Inside the NBA Credit: TNT
NBATNT SportsBy Sean Keeley on

If you don’t pay close attention to the world of sports media rights, we can understand why the situation surrounding Inside the NBA might be a little confusing. And that was before TNT essentially eulogized the popular NBA program during Sunday’s All-Star Game, even though it will continue as it currently exists, just on a different network.

During one of the many, many breaks in the action during the revamped 2025 All-Star Game, Kevin Hart appeared at midcourt in San Francisco’s Chase Center to wax philosophical about the longtime NBA program, hosted by Ernie Johnson and featuring analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. The quartet joined Hart on the court, and they were presented with a series of gifts, some perhaps more appreciated than others.

After being presented with All-Star jerseys, championship rings, and fishing gear because “it’s over” and there “ain’t no work after this,” the foursome was asked to share their thoughts on covering the league on TNT for so many years.

“Please take a moment to tell the people how it feels to know you’re going home and to know that it’s over,” added Hart.

Johnson expressed his gratitude for 40 yards with TNT, Shaq offered one of his quips, Kenny shared his appreciation for the NBA players they get to talk about, and Barkley thanked the players and fans.

What was unclear in Hart’s commentary but made much clearer by Johnson and Smith is that Inside the NBA isn’t ending; it’s just moving to ESPN. Since Warner Bros. Discovery’s NBA broadcasting rights end after this season, they’ve licensed the show to ESPN so that it could continue. It makes sense that they’d want to honor Inside before it goes, but Hart’s verbiage made it seem like this was the show’s end, likely confusing some viewers at home.

Much like the Mr. Beast segment earlier in the night, the presentation seemed to annoy and confuse viewers more than entertain them. And when it ran on a little too long, perhaps no one summed up the sentiment better than Boston Celtics’ star Jaylen Brown.

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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