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ESPN President Vows Not to Change ‘Inside the NBA’ – Here’s Why!

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By: Mike

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1. The beloved Inside the NBA broadcast was nearly discontinued but will continue under a new agreement between ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery. Starting from the 2025–26 season, ESPN will obtain the rights to air the program from WBD.

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In a recent episode of the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast, ESPN’s President Burke Magnus revealed specifics about the arrangement and discussed the future of the program. TNT will maintain full production control, with the only change being the show’s new home on ESPN/ABC networks.

“They will handle production, and that’s exactly our preference,” Magnus commented during the podcast.

“We have no intention to modify the show,” Magnus further stated. “It doesn’t make sense to alter such a successful and established format once we bring it to our network.”

Magnus emphasized that the show would continue to deliver the same beloved content as always.

“We’re not planning any major changes. We won’t be adding new faces or altering the existing format significantly.”

When and where can viewers expect to see Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and the rest of the Inside the NBA team on ESPN/ABC?

“They will cover the NBA Finals, a Conference Final, and almost the entire playoffs. Regular season broadcasts will primarily be on Saturday nights and/or Sunday afternoons on ABC,” explained Magnus.

“Additionally, there will be select games on ESPN, such as on Opening Night, major regular-season matchups, and special occasions like Christmas Day.”

With ESPN hosting NBA games on weekdays, NBA Countdown will continue to be a staple on the network.

“Yes, that stays,” confirmed Magnus regarding Countdown.

“NBA Countdown will surround all other broadcasting windows. There are numerous opportunities for the show to continue thriving.”

Was the move to bring Inside the NBA to ESPN solely a business decision, or did public relations considerations influence the preservation of the show?

“We’re enthusiasts too,” Magnus admitted. “Personally, I’m a huge fan of the show. We didn’t want it to end. The chance to enhance our coverage and keep a significant program alive certainly played a part, almost selfishly, because I wanted it to continue.”

Magnus noted that the show’s cast is “very pleased with the continuation of the program.”

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify platforms.


The SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast is also available on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel.

2. On the topic of Inside the NBA…

I must admit, I find enjoyment in the recent social media fad where couples humorously expose each other’s quirks by labeling them as “suspects.” It’s quite entertaining to see the Inside the NBA team engage in this trend. The joke about one of them getting tired if he tried to list all his children was particularly hilarious.

3. Even one current and one former NFL player, both likely future Hall of Famers, expressed concerns over Netflix’s capability to stream a couple of NFL games on Christmas Day without hitches.

4. I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: LeBron James, arguably the second-greatest NBA player in the last 40 years and one of the most influential athletes ever, really has no business being on Twitter. The negatives far outweigh any potential benefits for someone of his stature.

5. I find it hard to believe the claim that the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event was the most-streamed global sporting event ever, with over 108 million live viewers. It just doesn’t seem plausible to me.

6. J.J. Watt had a sharp response to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky’s comment that the Steelers, with T.J. Watt, had no chance at reaching the Super Bowl this season.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Celebrating Troy Aikman’s 58th birthday, let’s reminisce about the time John Madden playfully mocked Aikman for his inability to grow a full beard.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.


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