©Kyle Terada - Imagn Images
Over the past 35 years, TNT has been synonymous with the NBA. Especially in recent years, TNT personalities like Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley have been synonymous with the league.
But, that relationship is set to end at the end of this year after TNT was shut out of the new NBA media deal in favor of companies like NBC and Amazon. On Thursday prior to their last NBA regular season broadcast window of the season, Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson broadcast an emotional message to fans.
Johnson has been the studio host since the 1990-1991 season and has seen the studio show grow into arguably one of the best in all of sports. He somehow keeps Kenny, Chuck, and Shaq on track, and knows just how far to let those guys take bits.
While it seems as though Inside the NBA will still exist next year as part of a deal between the NBA and TNT to keep the gang together, their game coverage will not. Ernie Johnson took a step towards saying goodbye to NBA game coverage on TNT.
"It has been my pleasure to be one of your coworkers, one of your teammates, and a part of this family" ❤️
Ernie Johnson with a heartfelt speech to honor the journey of NBA on TNT. pic.twitter.com/NId2p3jJjr
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 10, 2025
And one of the most gratifying things about the whole process is this, we start the NBA on TNT back then, in 89 and then we become synonymous with the League for the fans out there who they think NBA and They think NBA on TNT. That’s why it hurts tonight to know that’s gone after this next playoff run.
It’s a shame TNT is losing NBA rights. They do a phenomenal job. Let’s hope the new television partners plus ESPN can pick up the slack.