Inside the NBA is set to debut on ESPN and ABC starting next season, following a settlement between Warner Bros Discovery and the NBA. Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports, filed a lawsuit against the NBA in New York state court after the league rejected the company’s matching offer for one of the packages in its new 11-year media rights deal, which is scheduled to commence with the 2025-26 season. The settlement is anticipated to be announced on Monday, according to three individuals familiar with the agreement who spoke to the Associated Press on Saturday night. These individuals requested anonymity due to the ongoing litigation, with a deadline for the lawsuit's dismissal set for Tuesday. The settlement was initially reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Despite Inside the NBA moving to ESPN and ABC beginning with the 2025-26 season, TNT Sports will continue to produce the well-known studio show, which will be broadcast from Atlanta, except during road trips. The show’s quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal will remain with the program. Barkley extended his contract with WBD in August, despite the company losing its NBA rights. Inside the NBA is expected to air during significant moments on the NBA calendar, including opening night, Christmas Day, the playoffs, and the NBA finals. It is also likely to be featured on Saturday nights during the second half of the season when ABC has a prime-time package of games.
The settlement grants TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights a global content license for NBA content without any rights fee for the next 11 years. Additionally, Warner Bros Discovery will maintain its relationship with the league’s digital operations, including NBA.com, for five seasons. Although TNT Sports will no longer air games in the United States starting next season, it retains rights to broadcast a full package of games in select countries, such as Latin America and Poland. TNT Sports will also begin airing Big 12 football and men’s basketball games next season as part of a sublicense with ESPN. This season, TNT will also air two College Football Playoff games under a sublicense with ESPN. Warner Bros Discovery acquired rights to the French Open tennis tournament and Big East basketball earlier this year. Turner Sports has had an NBA package since 1984, with games airing on TNT since the network’s launch in 1988. This will conclude after the current season.
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