🚨 BREAKING: Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN/ABC starting the 2025-26 season, per the Wall Street Journal (h/t NBA Insider Marc Stein). The Inside crew has found a new home!

**BREAKING: “Inside the NBA” to be Licensed to ESPN/ABC Starting the 2025-26 Season**

In a major shakeup for the sports media landscape, it has been reported by the *Wall Street Journal* (via NBA Insider Marc Stein) that the iconic **Inside the NBA** show, which has been a fixture of TNT’s basketball coverage for decades, will be moving to ESPN and ABC starting with the 2025-26 NBA season. This marks a significant development in the relationship between the NBA and its broadcasting partners, as well as a shift in the landscape of sports television.

### What Does This Mean for “Inside the NBA”?

**Inside the NBA**, known for its charismatic panel of analysts—including **Ernie Johnson**, **Charles Barkley**, **Shaquille O’Neal**, and **Kenny Smith**—has long been a fan favorite for its entertaining mix of analysis, humor, and candid insights into the NBA. The show’s move to ESPN/ABC will change the way millions of fans consume NBA coverage, as the show has traditionally been a hallmark of TNT’s NBA coverage since its debut in 1989.

The move to ESPN and ABC represents a **shift in broadcasting power** for NBA content. While TNT has been the network home for the NBA for many years, ESPN/ABC has become a dominant force in sports media, especially with its extensive sports portfolio that includes **NFL**, **college football**, **NBA**, and other major sports.

### Why is This Happening?

This move could be part of a broader **media rights deal** involving the NBA, ESPN, and ABC. As the NBA continues to negotiate lucrative TV and streaming deals, aligning major assets like **Inside the NBA** with a network powerhouse like ESPN/ABC makes strategic sense, as it helps bolster the appeal and reach of both the NBA and the show itself.

**TNT’s decision to part ways with “Inside the NBA”** is likely part of the larger shift in the NBA’s broadcasting rights, which are up for negotiation in the coming years. The NBA’s TV contracts with TNT, ESPN, and ABC are set to expire after the 2024-25 season, and this move could be an early indication of how the NBA plans to maximize its exposure and revenue moving forward.

### Impact on TNT and ESPN

For **TNT**, the departure of “Inside the NBA” marks the end of an era. The show is widely regarded as one of the best post-game basketball shows in history, and its loss will certainly leave a void in TNT’s sports programming lineup. However, TNT will likely continue its NBA coverage, and the network may pivot towards new formats or other types of shows to fill the gap.

On the other hand, **ESPN** and **ABC** stand to benefit significantly from this move. Both networks will gain access to one of the most beloved sports talk shows, which will be integrated into their existing NBA coverage. This move aligns with ESPN’s efforts to strengthen its NBA coverage across its platforms, particularly in light of its streaming strategy through **ESPN+**.

The **Inside the NBA** crew, with their larger-than-life personalities, will likely bring a fresh dynamic to ESPN’s NBA broadcasts, potentially attracting even more viewers to their games and coverage.

### The Future of “Inside the NBA” Crew

There has been no confirmation yet on whether the current **Inside the NBA** cast—Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaq, and Kenny Smith—will remain in place for the show’s new iteration on ESPN/ABC. However, considering the show’s immense success and the chemistry between the hosts, it is highly likely that the same core team will be retained to maintain the show’s signature dynamic.

Charles Barkley, in particular, has been a major draw for the show, often bringing humor, bold opinions, and a sense of unpredictability. The possibility of continuing this format under ESPN’s banner will likely keep fans excited about what’s to come.

### Broader Impact on the NBA’s Media Landscape

The shift of “Inside the NBA” to ESPN/ABC also signals the growing **centrality of streaming platforms** in sports broadcasting. With ESPN+, ABC, and other digital platforms under Disney’s umbrella, the NBA could use these platforms to reach younger, more tech-savvy audiences. By incorporating “Inside the NBA” into its broader media strategy, ESPN will likely look to integrate the show across different formats—traditional TV, digital, and streaming.

Additionally, this move could influence the broader conversation around **sports media rights**, especially as the NBA is in the midst of negotiating new broadcasting deals. With the changing landscape of media consumption—where younger viewers are flocking to streaming platforms over traditional cable TV—this move is likely part of a bigger strategy by ESPN and the NBA to stay relevant in a competitive sports media market.

### Conclusion

The announcement that **Inside the NBA** will be moving to ESPN/ABC in the 2025-26 season represents a landmark moment for both the show and the broader NBA broadcasting ecosystem. As one of the most popular and beloved sports talk shows in the U.S., its transition to ESPN/ABC will significantly alter the NBA’s media footprint in the coming years. With big questions remaining about the future of the current cast and the show’s impact on ESPN’s NBA coverage, this move will undoubtedly shape the future of basketball broadcasting. Fans will be eagerly awaiting how this change will unfold, especially considering the enduring popularity and charm of the Inside crew.