BREAKING: TNT Loses NBA Media Rights Deal to NBC & Amazon, Is This the End of Inside the NBA?!

David Samson joins us as news breaks that TNT and Warner Discovery have officially lost their bid amid NBA broadcasting rights negotiations and that Sports Business Journal is reporting that NBC and Amazon will be finalizing their deals later this week. We react to the news and what it means for the iconic award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Shaq, Kenny, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley.
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[@ldfrazi]

I think what people are forgetting is that Ernie been with turner over 30 years. I think he will retire before jumping ship.

[@blairsnyder1067]

I don’t think he’ll leave he still does nhl and baseball the other 2 are still under contract with tn Charles is the only one that can be a free agent to go anywhere

[@daveclark8337]

Yep. Ernie will be pushing 70 by the time all this shakes out. He's got a nice house on a golf course and a large family there in Atl.

[@KNByam]

Or just bring the show over.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

@@blairsnyder1067 Under contract to do what? Are Shaq and Kenny going to do the weather at TNT? I'm sure there's an out in those contracts if TNT doesn't have basketball.

[@Oldasianguy]

​@@Paul-vf2wlprobably got non competes in their contract. It's pretty standard, which is why Charles is so comfortable about being able to leave.

[@justaverage4088]

I know everyone is gonna miss inside but I'm gonna miss the TNT broadcasts too. They always feel so much higher quality

[@ajg8722]

Agreed. The TNT NHL show is solid. But I do miss the old NBC NHL broadcasts too. Feel like this is similar to that.

[@gunners1427]

NBC, Amazon, and TNT amazing quality. ESPN is the worst

[@donbuyshousescash4765]

FACTS..

[@donbuyshousescash4765]

​@@gunners1427Yeah i hate ESPN

[@robertbyington7715]

Absolutely

[@sirbedevere4944]

It’s more than just those 4 guys. The crew make the show just as great as the hosts do.

[@juliahouse7176]

If you watch the show you know that the success is as much behind the camera as in front of it. It cannot be replicated elsewhere.

[@iraford5788]

Exactly.

[@elias.236]

🫡 🫡🫡

[@tone7471]

Facts 💯

[@richardklambie]

Very true. And Barkley brings this up all the time….

[@adriankendrick4281]

ESPN would never let Charles Barkley be himself so I don't see them going to get him.

[@kneelpdx1]

ESPN pregame has been unwatchable and their commentary is just a lot of shouting with very little wit and zero wisdom.

[@davidjames6036]

​@@kneelpdx1lol lil bruh and u think barkley is any of those things lmfaooooooo.😂😂.......barkley and shaq are a comedy act clown show not basketball analysis😂😂🤣🤣

[@hankarmas]

If Chuck still wants to keep going, Amazon could probably swoop him up

[@fredmac3763]

@@davidjames6036thank you!!! I do feel most times Kenny will provide thought provoking analysis.

[@daking414]

He ain’t gonna let him work him like a dog

[@quietlike]

Chuck and Shaq wont want to work for ESPN

[@Luda_101]

“There not gonna work me like a dog, and not pay me.” - Sir Charles

[@jajuangordy4394]

​@@Luda_101they going to have me on ESPN 1 2 3, ESPN news, ESPNU, ESPN radio and then come home with that puny check.

[@victortabacaru7438]

@@Luda_101 ESPN 1, ESPN 2, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes

[@solidsnake7167]

Chuck went to work for CNN sooooooo, same difference at this point. And since CNN gets no ratings nowadays along with Barkleys show, he was kicked off.

[@avantesmith6442]

@@solidsnake7167I mean CNN is also Turner tho lol So it still made more sense, than him going to ESPN

[@LouSeph]

Earnie covers more than just the NBA - also he is near the end of his career. I think he will retire before he leaves Turner. End of an era.

[@Mac2Mon]

TNT could easily just do a 2 hour weekly recap/preview show, but make it live… everyone would still watch it. The producers make magic live if they have multiple days… it’s gold… like Shaqtin a Fool

[@1RicoStunna]

NBA is making a HUGE MISTAKE. Should have dropped ESPN. They have one of the worst NBA coverage shows....it's painful to watch for sure.

