Shaq is not signed yet for Inside the NBA beyond the end of this season
O'Neal could hit the market with ESPN, NBC or Amazon Prime Video as bidders
The landscape of NBA broadcasting is shifting dramatically. Inside the NBA, the iconic post-game show that has captivated basketball fans for decades, is moving from TNT to ESPN/ABC after this season. This change is part of a broader deal that sees the NBA locking in a massive 11-year, $77 billion media rights agreement with ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, leaving TNT on the outside looking in. While the show’s stars — Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley — will remain at the helm, the future of Shaq himself remains uncertain.
With his contract expiring and multiple suitors lining up, O’Neal’s next move could reshape not just the show, but the entire sports broadcasting landscape.
As negotiations ramp up, one thing is clear. Shaq is likely to get a deal that could rival the largest sports media contracts in history.
Inside the NBA moving channels next season
Sunday’s announcement confirmed that TNT’s highly regarded Inside the NBA studio show will move to ESPN. It is part of a licensing deal with the network and the NBA.
It is noteworthy that the NBA has secured a new 11-year, $77 billion agreement with ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. That leaves its long-time partner TNT out of the arrangement.
This shift is a result of a settlement from Warner Brothers Discovery’s lawsuit against the NBA, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon in July.
Shaq is not onboard yet for the show beyond this season.
O’Neal is not under contract for the next season’s show, as reported by Jimmy Traina of SI.com. O’Neal’s contract differs from his three co-hosts, who engage in additional activities for WBD, such as the NCAA tournament. Shaq’s agreement is exclusively for the NBA, and it is set to expire in approximately eight months.
There’s no question that the Hall of Fame center is eager to join Inside the NBA with his friends. Given his savvy as a businessman, he knows that there are option he might be wise to consider. ESPN is a leading contender, and securing O’Neal would dispel any concerns about his absence from the show. Alternatively, he could strike a deal with Amazon. The company is aggressively recruiting top NBA analysts following Prime Video’s acquisition of an 11-year media rights agreement to broadcast NBA games. This could also include a separate arrangement for his production company, further enhancing the deal.
Bring plenty of cash
Let’s begin with the fact that Barkley’s current contract with TNT is valued at $210 million over 10 years. This translates to an annual salary of about $21 million, ranking him among the highest-paid analysts in sports television. Consequently, it would be logical for O’Neal to anticipate a salary comparable to that of his sparring partner.
Currently, Tom Brady is earning $37 million per year from FOX, and his contract includes additional options with the network. O’Neal is a shrewd businessman who wants to be paid.
With the savings from the loss of NBA games, WB Discovery Sports will likely not want the more bad press. And ultimately, they might not want to lose a star.
