Andrew Pace
The NBA on TNT era came to an end in June 2025 after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC, with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley remaining together. However, the move has left many behind-the-scenes crew members out of a job, with some finding new roles at NBC and Amazon due to their exemplary work. While the on-screen talent will remain the same, the loss of the TNT production crew may significantly impact the show's charm and dynamic.
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What You'll Learn
Ernie Johnson's emotional goodbye
After nearly four decades, the NBA on TNT era came to an end on Saturday night. The show will move from TNT to ESPN and ABC next season, marking the end of a long-running partnership. The emotional goodbye was led by Ernie Johnson, who has been the show's host since 1990. Johnson, along with Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, reflected on their time with the NBA on TNT and shared their gratitude for the opportunities it had provided. Johnson, who was visibly emotional and struggled to get the words out, gave the final sign-off, saying:
> I'm proud to say for the last time, 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT.'
Johnson's farewell was not just to the show but also to the TNT production crew, many of whom have secured jobs with NBC and Amazon due to their exceptional work. Johnson praised the crew, calling them the "best production crew in the business". The emotions were palpable as the crew bid farewell to both the show and the network that had been their home for so long.
The end of the NBA on TNT era was a significant moment in the history of the league's broadcasting. Turner Sports first acquired the rights to broadcast NBA games in 1984, and the games have been aired on TNT since the network's launch in 1988. The show, "Inside the NBA," has been a beloved and seminal part of the league's coverage, providing in-depth analysis and entertainment to fans for over three decades.
The show's move to ESPN and ABC is part of a new 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion, which also includes NBC and Amazon Prime Video. While the network may be changing, the team is not. Johnson, O'Neal, Smith, and Barkley will remain together, with most shows still being aired from Atlanta. As O'Neal said during the final broadcast on TNT:
> Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we're coming to, we're not coming to [expletive] around... We're taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.
The emotional goodbye from Ernie Johnson and the entire TNT crew marked the end of an era, but also signalled the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved NBA studio show.
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Shaquille O'Neal's memorable sign-off
Shaquille O'Neal delivered a memorable sign-off during the final broadcast of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, as the show prepared to move to ESPN and ABC. O'Neal, who had been a host on the show since 2011, started by paying tribute to his co-hosts, including Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson. He emphasised the crew's unity, stating, "We're a family. I'm glad we're sticking together."
O'Neal also reflected on the impact that the crew would have on their new network, delivering a message with expletives:
> "Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we're coming to, we're not coming to eff around. Since this is the last show, I'm going to say it—we're not coming to fk around. We're kicking ass, we're taking names, and we're taking over."
The emotional farewell highlighted the close bond between the hosts and the impact they had on viewers and the NBA community. O'Neal's sign-off, along with those of his co-hosts, marked the end of an era for "Inside the NBA" on TNT, as the show prepared to continue its journey on a new network.
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TNT crew's future with ESPN
The NBA on TNT era came to an end in June 2025 after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league. The show will move to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 season, marking the first of ESPN's 11-year rights extension with the NBA. While TNT will no longer air NBA games in the United States, it will continue to produce "Inside the NBA" independently from its Atlanta-based studios and retain creative control over the show. The show's host, Ernie Johnson, and analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley will remain with the show, keeping the crew together.
The move to ESPN and ABC is a result of a new 11-year media rights deal worth at least $76 billion between the NBA, ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. The deal includes an agreement between ESPN and TNT Sports to present the College Football Playoffs, with TNT Sports now televising an exclusive slate of Big 12 football and men's basketball games. This partnership allows TNT Sports to remain involved in NBA content distribution and production, while ESPN gains access to the talented "Inside the NBA" team and expands its NBA studio offerings.
While the TNT crew expressed sadness and gratitude during their final broadcast on TNT, they also looked forward to the future. O'Neal stated, "We're a family. I’m glad we're sticking together... We're taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys." The emotions were clear as the crew reflected on their time with TNT and the relationships built over the years. Many members of the production crew have also secured jobs with NBC and Amazon due to their exemplary work.