[@kingvagar]

🎯🎯🎯

[@michaelchen1838]

Gotta disagree with Sampson here. Ernie truly isn’t replaceable on that show. They’ve tried with Lefkoe and that other dude and its just not there

[@youreadisgracepod]

lefkoe, candace, d wade and draymond just suck imo

[@roberto9094]

EJ is iconic the other dude makes a decent host i'm not gonna hate on him, but EJ just triumphs over all in hosting.

[@sc3ku]

Lefkoe has no charisma relative to Ernie. Candace was stiff and had poor chemistry. Draymond is good but just an ASS. Hilarious they had him at halftime of MN/Dallas, and he didn’t acknowledge Gobert

[@briankiriakidis3957]

Ernie is a life time TNT guy, that tool saying he is leaving, HE IS NOT, tool.

[@TonyMontana-kw6by]

Bro the idea of Ernie leaving got you hot lol

[@briankiriakidis3957]

@@TonyMontana-kw6by No, why do I care? That show is the only way I get my NBA news, so when that show goes, so does many who have tuned in. That tool on the talk show, saying Ernie is playing a contract tactic, he is a tool. Maybe you are his tool.

[@dipper5835]

@@briankiriakidis3957 Who you trying to fool man, you obviously emotional about this

[@TonyMontana-kw6by]

@@briankiriakidis3957 bro calm down I'm just laughing at your clear anger now you attacked me 😂

[@briankiriakidis3957]

@@dipper5835 Nah, I am just a die hard basketball fan and it bugs me how these sports leagues only care about how much the owners make, thru tv. I just laugh at the notion Ernie would leave TNT, and the tool on that radio show saying he playing a game, Ernie that is.

[@adriankendrick4281]

Remember Ernie also does the MLB with Turner Sports. That is why he said he wasn't leaving Turner.

[@phillipsmith3077]

TNT should cut a licensing deal.. Everything would stay the same and every one would remain employed (meaning the producers, camera men, etc.)

[@drebiggity6380]

Great idea. Make Amazon pay a kings ransom

[@phillipsmith3077]

@@drebiggity6380 Yep.. And Bezos has the money for it.. and it's really not too far removed with what they currently do with Yankee games in the NY market.. They pretty much use the YES network crew. It saves them a ton of leg work in finding talent, studio space, etc... Would be a win.... But I just read a report that Amazon is getting the smallest package of the three (Disney, NBC, Amazon)... If we want to keep that show in our lives as it has been, we would need Disney or NBC to cut this deal... If Amazon's package is the best we get, then so be it.. But the league needs to realize that we as viewers value this show... There have been MANY days where I tuned in for pregame and post game and skipped the actual game altogether.

[@sp123]

TNT is not that great, I'm looking forward to seeing the new team, even if it's worse so we can see some new faces

[@martyc1960]

I'm sure they'll employ the people that want to switch. But Amazon isn't a friendly competitor and turner might sue the nba based on reports. Unlikely, business is beating your competitors.

[@phillipsmith3077]

@@sp123 That's your opinion and you are entitled to it... However, the vast majority of us, and the EMMYS totally disagree with you. In OUR collective opinion, it's probably the best in-studio show for any sporting event in history.. Everyone has attempted to recreate the magic these guys have, and everyone has failed.

[@DJSmugNdc]

Fukin Amazon.. I'm not paying extra money just to watch sports on TV🖕🏽

[@jawill24]

You literally been doing that your whole life lol

[@DJSmugNdc]

@@jawill24thats why I said "EXTRA" paying for basic cable is totally different..and besides I have a firestick ✌🏽

[@beyondthedetails]

@@DJSmugNdcI mean if you’re not interested in paying $10-$20 a year to watch sports I don’t think they want you as an audience unfortunately

[@DJSmugNdc]

@@beyondthedetails oh well

[@jawill24]

@@DJSmugNdc so why do you care at all you steal it anyway you don’t pay for tnt right now nothing changes for you

[@assassssasa]

David Zaslav will go down as one the worst CEO’s in history

[@guadalupev30]

Uhh, Warner/Discovery has massive debts from previous CEO's.

