NBA Ends 37-Year TNT Era After Final Broadcast

The long-standing run of NBA broadcasts on TNT concluded after nearly four decades, with the final game airing as the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals. The popular show "Inside the NBA," featuring Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, will move to ESPN and ABC next season, continuing most shows from Atlanta. This transition follows a new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal that shifts NBA coverage to ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, ending TNT's NBA broadcasts that started in 1988. The final TNT sign-off was an emotional moment, marked by heartfelt tributes from broadcasters, analysts, and even Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who praised TNT's legacy during the trophy ceremony. Shaquille O’Neal passionately assured fans that while the network changes, the show's essence remains intact, promising a strong return on ESPN. TNT employees and viewers expressed gratitude and nostalgia for the era, with the network airing a tribute montage honoring its broadcasters over the years.