NBA fans witnessed an emotional and historic moment as Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and the rest of the “Inside the NBA” crew signed off from TNT for the final time. After 35 years of broadcasting, TNT’s era of NBA coverage ended following the Indiana Pacers’ victory over the New York Knicks in Game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The final broadcast was marked by heartfelt goodbyes and raw emotion. Johnson struggled to deliver his last words, thanking viewers before leaving the iconic set. O’Neal, known for his larger-than-life presence, promised fans that the show’s spirit would remain strong as it moves to a new network. “Even though the title changes, the spirit remains unchanged,” O’Neal declared, vowing to bring the same energy to ESPN.
This transition comes as the NBA begins a new media rights deal that shifts national broadcasts to ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, leaving TNT out of the lineup for the first time since 1989 Despite the move, fans can expect the beloved team of Johnson, O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley to reunite on ESPN next season, keeping the show’s unique blend of analysis and entertainment alive.
As the curtain falls on one of sports television’s most celebrated eras, the anticipation builds for what Johnson, O’Neal, and the “Inside the NBA” crew will bring to their new home.