[@darlingnicki6923]

I agree. He's running everything into the ground. Max, Warner Bros., etc. He's so out of touch with what people actually want to see.

[@edfa3706]

He mkght be the best ceo. He is facing massive debt and is looking to clean the books before selling Warner brothers. It’s not a profitable company

[@FDT222]

I work at WBD. David is an awful CEO

[@Whatacomedian_]

​@@guadalupev30 theres a new wave of animation being a hit. They wont make an adult themed show because he doesn't like animation. Netflix(blue eye samurai)prime(invincible) disney(xmen97). Losing the rights for basketball. Shelving movies. Changing hbo max to "max"

[@TheDwdude]

Those guys are not leaving Ernie!!

[@jonosay854]

Shaq will do anything for a free buck 😂🤣 And Kenny gonna be desperate for work

[@ejford5083]

Not without Earnie encouraging them to do so. They are loyal to him.

[@Gunta45]

Money talks… takes feelings out of it

[@michaelsteese528]

That’s so sad, nothing is even close to replacing the quality of their program. They’re not perfect, but they are the gold standard.

[@briankiriakidis3957]

Amazon is a cancer for us. I refuse to have 8 streaming platforms to simply watch football. NBA will follow and the fans will suffer. Amazon is the worst thing to ever happen to sports and the greed of the leagues, well Good Bye. Slowly personally, I am growing away from all sports.

[@Oldasianguy]

I stopped watching football when they penalized end zone celebrations. Fortunately I still play basketball with people half my age, so watching basketball is 2nd to that. I always enjoy women's beach volleyball and tennis! Golf is nice to put on while reading or smoking a joint. Or both!

[@Hoosier765]

​@@Oldasianguy I have several TV's in my sitting room. I always have 2 of them on golf. Love it. Watching the colts play on Sunday and IU basketball is something I will never give up.

[@ericradford2142]

Unfortunately tv sports goes on.

[@HamptonGuitars]

I decided already that if I have to get amazon to watch the Grizzlies this season (since all Bally's got dropped from cable), they will lose a fan, at least lose a regular viewer.

[@solidsnake7167]

ESPN is a cancer.

[@Zothimus]

BOOOO corporations!! Always ruining a good thing for money! 👎

[@dvandal674]

Unfortunately, these deals is what allows for the salary cap to rise for the teams. This deal is what makes for the minimum and maximum contracts to go up for the players. I believe the next news cycle will be on the next CBA deal after the finals…

[@donsolos]

​@@dvandal674who gives af. Those premadonas make enough as it is. 300 million $$$ contracts. These guys are the furthest thing from relatable now, it turns me away

[@user-qr9dn5ge1q]

All the crybabies crying is HILLORIOUS see ya nba on TNT 😀😀😀

[@Zothimus]

@@yeelahowah7476 They are more funny than any other NBA show and I like to laugh. All corporate tools can take a long walk off of a short peer!

[@Zothimus]

@@user-qr9dn5ge1q Must be a kid. Spelled hilarious wrong. Lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@mrdavidashley6892]

Phil Dumphy keeps trying to have hot takes about Ernie. He's the glue, stop it. Even if they try it won't be the same.

[@b_well3]

Phil is only sees sports through numbers. He doesn’t understand Ernie is lowkey more important than Kenny.

[@swint12]

He does look like Phil 😂😂😂

[@eeJOKERee]

@@b_well3 no lowkey thing about it, Shaq can be so toxic and annoying but everyone knows kenny is the most expendable member of the crew, only kenny fans think otherwise and I don't even know if kenny fans even exist in the first place😂

[@user-rx4bl4ou5c]

NBA on NBC brings back old memories of Marv Albert 😂

[@DJ_-]

Lol fr

[@daj_leo4417]

Everything has an expiration date.

[@Mike-ye6xi]

I just got my overtime gravy train cut on my job it's been 2 years😮

[@Mulyse]

Chuck is done. He was already planning to leave several years ago but he agreed to do a few more years just because TNT has been so good to him. He's gone either way.

[@michaelmohammed9282]

Forgotten in all this, what happens to NBA TV. Owned by the NBA but that was all Turner productions.

[@easlam5503]

I wish the nba stays with TNT and go back to NBC ESPN coverage on the NBA is a joke now.

