NBA Analysts May Join Amazon Prime Video If Deal Moves Forward

Amazon is reportedly interested in incorporating members of the Inside the NBA team into its basketball coverage, which is expected to commence on the streaming platform in 2025. The potential inclusion of personalities like Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith could bring significant attention to Amazon’s sports segment.

Jay Marine, the global head of sports for Amazon Prime Video, shared his thoughts with Sports Business Journal, suggesting that the company would welcome the opportunity to add members of the popular Inside the NBA crew. “Obviously, there’ll be a lot of interest, and we’ll just have to see how that plays out,” Marine commented.

However, Tom Friend, a reporter from Sports Business Journal, pointed out the challenges of the show transitioning in its entirety to another platform. Sources close to Warner Bros. Discovery, the current owner of Inside the NBA, believe there’s “essentially zero chance of the show going anywhere intact.” Johnson appears uninterested in leaving Turner, and Barkley, O’Neal, and Smith are all tied to long-term contracts with the company.

Although Barkley has mentioned a contract clause that allows him to exit if Warner Bros. Discovery loses the NBA rights, those familiar with the situation indicate this may not be entirely accurate. The contracts are reportedly unique with various stipulations that could complicate any potential move to Amazon, NBC, or Disney, the league’s anticipated partners following the next season.

As of now, the fate of Inside the NBA is still uncertain. Warner Bros. Discovery will be making efforts to retain its NBA broadcasting rights. Whether Inside the NBA will remain as it currently is or see changes when Amazon starts broadcasting remains to be seen, but for now, the popular show is staying put.