Blockbuster ESPN-TNT ‘Inside the NBA’ Trade Terms Leaked in New Report
November 18, 2024
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The trade that brought “Inside the NBA” to ESPN, while still being produced by TNT, came with unique trade terms in the sports media space.
On Monday, ESPN formally announced its partnership with TNT Sports and the NBA to exclusively air Inside the NBA on its platforms starting with the 2025-26 regular season. Next year marks the first season of the NBA’s landmark 11-year rights deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime.
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For fans, the main upshot of the ESPN/TNT Sports deal is that Inside the NBA will continue its run that began in 1989.
As soon as the new rights agreement was announced, reports emerged that TNT was looking to retain Barkley, who signed a 10-year contract extension in 2022, even if its flagship studio show went elsewhere. Among the current Inside the NBA panelists, according to multiple reports, only O’Neal does not have a contract with TNT beyond this season.
STUDIO CITY, CA – JANUARY 25: (L-R) Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley host NBA on TNT live from Jordan Brand Future of Flight Showcase on January 25, 2018 in Studio… STUDIO CITY, CA – JANUARY 25: (L-R) Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley host NBA on TNT live from Jordan Brand Future of Flight Showcase on January 25, 2018 in Studio City, California. Inside the NBA will move to ESPN while still being produced out of TNT’s Atlanta studio.
Cassy Athena/Getty Images
“Inside the NBA is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “We have long-admired the immensely talented team and are thrilled to add their chemistry and knowledge to our robust set of NBA studio offerings to super-serve NBA fans like never before. The addition of Inside the NBA further solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans.”
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The deal came with unique parameters. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, who cited “sources briefed on the deal,” the six-year agreement gives TNT the rights to air 13 Big 12 football games and 15 Big 12 basketball games, while no money was being exchanged between the sides.
“At TNT Sports, we take great pride in our Inside the NBA show and know its success is both a reflection of the iconic talent on set and the incredible people behind the scenes who consistently demonstrate the creativity and craft of our great team,” Luis Silberwasser, the CEO & Chairman of TNT Sports, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to continue to produce Inside the NBA for ESPN and ABC, ensuring fans are able to keep enjoying the magic of this show during the NBA season.”
According to Marchand and Jenna West of The Athletic, TNT Sports is anticipated to be guaranteed $350 million for marketing support and advertising inventory in the first five years of the 11-year deal.
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