[@BasketballJones48021]

All of them by themselves are great, with Chuck being the standout… but the 4 together are what makes it what it is, 4 of them TOGETHER is just magic. Yet, if you remove one, it loses something considerably. Perfect mix! Barkley is the star of the team, Shaq creates a necessary instability and ruckus, Kenny can instigate and do a little bit of everything, while Ernie is the one who keeps it all together, who knows what to do forward… Better yet, not just the 4 of them but ALL of the team! They have an amazing team making the show, putting it all together! Down to everything…

[@earlyriser5877]

Couldn't have said it any better

[@verified.my2cents]

🤔It's not just about the on air talent...that show has a large staff that runs like a family that has been together for decades...and they are not able to leave Atlanta and Turner easily. So....even if the show has a new incarnation, doubtful any studio keeps it as is top to bottom.

[@Luda_101]

Where’s Underdog gonna go? The Animal Planet?

[@coreyrowe4119]

I'm happy to see the NBA on NBC return but it'll also be a bummer if that means Inside the NBA is coming to an end.

[@shedflips]

ernie is 100% loyal to turner, he's not playing a game here

[@JetForceFive]

I respect Ernie and everyone on that set. But for old heads like me, the league network brand used to be "NBA on NBC" for the longest time. Ahmad Rashaad, Bob Costas, a lot of iconic talent on their coverage. Then ABC/ESPN got the rights in 2002, and the presentation changed with NBA Countdown. TNT & TBS are longtime NBA networks from back in the 80's. New shows will be created, and everyone will be fine. Show or no show, all of those guys will be on 3 or 4 podcasts or KZbin channels a week.

[@kylecraven1916]

Won’t be the same brother, not even close. ESPN’s show is god awful, overproduced garbage. They don’t get the time and freedom to do half the things that ITNBA does because they’re too busy cutting to commercial every 3.5 minutes.

[@dreamcage1801]

Espn refused to evolve and bring in better personalities ​@@kylecraven1916

[@darlingnicki6923]

I agree. I grew up watching Ahmad Rashad and Hannah Storm covering the NBA along with Bob Costas. They'll figure out a new show for NBC but hopefully ITNBA can be saved as well.

[@MrMice...]

No love for Marv, Mike and Bill? I know they weren't the "in studio talent" but were a big part of the show, especially in comparison to today's game announcers involvement.

[@dreamcage1801]

@@MrMice... Snapper jones

[@Bdot1588]

What an all time bad take thinking Ernie’s just using negotiating leverage

[@blackspider1405]

It's Cote, so I kind of don't really listen..

[@Bdot1588]

@@blackspider1405 true, wasn’t he the fired person the DLB left espn over ?

[@vincesmith2499]

Not official. According to Front Office Sports, the NBA has not even accepted NBC's offer, which means TNT doesn't have to match anything yet.

[@SD-mg7np]

It’s over… Ernie ain’t leaving. All good things come to an end

[@Clarkthefaceofwnba]

Jermaine Jackson...

[@MikeSimGaming]

No one wants to watch NBA basketball on Amazon.

[@dreamcage1801]

But cable tv is dying and has gotten expensive for quite a while now

[@dave_dynasty]

​@@dreamcage1801Correct. Cable is already expensive, so who would want to spend even more for amazon? Unless amazon or any streaming platform offers every game with no blackouts, then I'll happily cut the cord.

[@StoneSD]

Interesting that no one mentioned the value of March Madness to Turner! They need to keep 3 of those 4 faces for their coverage. NCAA tournament is right behind Super Bowl and Olympics for media rights importance. Turner will have to do a deal to share talent with Amazon, much like a Strahan.

[@brandonconforto315]

Yeah that will be almost as big of loss to March Madness as losing the iconic Gus Johnson to Fox back in 2011

[@dreamcage1801]

End of an era! Lets be real here cable TV is dead in the water. NBA welcome back to the NBC family.

[@davidthanos]

I agree with Mike. Amazon has the money to come into that building and they could do the same show

[@jamesbingham1007]

This about Barkley. You can build around Chuck and be fine. When someone fill in for him, the show suffers.

