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NBA executives are reportedly on the verge of finalizing television deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon worth a combined $7.4 billion per year, potentially delivering a significant blow to TNT. According to Sports Business Journal, the NBA is formalizing contracts with these companies as negotiations reach the final stage.
This development is likely to disappoint fans of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, analysts on TNT's popular show "Inside the NBA." If the deals go through, the show may have its final season next year, and there are rumors that TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, could consider legal action.
ESPN is expected to pay $2.8 billion annually for the NBA's premier package, which includes the NBA Finals, a conference final, weekly primetime games, and WNBA coverage. NBC is set to spend $2.6 billion per year for the "B" package, likely featuring a show called "Basketball Night in America" airing on Sunday evenings after the NFL season. NBC's package would also include a conference semifinal, a conference final, and two primetime slots per week.
Amazon's deal, valued at up to $2 billion, would cover the In-Season Tournaments, first-round playoff games, and the WNBA. Final details of the deal are expected to be resolved within the next week.
Last week, NBA legend O'Neal expressed confidence that "Inside the NBA" would continue on TNT next season. The beloved show features O'Neal, Barkley, Kenny Smith, and host Ernie Johnson. "I don't know about the show's future, but hopefully Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav will take care of business. I'm sure he will," O'Neal said. "I think we're in a great spot right now."
Barkley was less certain, commenting, "It'd be sad if the show ended. We don't know... I hope it does continue. Not just for me, Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, but for the real people who work there. It's stressful right now."
