Barkley has been an outspoken critic of the NBA and TNT’s decision not to renew their deal. The source added, “People think that everything is fine between the crew and that we are a family, but we aren’t. “Since we pretty much know that things will be over after the coming season, this has turned into a whole mess, where everyone is finally showing their true colors. “The tensions between Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson are really high, as they are now criticizing each other for how the situation has been handled. “Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith are already looking in other directions, and know that NBA on TNT is almost over, it’s the end of the story.”
Ernie Johnson Rumors
19 Sep
Shaquille O'Neal on 'Inside the NBA' with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson: 'Hopefully this is not the last year'
Shaquille O’Neal on: In a perfect world I would love for us to stay together forever but you know it’s in the hands of the powers right now so but this last year is going to be a phenomenal year. Chuck is gonna go crazy, I’m gonna go crazy. It’s gonna be fun and hopefully this is not the last year.
The sports media world is gearing up for a gold rush on TV and digital talent. The NBA’s signing of media-rights deals worth $77 billion over 11 years sets the stage for the biggest hoops hiring spree in decades. Careers will rise and fall as multimillion-dollar contracts get dished out. Chess players are making their opening moves. NBA rights partners Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video are already eyeing potential talent hires among analysts, play-by-play announcers, reporters, and producers, Front Office Sports has learned. Candidates are working their contacts—and putting their agents on speed dial. TNT Sports is preparing for what could be its final season of NBA coverage after a 40-year relationship. The company has Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson signed to long-term contracts. But would the network (which is currently suing the NBA to keep its rights) stand in its way if one or more of that foursome wants to explore the greener pastures of free agency? Especially given parent Warner Bros. Discovery is saddled with $40 billion in debt?
Amazon has interest in pursuing members of 'Inside the NBA'
Amazon, which will officially stream NBA games starting in 2025, has interest in pursuing members of TNT’s revered “Inside the NBA” studio show, according to Jay Marine, global head of sports for Prime Video. Marine told SBJ that Amazon Prime Video used “Inside the NBA” as a model for its Thursday night NFL pregame, halftime and post-game show, and — should the TNT cast of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson become available — said, “Obviously, there’ll be a lot of interest, and we’ll just have to see how that plays out.’’
Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights have launched an aggressive social media campaign to try to save TNT’s live game rights, as well as Charles Barkley’s iconic Inside the NBA. TNT declined to comment. But the social blitz has several business objectives, according to my sources. First, remind the NBA of TNT’s superlative coverage throughout 40 years. Second, spark a groundswell of support from hoops fans, players, and celebrities who don’t want Inside the NBA, and its Emmy-winning cast of Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, canceled after a final 2024–2025 season. The offseason marketing blitz even has its own hashtag: #KeepNBAonTNT.
Ernie Johnson takes leave of absence from TNT Sports
In the midst of the chaos surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and its NBA television rights negotiations, Ernie Johnson is stepping away from baseball for the time being. “I’d like to thank the leadership at TNT Sports for allowing me the time away to take care of a family matter during the baseball season,” Johnson, a longtime TNT host, said in a statement from Warner Bros. “I look forward to returning to the studio for the start of the NBA season.”
Barkley then clarified that he can’t see himself working with new people . That includes those in front of the camera, like longtime Inside the NBA co-host Ernie Johnson. It also includes the people who work behind the cameras. “I’ve been on television for 24 years. Next year will be 25. And I’ll be 62 years old. I just don’t see myself — No. 1. Ernie would not go. But also, just going to another network and having to learn all the people behind the scenes. Because they work harder than anybody. And I just don’t see myself going and trying to break in with a new crew. That’s the honest truth.”
When the Mavericks clinched the Western Conference title over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cuban’s absence from the center of the trophy ceremony was noticeable. “They did look over, and (TV presenter) Ernie Johnson looked at me, like, OK, you coming up?” Cuban said last week in Boston, where the Mavericks lost the first two games of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics before losing again Wednesday in Dallas. “And I was like, this is Patrick (Dumont)’s moment,” Cuban said. “I don’t care about that s—.”
ClutchPoints: Charles Barkley: “We’re gonna miss you. We’re done after tonight.” Luka Doncic: “You ain’t done yet. We gotta figure out something.” Ernie Johnson: “We got all next year too. And then who knows after that.” Luka doesn’t want Inside the NBA to end 🥹 pic.twitter.com/QU6KaNN48M