[@memonomoto7419]

Nah, Chuck is the main guy but if he's not around Kenny, Shaq, and Ernie then it's not as funny. Most of what makes them great are the running joke that have been there for decades. Chuck vs Shaq, Kenny's knees and ego, Ernie as the Godfather, all these make the show what it is. Chuck with a bunch of other scrubs wont equal a good show

[@TimFrith24]

At last. After a 23-year wait, the NBA is finally returning to NBC beginning in the 2025-26 season.

[@shareofmoney]

This is sad news. I hate it for all the people behind the scenes as well. I hope it can be retained with the crew of Ernie and the guys because it wouldn't have the same feel without them all together.

[@GVvoltaire]

Steven A, you never, ever failed to impress me with your knowledge, intellect in your total overall approach to any topic. You said something a few years ago that brought tears to my eyes as I smiled over those words. Now today, you hit those same notes but in a different song. I loved the words to rhythm.

[@TheBlackEsquire]

Ernie is second-generation Turner. He practically grew up there.

[@MrBaltch]

When Ernie stares down Chuck after he tears up his notes, or an agitated Shaq upset over him voting twice for Steve Nash, you realise how important he is. Doesn't care how big or rich they are. He's Kenny's friend, Chuck's big brother, Shaq's uncle. Super supportive of players, without being a suckup and new talent. He's the Godfather. Adam Lefkoe might be able to do it, but they're big shoes to fill.

[@lonniecruel3]

Turner would allow Ernie to do both. If Amazon picked all 4 up and Ernie was allowed to stay in the Turner family, done deal

[@make-it-happen3552]

Those guys even the people behind the cameras bring something different to the air/sports talk show. Personality, sense of humor and laughter. And people love that. I promise you its not going to be the same.

[@coolaa7]

The show can continue. They can just show highlights and discuss the games like they always do.

[@sproles86]

This is what I have been saying since it was brought up they could lose the rights deal. Having it available on Max the next day will keep the numbers up.

[@KNByam]

Or just change the TNT part and keep everything else. Nothing has to change. Just keep everything as is. TNT WIll do right by them.

[@jawill24]

Not being able to show the clips and not being able to talk to the athletes the running to the board and halftime shows they could not do it won’t be the same show it would basically be a podcast Amazon would have to do a licensing agreement

[@coolaa7]

@jawill24 They could talk to athletes just like any other media. They can also keep the studio, run to the board, and all the other stuff by licensing highlights like ESPN does. They only lost the right to broadcast the games.

[@joshuafult84]

Won't happen because they all won't be in the same city to meet up for a 1 hour podcast once a week lol

[@rcvillapando]

ESPN still has it? SMH NBC I don't mind but F ESPN.

[@mister_bailey]

This notion that “everybody is replaceable”, while technically correct, assumes that the replacement will perform equally as well (or better) than their predecessor. I’m here to tell Sampson that he is flat out WRONG in that regard. EJ is too humble to say it, but Inside the NBA (or whatever it would be called post-TNT) isn’t what it is today without him. He has been the one constant. I like Lefkoe and the alternate crew that’s been there in the past. It is NOT the same. You can’t replicate that chemistry. Like Mike said, ESPN has tried and failed at it.

[@bencheung806]

that's crazy anyone thinks Ernie could be replaced. You can find another person running the ship but it'll be completely different from what it is right now

[@john-mc4zo]

What I do not understand is why TNT can't bid for Amazon rights or like the NBA forcing it, Amazon paying less money then NBC so why can't TNT bid for thoses games

[@gerimayawhyte154]

I think one thing that they're not bringing up is that both Ernie and Chuck have been pretty adamant "the others" not losing their jobs so that could be another determining factor. I would think though whomever ends up being the new parent company would not want to fix what ain't broke.

[@ronm3034]

They had a great run but all good things come to an end! This show will be missed!

[@rryan7554]

It’s time, it’s run its course. Chuck is a fool. Shaq, Kenny and Ernie are legit.

[@EmiliosFather]

So these networks, like Amazon, thinks people are going to pay for their service to watch basketball? I’m sure some will, but a lot wont. I won’t

[@AvenueI77]

Hey man where you watching the game at Amazon...that shii sounds so corny...ill continue to watch KZbin or KZbin TV for me

[@Mike-ye6xi]

Truth

[@OfficiatingBornVideos]

How does this work for the NCAA March Madness coverage?

