‘Inside The NBA’ To Dribble On, Officially Moving To ESPN And ABC

Well, it’s time for another major shakeup in NBA media coverage. Namely, “Inside the NBA” — the legendary show with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson — will air on ESPN and ABC starting in the 2025-26 season.

The NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN confirmed the move, ending speculation and securing the show’s future for the next 11 years. The big twist? TNT Sports will still produce it independently out of Atlanta, so don’t expect the show’s winning formula to change.

This agreement comes after the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT Sports’ parent company, resolved their legal battle.

What does this mean for fans? More Barkley, more Shaq, and more unfiltered analysis across marquee events on ESPN and ABC. That means opening week, Christmas Day matchups, all ABC games from January on, the regular season’s final push, and the entire playoff run, including the NBA Finals.

Commissioner Adam Silver called it “a huge win for basketball fans everywhere,” and he’s not wrong. The deal expands Inside’s reach without sacrificing its original flavor.

But it’s not a one-sided trade. ESPN is giving up rights to 13 Big 12 football games and 15 Big 12 basketball games per season starting in 2025. In return, TNT Sports and its digital arms (Bleacher Report, House of Highlights) get the green light to produce and distribute NBA content globally.

TNT Sports isn’t stopping there. New programming starring “Inside the NBA” personalities is already in the works, with “Inside Sports” set to launch next season.

Plus, the NBA’s digital partnership with TNT Sports is getting a five-year extension and a revamp. Meanwhile, ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” led by Malika Andrews, moves to the No. 2 slot.

Basically, the media landscape is shifting, and the fans are the real winners.