‘Inside the NBA,’ Turner Sports’ flagship basketball talk show isn’t going away any time soon, courtesy of a deal struck between Turner and new NBA-rights holder ESPN, keeping NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and Charles Barkley on-air
The trio, along with studio host Ernie Johnson Jr., will lead ESPN’s marquee NBA coverage, including opening nights, playoff games, and the NBA Finals, elevating ESPN’s basketball programming.
Driving the news: ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has made significant moves to revamp ESPN’s programming, such as bringing in Peyton Manning, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pat McAfee for various broadcasts to attract a younger audience. Pitaro’s strategic approach has transcended traditional norms at the network, aiming to secure top talent regardless of location through innovative arrangements.
- The trade involved sending Big 12 football and basketball games to TNT Sports in exchange for Barkley and his team, marking a major shift in sports media history.
- The deal benefits both ESPN and TNT Sports, with TNT gaining valuable content and ESPN strengthening its NBA coverage with the addition of Barkley and his crew.
- ESPN’s move was seen as a strategic victory over Amazon Prime Video and NBC Sports, who were also vying for Barkley’s services but were outmaneuvered by Pitaro’s negotiations with TNT’s Luis Silberwasser.
What they’re saying: ESPN’s NBA programming will see a significant upgrade with Barkley’s addition, while TNT Sports secures valuable game rights and content partnerships, positioning both networks for future success in sports media.
- Pitaro’s strategy focuses on securing top talent and reshaping ESPN’s programming lineup to better compete with rivals, as exemplified by the acquisition of Barkley and the “Inside the NBA” team.