[@maxlyfee]

All good things must come to an end

[@Vernon013]

This is crazy. "Fiduciary responsibility" leads to these kinds of really unpopular decisions. It's an impossible thought that the NBA takes a little "less" money to keep the public happy and invested

[@KNByam]

When I first found out what those words meant I realized why the world is what it is. On the one hand investors make money, but consumers lose.

[@tiredperson6574]

Even the fans can be replaced.

[@deegoodwin4060]

I really loved NBA on NBC and that intro. Interested to see who's going to be doing this new broadcast. Don't care about Shaq, but everybody else, I'm disappointed if I can't see them anymore

[@ScottOwens-ch7oq]

You can't just plug someone into Ermie Johnson role. He is the most important person on that show. He is the captain of the ship . He's a master at the greatest sports show in history . You can't replicate his ability to let things breathe, keep the show rolling, and allowing them all to be themselves.

[@edj9013]

I hate watching NBA games on ESPN and abc, maybe Amazon can do better. Otherwise I probably won't watch that much

[@DekuMight45]

I’m sure Bob Costas and Ahmad Rashad’s legacy during their runs on NBA on NBC and NBA Inside Stuff, which were both fundamental in the growth of the Jordan Era(Golden Age), and the guys over at NBC will be A-OK.

[@xxphactor]

It's not just the guys, but the production team as a whole should be contracted out.

[@nilsbeetle3]

i aint gon miss the desk but if NBC dont bring Kevin Harlan, Ian Eagle, etc. thats gonna be upsetting.

[@spooters]

They rather keep mid af ESPN than the best NBA post game analyst show... wow.

[@rsybing]

It's the end of Inside the NBA. Resist the urge to treat it like a public utility that must be preserved at all costs. It's a TV show. There are other TV shows.

[@briangordon7585]

Inside the NBA is Ernie Johnson and vice versa. The show is his 100%. The only way it continues is if a network buys everything. The crew, studio, and production. All of it. With all of their ages that wont happen. The new network will start over and its the smart.

[@quietlike]

This reminds me of the Bulls.... Amazing team and entertainment broken up and thrown away by management.

[@Cwe-35]

Bulls got old too

[@thunderroad9910]

Way overdue!!

[@mrhappyguy123100]

Samson is right anybody can be replaced. But that way of thinking is the reason why the Marlins failed capture the hearts and mind.

[@jyanharris7957]

What made it great is it was an official network show but formatted like a podcast show it's really the reason these shows like Pat McAfee, Cam & Ma$e etc. and yes Ernie was a central piece someone like Mike Greenberg could definitely fill the void in the middle!!

[@rtmachine2019]

Could they just have inside the NBA as a show about NBA on tnt because channel 9 in Australia has shows about AFL but doesn’t have the AFL on their network

[@carmeloreyes2789]

The Quadro should stay together, life will never be the same again ❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-nr6ul3pw3q]

Come on Amazon!! Do a deal with TNT for Ernie and the boys. They need Ernie!

[@m9ch15l]

It all comes down to ej... they r not stupid, they will try to keep the show goin... so it really depends on if ej wants to work outside tnt

[@dvijay461]

Well it had to end sometime and this is not a bad way to go out. At least they’ll have one more season and Im sure the entire crew will go all out!

[@JakeSnake-wh5yu]

Loving that Michael Vick madden shirt super hard

[@theronquishow5837]

"You love the people not the show." -this David Samson guy. No, we love the show. We love Alex, Underdog, TK, Fiorello, Ant, Chico, everybody in the crew and staff in that show along with the 4. It won't be the same if they don't have the same crew (albeit, Keith, the new director, is still finding his footing to give the show a new direction).

[@HumanBeanbag]

Down with regional sports networks next.

[@wrayven]

Indeed

[@benjaminkitchen7562]

They should have traded this expiring deal for another so they could preserve the cap space

[@joebalsamo8770]

Kind of sucks for such a long time partnership to end

[@ShawnKirch]

The show is MUCH more than just the personalities. Yes, they drive it, but the guys behind the scenes make the show. From the pranks, to the quick graphics and the studio design. It all makes it come together including the producers and executives who let the people do what they are best at and leave them alone.

