Shaquille O’Neal & Kenny Smith Make Thrilling Comeback to TNT Sports on CNBC: What to Expect!

Right now, something interesting is happening in the sports business. Two major companies, Amazon and NBC, are working on building their own NBA coverage teams. Both want to create their versions of the popular show, “Inside the NBA,” which features stars like Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.

Recently, “Inside the NBA” was saved when ESPN struck a deal with TNT Sports to license the show. This came as Warner Bros. Discovery is set to lose its NBA game rights. The deal with Disney means fans can continue to enjoy the show.

Despite the status of “Inside the NBA,” O’Neal and his co-hosts have still been in talks with NBC and Amazon. O’Neal has an escape clause in his contract for this situation, while Smith’s situation is more complicated. Barkley, unfortunately, lacks similar flexibility. However, fans can breathe easy; both O’Neal and Smith are close to signing new contracts with TNT Sports.

With their return confirmed, Amazon and NBC can now turn their focus to building unique shows instead of competing directly with “Inside the NBA.” Amazon has already announced exciting news. Taylor Rooks will host their NBA studio show, with former stars Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki as panelists.

Both companies have approached former player Carmelo Anthony for potential roles in their shows. They are also eyeing current players who might retire soon, like Chris Paul and Draymond Green. NBC is considering Maria Taylor as a host as well.

Transitioning from playing to being on TV can be very rewarding for athletes. First-time contracts can land between $5 million and $10 million a year. Plus, staying on screen can lead to more endorsement deals, which O’Neal and Barkley have both benefited from significantly.

According to Josh Pyatt from WME Sports, “Inside the NBA” is the gold standard for sports studio shows. The chemistry among O’Neal, Barkley, Smith, and Ernie Johnson is unmatched. They embody a tight-knit team that shares their insights and humor, attracting both players and fans alike.

Amazon has already proven it can create compelling content, as seen with its NFL studio show featuring popular former players. Jay Marine, head of sports at Prime Video, is eager to replicate that success in the NBA world.

NBC is taking a different route. They plan to roll out a “Sunday Night Basketball” show next year that will resemble a news magazine more than a casual banter-filled program like “Inside the NBA.” This show will lead into NBC’s featured NBA game of the week and aim to tap into 1990s basketball nostalgia.

As for Netflix, the company is still hesitant about investing in full live sports packages. Though they’ve added a significant number of subscribers due to some live events, co-CEO Ted Sarandos remains skeptical about the profitability of acquiring complete seasons of sports. He recently reiterated that while sports events are valuable, Netflix’s main focus is still on expanding live event offerings.

Interestingly, despite Sarandos’ stance, we shouldn’t completely rule out Netflix entering the NFL game market if opportunities arise. Their situation could change over the next few years, especially as they already provide WWE events regularly. The sports landscape is evolving, and so is Netflix’s approach.

Highlighting the sports agent perspective, Jeff Schwartz, who represents notable NBA players, shares insights about contract negotiations. He emphasizes how different the process is for star players compared to average athletes. For top players, there’s no need for fancy presentations—negotiations are usually straightforward. But for less celebrated players, it’s a back-and-forth that involves detailed documentation showcasing strengths versus weaknesses.

This ongoing shift in sports media coverage and athlete representation continues to shape how fans connect with the game.