inside the nba
TNT
ESPN has reportedly wanted to land Charles Barkley and Inside the NBAfor 20 years. Now that they have it, they have no plans on changing it, according to an alleged inside source.
Over the weekend, the iconic NBA pre-and-postgame show Inside the NBA wrapped up its 36-year-long run on TNT as the series is set to move to ESPN next season as a result of the NBA’s new broadcasting contracts.
While it’s been known for a few months now that Inside the NBA would live on and still be produced by TNT, the final episode over the weekend and the days since have certainly felt like something of a remembrance, which fans flooding social media with their favorite moments from the series.
Given the reputation of ESPN, particularly the way it currently covers the NBA, Inside the NBA fans have been worried about how the Mouse House might try to mess with the beloved show. According to a source that spoke to Front Office Sports, however, the network has no plans of meddling with Inside the NBA.
“’Some of the speculation’s just nuts. ESPN has wanted Barkley and this show for 20 years. Now that they’ve got it, why would they change it?'” a source told FOS.
“There will be an extensive postgame show, say sources. ESPN’s goal is to let the postgame segment run as long as it does now on TNT… Inside the NBA will lead ESPN’s pregame and halftime programming. The show will air live during ABC/ESPN’s biggest events, including the NBA Finals, conference finals, and NBA playoffs. They’ll also be featured on opening week, Christmas Day, all ABC games after Jan. 1, and the final week of the season.”
As a result of Inside the NBA moving to ESPN, the network’s current NBA pregame show, NBA Countdown, is being relegated to “second string.”