New York, NY – The future of the popular “Inside the NBA” show hangs in the balance as a bidding war for the NBA’s TV rights unfolds. If Warner Bros. Discovery loses the rights after next season, host Ernie Johnson will likely stay at TNT, handling various roles within the network, according to a report from Sports Business Journal.
Sources mentioned in the report shared that Johnson would continue at Turner, potentially leading the studio program for the men’s March Madness and doing play-by-play for Major League Baseball broadcasts if the NBA moves to NBC. NBC is reportedly planning a $2.5 billion offer annually for an NBA broadcast package.
Additionally, Charles Barkley could potentially explore other opportunities if Warner Bros. Discovery loses its NBA rights deal after the 2024-25 season. However, Shaquille O’Neal may not continue in TV, as indicated by the SBJ report.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of “Inside the NBA” revolves around the competition between ESPN and Amazon, with both networks having potential deals with the NBA. NBC and Turner are also in the running, with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav playing a crucial role in the decision-making process.
A source mentioned in the report expressed belief that Zaslav may go to great lengths to retain the rights, potentially outbidding NBC. However, NBC is currently seen as the front-runner, potentially prompting a strategic move from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to push Zaslav to make a substantial offer.
The current NBA TV rights agreements are set to expire at the end of the upcoming season. The outcome of the bidding war will not only determine the fate of various networks but also impact the future of iconic figures like Ernie Johnson and the beloved show “Inside the NBA.”