The Boys Are Back In Town: Ernie, Charles, Shaq, Kenny 'Inside The NBA'
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 04:59PM By Barry Janoff
October 9, 2025: ESPN today unveiled its Inside the NBA schedule for the 2025-26 regular season, marking the iconic show’s first appearance on the network after airing on TNT Sports for more than 36 years.
Inside the NBA moved to ESPN after TNT Sports was not part of the NBA’s new media deals.
Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson hosts Inside the NBA with analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
“We’re proud that Inside the NBA — one of the most iconic and beloved shows in all of media — will play a leading role in our NBA coverage,” Burke Magnus, ESPN president-content, said via the network.
“Fans should expect the same great show they’re accustomed to watching as it becomes an essential part of the highest-profile events in the NBA, including the NBA Finals.”
The 21-time Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA studio show known for its entertaining style and unfiltered commentary will make its ESPN debut across two nights of season-opening NBA action, Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.
According to ESPN, “Inside the NBA will play an integral role in ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the most marquee events of the season.”
That includes the annual tradition of the NBA on Christmas Day, as well as the exclusive, national NBA game of the week franchises — NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC and ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase.
Inside the NBA will air on ESPN and ABC throughout the NBA Playoffs, including the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. (See full regular season schedule below.)
In July 2024, NBA officially renewed its media deal with The Walt Disney Company and signed new agreements with NBCUniversal (NBCU) and Amazon’s Prime Video, which also encompassed renewed and new pacts for the WNBA
The pacts will see ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video will telecast NBA games beginning with the 2025-26 season and run through the 2035-36 season.
The NBA did not disclose finances, but the three deals were put at $76 billion by industry analysts, about $6.9 billion per season, versus the league’ current contracts, nine years for $24 billion at an average of $2.7 billion annually.
The new alliance would cost Walt Disney Co, platforms $2.6 billion per year, Under the previous nine-year deal, which expired last season, ESPN/ABC paid $1.4 billion per year, according to AP Sports.
NBC, which aired NBA games from 1990-2002, would pay $2.5 billion per year, with games also streaming on Peacock; Amazon’s Prime Video would pay an estimated $1.8 billion per year, according to industry analysts.
ESPN’s Inside the NBA regular season dates (subject to change):
Oct. 22 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Oct. 23 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Oct. 29 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Nov. 12
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Dec. 25 ESPN, ABC
NBA on Christmas presented by State Farm
Jan. 24 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
Jan. 28 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Jan. 31 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
Feb. 7 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
Feb. 20
ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Feb. 21 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
Feb. 22 ABC
NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s
Feb. 27 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
Feb. 28 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
March 1 ABC
NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s
March 6 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
March 7 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
March 8 ABC
NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s
March 14 ABC
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop
April 12 ESPN
NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm
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