapro North America will handle live game production, ensuring top-tier coverage with support from TNT and Unrivaled leadership. This partnership is part of TNT’s broader expansion of its sports portfolio.

Whether it’s adding College Football Playoff games or the French Open, and now Unrivaled, it’s clear that TNT is committed to keeping the Inside the NBA cast involved with the network in full capacity