In a move that secures the long-term future of one of basketball’s most beloved on-air personalities, Shaquille O’Neal has agreed to a massive extension with TNT Sports, Packed House Sports has learned. The deal, worth more than $15 million per year, ensures O’Neal’s continued presence on Inside the NBA, the Emmy Award-winning show that has become a staple of basketball coverage for over a decade. The new agreement also sets the stage for Inside the NBA to transition from TNT to ESPN next season, in exchange for a package of Big 12 college football and basketball games.
O’Neal, 52, has been a key member of the Inside the NBA cast since joining the show in 2011 following a legendary 19-year playing career. With endorsements and a media career that complements his basketball legacy, O’Neal’s net worth is estimated at a staggering $500 million.
While O’Neal’s future with the show had been up in the air following the news that Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN starting in the 2024-2025 season, this new deal solidifies his place at the table. The contract secures the presence of O’Neal, who has become one of the most influential and charismatic figures in sports media, making him an indispensable part of the Inside the NBA crew.
This new deal mirrors the earlier extension signed by O’Neal’s colleague, Charles Barkley, who secured a ten-year, $210 million contract extension with TNT in 2022. Barkley’s commitment to the network was solidified despite interest from NBC, Amazon, and ESPN, with the NBA legend making it clear that Turner Sports is where his heart lies.
“I’m informing NBC that I will not accept their offer,” Barkley told Inside the NBA co-host Ernie Johnson on the Steam Room podcast. “I’m gonna cancel future meetings with Amazon… My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports.”
Barkley’s unwavering loyalty to TNT is shared by other long-time members of the Inside the NBA family. Sources suggest that Kenny “The Jet” Smith is expected to sign a new multi-year deal with the network as well, securing a continued presence on the show that has garnered a loyal following for its unique mix of analysis and humor. Johnson, who anchors the team with his calm demeanor, is also expected to remain, reinforcing the continuity of the show as it transitions to ESPN.
As O’Neal, Barkley, and Smith solidify their futures with TNT, the future of sports broadcasting is taking shape with new players entering the field. NBC and Amazon, two of the NBA’s incoming broadcast partners, have also been in negotiations with basketball talent to bolster their coverage. Carmelo Anthony is expected to join NBC soon, with Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford being eyed as the network’s top color commentators. Meanwhile, Amazon has been stacking its roster with names like Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, and Blake Griffin to help anchor its studio coverage for the upcoming season.
With these moves, the stage is set for the NBA’s next era of media rights, a transition that will see Disney’s ABC and ESPN, NBCUniversal’s NBC and Peacock, and Amazon’s Prime Video share the $77 billion media rights deal signed last year.
As broadcasters jockey to secure the biggest names in basketball media, the deals for O’Neal and his colleagues underscore the massive value that stars like him bring to the table. With the NBA’s long-term media rights set to reshape the sports landscape, O’Neal’s new deal stands as a reminder of the powerful role that these personalities play in shaping the culture of basketball and the sports media industry.
This extension is just the latest milestone in the career of a player turned media mogul, and it ensures that Shaquille O’Neal will continue to be a fixture in NBA coverage for years to come. Whether breaking down highlights, trading barbs with Barkley, or offering sage advice on the game, O’Neal’s brand remains as strong as ever—a dominant force on and off the court.