[@davidthanos]

And have those guys do nfl highlights

[@reggiebrown9508]

Put the show on MAX and play it after the game like other studios do.

[@Watashiwaa]

NFL will go even deeper next. Netflix gets streaming games on Sunday taking them away from CBS/FOX after the agreement expires in 2030

[@joelv92]

This is the end of an era 😢

[@musicmakemehigh7170]

End of an Era. Inside The NBA is the greatest basketball show coverage in history. Erin is not leaving Turner unless Turner allows him to work for both.

[@JuliusBradsfield]

Of all the 30 minute videos they put out, they choose to make this one 7 minutes -_-

[@themissn]

who is this guy?? we love the show AND the people!

[@Jaburezu]

Gonna miss them. Hope they still do some shows together even with the 3 musketeers being a guest to an Ernie TNT show. I think Ernie's situation is clearly a loyalty thing. He's been with TNT for decades and is probably close to retiring. There's no point in him playing the max contract game.

[@reaganmaginn3341]

A new network is not going to give them the freedom for that creative and vulnerable culture. Picking it up and placing it somewhere else isn’t the same.

[@brandonconforto315]

I wonder what is going on mg happen to Kevin Harlan? I think he stays so he still calls the NFL games and March Madness but considering he's been such a part of the NBA for the past 25 years losing his play-by-play is tragic

[@corymatthews6778]

Bring Marc Jackson and JVG back to NBC!

[@dreamcage1801]

That can be their Czar and snapper jones

[@markkostka6897]

The national media is reporting this from Bill Simmons saying it would happen. NOT that a deal had been made. Yes it might be true but until NBC announces it I wouldn't give Simmons' opinion this much media exposure. He's a jerk for this.

[@seanhuitt9849]

Have Amazon hire the "Inside" crew. Initially have their studio in Atlanta. Keep Earnie for a few years and have him transition to Adam Leftkoe. Barkley to Draymond, etc.... This way all sides will be happy

[@DekuMight45]

Isn’t making the game more accessible through a standard television option the better long term plan? Yearly the NFL’s ratings are 10X those of the NBA. I’m thinking Adam Silver gets that only having one free option through ABC was probably hurting ratings.

[@Davidstone568]

I have never paid anything to watch any professional sports team. Those greedy bas/@>ds will not get a dime from me. Sitting on my a$$ watching sports is not my life

[@ronaldwilson9525]

Strahan works for Fox Sports and ABC at the same time. So two different networks are possible

[@flash_icon5267]

I think they’re both owned by Disney

[@BDQ1975]

@@flash_icon5267I believe entertainment part of Fox is owned by Disney. Not sure about their sports division

[@ronaldwilson9525]

@@flash_icon5267Fox Sports is part of the Fox Corporation which is not owned by Disney who does own ABC. Like I said two DIFFERENT networks. If ABC wasn’t ok with Strahan working elsewhere, he would be on ESPN (also owned by Disney). Ernie Johnson could theoretically work for two different networks if they mutually agree.

[@user-qr9dn5ge1q]

​@@BDQ1975 Ruper Murdoch still owns the main Fox network,Fox sports and Fox news he did sold the entertaining brand 20th century but he still owns fox sports

[@BDQ1975]

@@user-qr9dn5ge1qthank you. That’s what I thought that News Corp - Rupert Murdoch owned both Fox News and Sports. Thanks again

[@erichenriksbo3379]

“You’re going to like the way you look, I guarantee it.”

[@jonosay854]

Ernie has integrity. He said he wouldn't leave Turner, so he won't.

[@Davidstone568]

No one is immune to corporate greed. The nba is all about the money

[@joshuawoodard6998]

That's sad news man. I liked NBA on NBC back in the day, but they gave it up just to come back and take away a beloved show that made us smile no matter how our lives were going. I hope they hire every last one of those guys.

[@randysandberg5615]

It would be a shame to lose those 4 announcers. Their show is fantastic. The other NBA pre-game shows are worthless.