Inside the NBA could end after next season if TNT loses NBA rights as cast member expected to remain on WBD network

AFTER almost four decades on the air, Inside The NBA’s days may be numbered.

A staple on the Warner Bros.-owned TNT network. Discover, since 1989, recent reports have suggested that they could soon lose their NBA broadcast rights package.

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Nien Year’s deals worth $2.6 billion annually with ESPN and WBD will come to an end after next season, opening the door for competitors to enter.

Amazon Prime Video has reportedly hatched a massive deal with the NBA to become one of its main broadcasters, according to Atlético.

Meanwhile, ESPN has also reached a deal with the NBA that is expected to be finalized, according to Disco.

As for the third network, it appears it will come down to either WBD or NBC, with The Athletic reporting that the latter “could structure a deal in a way that makes it difficult” for WBD to match.

NBC is reportedly prepared to shell out $2.5 billion a year for the rights deal, as reported by Sports Business Journal.

Should WBD lose the bidding war, it would leave the future of Inside The NBA up in the air.

Rival networks may attempt to pick up where TNT left off, however, they will apparently have to do so without the entire team that fans know and love.

A recent report claims that host Ernie Johnson would likely remain loyal to WBD regardless of what happens with the NBA, according to the SBJ..

Here, he would remain an in-studio college basketball analyst while also continuing his work as an MLB broadcaster.

The report added that analyst Shaquille O’Neal may leave television if the show comes to an end.

Fellow analyst Charles Barkley, however, would look to continue his on-screen efforts in a new home.

He recently revealed that he has an opt-out in his current 10-year contract with WBD, giving him the option to move on if they lose the NBA rights, according to an interview with ESPN ClevelandIt’s a really big show.

All of this may be irrelevant if WBD matches or betters NBC’s offer.

“My bet is that [David] Zaslav (WBD CEO) will pay extra to keep him, he will be crazy to keep him,” a source told SBJ.

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“But I think NBC is ahead now or just got ahead.

“I do not know if [NBA Commissioner] Adam Silver is doing this so Zaslav comes in with a big number.

“It has to be big. Like, it has to blow up NBC’s numbers.”

Should WBD lose the battle, it would represent a major blow to TNT Sports’ new UK channel.

As The US Sun exclusively reported, Inside The NBA was at the center of its promotional effort.

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