Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Shaquille O’Neal Shares Emotional Message As ‘Inside the NBA’ Prepares to Bid Farewell to TNT

Shaq's emotional message struck a chord with fans!

Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal had an emotional message for ‘Inside the NBA’ fans as the show prepares for bid adieu to TNT Sports. Notably, the show will now air on ESPN and ABC as NBA moves to the 2025-26 season. Under a licensing program with TNT Sports, the show will air on ESPN as well as its network affiliates while being produced by TNT.

As Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks could have been the last episode of the show, the panel took time to share farewell messages to fans. Shaq said that when something ends, something new begins, and hence, while it is moving to a new network, the show is still there.

Sharing an emotional message, he said, “There’s an old saying, when something passes away, something is reborn. And yes, it is the ending of the ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT, but it’s the new beginning for us. I’m glad we’re still together on whatever network we go to.”

The four-time champion added, “And whatever network we’re coming to, we’re bringing the pain. Just letting you know right now. OK, I know everybody’s sad that, ‘Oh, it ain’t going to be the show.’ The show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen. We coming, and we coming to take spots. We coming to kick, and we coming to take names, and we doing it our way.” Shaq concluded by saying, “The name changes, but the boys are here. We them boys.”

"The show is still here baby… WE DEM BOYZ!"

Shaq has us ready to run through a brick wall 😤 pic.twitter.com/QFQ0SOjms1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 30, 2025

The popular show features NBA legends including Shaq, Charles Barkley along with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith.

Shaquille O’Neal Appears to Wipe His Tears As Ernie Johnson Hails ‘Inside the NBA’ As ‘Greatest’

Shaquille O’Neal moved to tears as his fellow commentator, Ernie Johnson shared an emotional message. In one of the videos doing rounds on the internet, the former LA Lakers superstar was seen wiping his tears as Johnson spoke his heart out about “Inside the NBA” on TNT. As the show moves to ESPN from the next season, the broadcaster said, “This is really special. Very thoughtful.“

Ernie Johnson as 'Inside the NBA' comes to an end: "This is the greatest family in TV history, right here" pic.twitter.com/uIusicROP4
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 28, 2025

Not only this, but he also hailed the crew of the show as the ‘greatest’. Johnson said, “This is the greatest family in TV history, right here. Thanks.” The settlement between Warner Bro Discovery and the NBA came after TNT failed to secure rights as the league agreed to an 11-year $76 billion deal with ESPN/ABC, Amazon and NBC.

Inside the NBA

Shaquille O’Neal

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.