Shaquille O’Neal assures ‘Inside the NBA’ will remain unchanged at ESPN: ‘Chuck’s not changing, I’m not changing’
Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson are set to move to ESPN next season as “Inside the NBA” transitions to the new network. The show is expected to retain its familiar format that fans love.
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” O’Neal emphasized that neither he nor Barkley will alter their approach, while commending the professionalism of Johnson and Smith. He also suggested that the show might operate similarly to “The Pat McAfee Show,” which ESPN syndicates from another company.
O’Neal stated: “I don’t have any concerns because I know one guy that you’re never going to change, and I know another guy that’s really close to him. The other two guys—listen, Ernie is a consummate professional and he can adapt to any situation. Ernie is the guy that really keeps us out of trouble and Kenny is professional, but Chuck is right there on the line and I’m right below Chuck. Chuck’s not changing, I’m not changing.”
“I actually saw something yesterday where it said ESPN is going to give us the same no-look that they give Pat McAfee. So, listen, we’re just going to go have fun, do what we do and talk about the game that we love and just try to make people laugh.”
Eisen pointed out that his own show is in a similar situation, with a return to ESPN coming this fall.
The “Inside the NBA” crew recently concluded its long-standing run on TNT, where it became a iconic part of the NBA media landscape. When TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, lost its NBA rights, the show’s future was uncertain until a deal was struck with ESPN.
TNT will continue to produce the show independently while it airs on ESPN, which plans to give the show its usual time slot. Barkley has made it clear he has no intention of changing his style to better fit in at ESPN, especially given his recent criticisms of some of his future co-workers.
Barkley has also mentioned plans to retire after two more seasons, although he has previously retracted retirement announcements.