The "Inside the NBA" show, which debuted during the 1989-90 NBA season, has been a fan favorite and a critical success. It has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards and been inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. The show's combination of candor, humor, and top-notch basketball analysis has made it one of the best and most culturally impactful sports shows. By joining forces with ESPN, the show will continue to reach a wide audience and deliver its unique brand of basketball coverage and analysis.
The future of the TNT crew with ESPN promises to build upon the success and legacy of "Inside the NBA." With the crew remaining together and TNT retaining creative control, fans can expect the same dynamic and engaging content they have come to love. The move to ESPN expands the show's reach and resources, allowing for a broader platform and new opportunities for the crew to showcase their talent and passion for the game. While the TNT era may have come to an end, the crew's future with ESPN sets the stage for a new chapter in their broadcasting journey.
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TNT's 35-year NBA run ends
After 35 seasons, "Inside the NBA" on TNT concluded its final episode, marking the end of a 35-year NBA run. The show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, featured analysts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal, who each shared their memories and emotions during the final broadcast. Despite the end of its partnership with the NBA, TNT's "Inside the NBA" will continue to be produced by TNT Sports, with the same cast and production team, and will air on ESPN and ABC through a licensing agreement.
The final episode of "Inside the NBA" on TNT aired after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. The show, which began in 1989, has been a staple for basketball fans, offering insightful analysis and entertainment through its unique dynamics and bold statements.
The conclusion of "Inside the NBA" on TNT was an emotional moment, with Johnson signing off by saying, "Thanks for watching us. It's been the NBA on TNT." The show's impact on the sport and its cultural significance were recognized, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of basketball broadcasting.
While the show is transitioning to a new network, the team reassured viewers that the ""engine stays the same." The move to ESPN and ABC is part of the NBA's new 11-year, $76 billion media rights agreement, which also includes partnerships with NBC and Amazon Prime Video.
The end of "Inside the NBA" on TNT marks a new chapter for the beloved studio show, and while it will be missed on its original network, fans can look forward to the continuation of the show on its new broadcasting home.
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TNT crew's impact on the show's charm
The NBA on TNT was an American presentation of National Basketball Association (NBA) games, produced by TNT Sports. It was the longest-running regular program and sporting event on TNT, dating back to only a year after TNT's launch on October 3, 1988. Its telecasts were also streamed on its Max platform from 2023 to 2025.
The show, "Inside the NBA", was hosted by Ernie Johnson, alongside analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. The show gained widespread popularity for the chemistry and banter between the hosts. The crew was also joined occasionally by Draymond Green. The show was known for its unique segments, such as "Shaqtin' a Fool", a blooper segment started by O'Neal that used CGI to highlight on-court blunders and mistakes from games around the league.
The show's impact on the charm of "Inside the NBA" was significant. The hosts' dynamic and playful interactions, coupled with their insightful basketball analysis, created a captivating viewing experience. Their genuine camaraderie and passion for the sport shone through, fostering a sense of community among viewers. The crew's ability to balance humour, wit, and unscripted moments with informative content kept the show entertaining and engaging.
The crew's impact extended beyond the show's content. Their popularity led to the airing of reruns on TNT Overtime on NBA.com, and the team began covering the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 2011. Analysts from the show, excluding Barkley, were also featured in the NBA 2K video game series. Additionally, the show was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2016 and honoured by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, becoming the first NBA telecast to win the Curt Gowdy Media Award.
The crew's dynamic and their ability to connect with viewers fostered a loyal fan base for "Inside the NBA". Their presence and personalities became synonymous with the show, creating a unique and beloved brand of basketball coverage. The crew's impact on the show's charm was so profound that even with the show's move to ESPN and ABC, the crew remained together, continuing to bring their distinctive style to basketball broadcasting.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2025, the NBA on TNT era came to an end after nearly four decades as a fixture of the league.
No, the show continued with the same crew, including Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.
Yes, the show moved to ESPN and ABC as part of a sub-licensing agreement between parent companies Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The show format remained the same, with TNT still producing the show. However, there were concerns about ESPN inserting more commercials.
Many members of the TNT production crew got jobs with NBC and Amazon due to their exemplary work.
