Chants of “TNT” from the assembled Indiana Pacers fans following Charles Barkley’s final sign-off on “Inside the NBA” was a stark reminder: The NBA on TNT is no more.
Although, thanks to the NBA’s latest television rights deal, “Inside the NBA” will continue on ESPN next season, the show’s longtime relationship with TNT is over after the Pacers won the Eastern Conference finals with a 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6.
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“If I had written the script, the NBA and TNT would be together forever. But while I was disappointed, I was sad, I was not bitter. We know how business works. Gratitude is the operative word for me,” Ernie Johnson said in his final sign-off on TNT.
For 35 years, “Inside the NBA” on TNT was a basketball mainstay for fans, relying on the smooth workings of host Ernie Johnson (host since 1990) to navigate the observations — and personalities — of analysts Kenny Smith (joined in 1998), Barkley (2000) and Shaquille O’Neal (2011). The show collected 21 Sports Emmys over that time and, in 2020, was honored by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Curt Gowdy Media Award, making it the first NBA telecast to earn the honor.
“Our hearts are full of gratitude, not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been,” Kevin Harlan said in his final “Inside the NBA” on TNT sign-off message. “It has been an honor. It has been a privilege, and I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”
Kevin Harlan, @ReggieMillerTNT, Stan Van Gundy and @ALaForce sign off from #NBAonTNT for the last time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/d68HtuyWYT
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 1, 2025
After contentious contract negotiations that jeopardized the future of “Inside the NBA,” given that TNT is not part of the NBA’s new 11-year, $76 billion media rights agreement, ESPN reached a landmark licensing deal to broadcast the show on Disney properties.
“Personally and professionally, I’ve been so elevated by my teammates. For everyone that set the stage before us, and for everyone that will take the torch now, thank you,” Allie LaForce said in her final sign-off message. “The great thing about live television is that it does live forever, so we will live forever, and so will the memories I have with you (all).”
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How the ESPN deal will affect the classic show remains to be seen.
Part of its appeal is not always knowing what to expect — whether that varies by game, segment or point in conversation. Like most sports shows, there are arguments, but no cast of talent can maintain the energy of well-bonded uncles who just want to discuss basketball and crack a few jokes. The formula has worked, right?
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Of course, that isn’t to say the show’s approach is perfect. Some takes age poorly. On occasion, Barkley and O’Neal may mispronounce someone’s name or proudly tout their lack of interest in watching bad teams. If you’re into analytics-driven content, “Inside the NBA” is probably not for you.
But the show works, and its conclusion from TNT’s airwaves closes an impactful chapter in basketball storytelling, no matter your stance on a given hoops take.
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“Man, I can’t believe we get paid to watch basketball,” Barkley said during the show’s pregame coverage of Game 5 between the Pacers and Knicks. “We’re the luckiest people in the world — I’m sorry, other than the players.”
As “Inside the NBA” drew closer to parting from Turner Sports, which is home to an incredibly talented production team that has supported the show from Atlanta, there were few spared sentiments from those who have enjoyed its peak moments over the years, including our own Richard Deitsch’s masterful profile on the show’s legacy.
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“Ernie, can I say something? Yes, it is the end of ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT, but it is a new beginning for us,” O’Neal said during the Game 5 coverage. “I’m glad we’re still together on whatever network we go to. And whatever network we’re coming to, we’re bringing the pain, just letting you know right now. I know everybody’s sad. The show is still here, baby.
“You can never kill the Four Horseman. We coming. We coming to take spots. We coming to kick ass. We coming to take names. And we’re doing it our way. All that sadness about the old show? We’re coming with a brand new show, and we don’t care who in our way.”
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As O’Neal continued, Smith echoed sentiments about taking names before Barkley asked whether he could “be Ric Flair.”
With The Big Diesel’s confirmation, the trio shouted, “WE DEM BOYZ!” as tip-off neared.
“We coming. Stop the tears,” O’Neal concluded.
‘Inside the NBA’ is a Hall of Fame production
It’s understandable that so much of the focus around the end of TNT’s NBA coverage has revolved around its signature show, “Inside the NBA.” No studio show has had more impact on its sport, and I’ve argued that during its run; it has been as significant to the growth of the NBA as much as any member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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But watching Indiana’s 125-108 win over New York on Saturday night, it’s worth a moment to pay homage to TNT’s NBA game coverage, which has consistently been excellent over its three-decade-plus run. It made Thursday nights feel big and closed shop with a legacy that includes four lead voices — Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Harlan and Dick Stockton — who all have legitimate credentials to be tagged as the greatest NBA gamecaller of all-time.
One of those game callers — Harlan — was on the final call with analysts Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy. (Let the record show the last basket called on TNT Sports was a 3-pointer by Landry Shamet.) He treated his last broadcast as he always did — with professionalism and a big voice for the moments that mattered.
Harlan paid tribute to all the voices that worked with him (and came before him) as they closed out an extended version of the game broadcast. (It was nice to see The Athletic’s David Aldridge included in that tribute.) He and Eagle will call games next season for Amazon Prime Video, which has a big job to match the NBA quality of Turner Sports.
NBA viewers will move on. Hell, we now live in a world where Netflix airs NFL games on Christmas. But we note here one of the great runs in sports television. Thanks for the memories, TNT. — Richard Deitsch, sports media writer
(Photo: Andrew Burke-Stevenson / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
