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When is 'Inside the NBA' ending? Schedule, final show after TNT loses basketball rights

Brendan OSullivan

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When is 'Inside the NBA' ending? Schedule, final show after TNT loses basketball rights image

It's rare that a pregame, halftime or postgame show can be as entertaining as a thrilling basketball game, but that's often the case at TNT.

What's usually a time for fans to grab a snack, run to the bathroom or just take a 15-minute snooze has become much-watch TV. Kudos to Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith for becoming the world's favorite NBA show.

Enjoy it while it lasts, however. "Inside the NBA" is coming to an end because TNT lost its license with the NBA. Warner Bros. attempted to match Amazon Prime Video's offer, but the NBA announced on July 24 that it rejected it to enter a "long-term arrangement with Amazon."

When is the last time the foursome will appear on "Inside the NBA?" The Sporting News has the answer and more below.

MORE: How 'Inside the NBA' is impacted by TNT losing NBA media rights

When is 'Inside the NBA' ending?

While "Inside the NBA" is ending, fans will have one more season to cherish the show. The current TV deal ends after the 2024-25 season.

ESPN and ABC own the right to exclusively broadcast the NBA Finals, so TNT's coverage will end following the 2025 conference finals.

If the format remains the same, ESPN/ABC and TNT will each cover one conference finals series. ESPN/ABC had the Eastern Conference Finals, while TNT has the Western Conference Finals for the 2024 playoffs.

The NBA said in a statement that it looks forward to "another season of the NBA on TNT."

What year did 'Inside the NBA' begin?

"Inside the NBA" has been around for over three decades. The show began during the 1989-90 NBA season.

Johnson joined TNT's "Inside the NBA" in 1990 and has been with the organization ever since. He hosts pregame, postgame and halftime shows for Turner Sports' coverage of NBA, MLB and college basketball.

Smith was next to join in 1998 after retiring from the NBA. Barkley signed onto the crew in 2000. It wasn't for another decade until O'Neal joined the cast in 2011, solidifying the foursome of today's show.

MORE: Shaquille O'Neal vs. Shannon Sharpe beef includes a diss track

'Inside the NBA' best moments

O'Neal, Barkley, Johnson and Smith have kept fans entertained even in the ugliest of blowouts.

Here are some of the crew's best moments together:

Brendan OSullivan

Brendan OSullivan Photo

Brendan O'Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News, joining in 2024. He previously worked at Newsday on Long Island, New York after graduating from Quinnipiac University.