After 36 years, Inside the NBA finally has a new home. The legendary late-night basketball show that shaped sports television made its ESPN debut Wednesday night, marking the start of a new era for Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson.
The move from TNT to ESPN follows the NBA’s massive new media rights deal that officially took effect for the 2025-26 season. For Barkley, who has spent decades entertaining fans with humor and honesty, the moment carried real emotional weight.
“I was nervous today, I’m not going to lie, because every person that’s ever touched a ball wanted to be on ESPN,” Barkley said on air.
They are the greatest sports network ever. To be working for these guys is an honor and a privilege
That confession captured the heart of the night: a mix of nostalgia, gratitude, and excitement. And of course, the crew wasted no time bringing back their trademark chemistry. Kenny Smith quickly jumped in with a joke. “Do you want a napkin for all that kissing up you’re doing?” he teased, sending everyone into laughter. The logo may have changed, but the spirit of Inside the NBA remains exactly the same.
Inside the NBA Finds Its Groove Again at ESPN
For longtime viewers used to catching the show on TNT, seeing the crew on ESPN may feel strange at first. But the tone, timing, and energy that made Inside the NBA a cultural icon are still intact.
The show will feature at least 20 episodes this season, including the Christmas Day lineup and a full playoff slate. Production will continue at Turner’s Atlanta studio, which helps preserve the familiar look and rhythm of the broadcast.
Barkley has admitted that the transition came with uncertainty. “We didn’t know what was going to happen,” he told Sports Illustrated this summer. “We were nervous, but excited to see how it all plays out.”
Now that the first episode has aired, that anxiety has shifted to optimism. Barkley’s honesty, mixed with his trademark humor, sets the tone for what’s to come. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said the goal is to honor what made Inside the NBA special while sharing it with a wider audience.
The first show proved it. The chemistry was there. The laughs landed. And the energy felt as sharp as ever. For Barkley and the crew, it is not just a new network. It is a new stage for the same magic that has defined basketball television for generations.
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