The iconic “Inside the NBA” show featuring Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal appeared in jeopardy for some until it became clear the show would remain intact and appear on ESPN -- with TNT producing it in-house.

Charles Barkley genuinely enjoyed working to TNT for 25 years. But it was the network’s lack of communication about “Inside the NBA” potentially moving to ESPN that irked hm.

In late 2024, TNT and ESPN reached a historic licensing deal and, as part of it, Inside the NBA will air on the latter network starting this fall. Fans were elated to hear that announcement, though it was preceded by months of uncertainty.