Amazon Eyes ‘Inside the NBA’ Crew, Faces a Challenge

The future of “Inside the NBA,” TNT’s beloved studio show, has become a central topic amidst the NBA’s media rights negotiations. Jay Marine, global head of sports for Prime Video, disclosed Amazon’s intent to potentially attract members from the lauded “Inside the NBA” crew as the company prepares to begin streaming NBA games in 2025.

Although several details remain unsettled, the NBA’s rejection of Warner Bros. Discovery’s right-to-match request suggests that TNT is approaching its final season of broadcasting NBA games.

Marine remarked that Amazon Prime Video has already used “Inside the NBA” as a template for its Thursday night NFL programming, covering pregame, halftime, and post-game segments.

Marine added that should the TNT team comprising Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson become available, Amazon would be very interested and might pursue opportunities with the crew.

However, insiders from Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns “Inside the NBA,” indicate that moving the show intact has nearly no chance. Reports suggest Ernie Johnson is not keen on leaving Turner, with Barkley, O’Neal, and Smith tied to long-term contracts.

Earlier this month, USA TODAY Sports reported that the NBA had secured an 11-year media rights deal with Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBC, and Amazon, valued at around $76 billion, or approximately $6.9 billion annually. This deal will commence in the 2025-26 season and run through the 2035-36 season.

The agreement positions Amazon’s Prime Video as a significant player in TV sports, leveraging its ample financial resources. Amazon is already a notable force in live sports streaming, thanks to its Thursday Night Football package, and aims to extend its dominance.

On Monday, TNT Sports activated a matching clause in its existing NBA contract, set to expire after the 2024-25 season. This move was intended to allow fans to continue enjoying TNT’s unrivaled coverage, including its top-tier live game broadcasts and famous studio shows.

However, the NBA rejected TNT Sports’ offer by Wednesday, citing that Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposal did not meet the criteria set by Amazon Prime Video’s offer.

The NBA has considerably raised the rights fees for its current package, reflecting the increasing value of live sports as streaming continues to reshape the media landscape. TNT reportedly sought to get Amazon’s “C” package, valued at about $1.8 billion, which includes a conference final every other year, weekly broadcast rights, WNBA rights, and early-round playoff games.

Prime Video secured the broadcast of 66 regular-season games, the NBA Cup, and the In-Season tournament, introduced last year. The platform will also stream the NBA’s play-in tournament and 30 WNBA games each season.

Earlier this month, Charles Barkley, who has been an analyst on “Inside the NBA” since 2000, reiterated his plans to retire from television once TNT’s contract concludes after the 2024-25 season. He expressed profound regret for leaving everyone at TNT.

The 2024-25 season marks TNT’s final year broadcasting NBA games after a 40-year tenure. It will also end the iconic “Inside the NBA” program featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith.

The NBA’s departure from TNT signifies the most significant loss of a TV sports property since CBS lost the NFL’s National Football Conference package to Fox in 1993.

Even though TNT retains rights to the NHL, Major League Baseball, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and other sports events, the NBA has been a cornerstone of its offerings to pay-TV subscribers.

Source: USA TODAY Sports, Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports