Inside the NBA moves to ESPN starting with the 2025-26 season. Charles Barkley, arguably the most important member of Inside the NBA, is still weighing his options.
Charles Barkley Undecided On ESPN Future
"I'm listening to NBC and Amazon. I want to know everything that's on the table for me before I sign in… If we go to ESPN I got nothing but respect for those guys, but I'm not going to be doing ABC, ESPN and TNT."
-Charles Barkley discusses his future on television pic.twitter.com/oLQlMFssqE
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 18, 2024
On Wednesday’s edition of The Dan Patrick Show, Barkley spoke about his future with TNT and Inside the NBA. According to Barkley, he has not decided if he will continue with TNT. Barkley admitted that he’s listening to other networks with the NBA.
“I’m listening to NBC, Amazon. I want to know everything that’s on the table for me before I sign in,” Barkley told Dan Patrick. “I love those guys at ESPN and if we end up there, I’m gonna do the best I possibly can. First of all, they haven’t even given us any type of schedule, whatsoever. But I’d be doing myself a disservice not to meet with NBC, which I have. And meet with Amazon, which I have. And the number one thing I’ve told everybody, ‘Can y’all give me a damn schedule?’”
Barkley stressed that although he “loves ESPN” and has nothing against the people there. However, the NBA Hall of Famer does not want to “work like no damn dog.” For Barkley, it comes down to his schedule.
“I got nothing but love and respect for ESPN, but I’m taking my time with NBA and Amazon,” Barkley said. “I want it in writing. How much do y’all think I’m gonna work … I want to know what they’re expecting. Are we gonna have the same schedule? Or are we gonna have to do ABC, ESPN and TNT. Because TNT, I think, they originally wanted to keep doing something. So I’m not gonna be doing both. I’m not gonna be doing ABC, ESPN and TNT. That’s not gonna happen.”
Inside The NBA Moves To ESPN/ABC
ESPN and ABC will have the rights to air ‘INSIDE THE NBA’ from next season.
(Source: https://t.co/gDW2Czb1kc) pic.twitter.com/Vg4L8VwzsH
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 17, 2024
Last month, Disney signed an agreement to air Inside the NBA on ESPN and ABC during the 2025-2026 season. The historic deal comes via a partnership with TNT Sports and the NBA.
Though the new deal, Inside the NBA will air on ESPN and ABC during high-profile live events, including ESPN’s pregame, the NBA on Christmas Day, and the NBA Playoffs.
TNT Sports will continue to independently produce the Emmy-winning Inside the NBA from its Atlanta-based studios, except for when the show hits the road. The press release stated that Inside the NBA’s team of Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith would remain with the show.
However, Barkley’s comments to Patrick suggest his Inside the NBA is still up in the air.
