Bollywood Fever: Amazon, set to stream NBA games starting in 2025, is reportedly interested in pursuing members of TNT’s acclaimed “Inside the NBA” studio show. Jay Marine, global head of sports for Prime Video, mentioned Amazon’s admiration for the show and its hosts, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson. He stated, “Obviously, there’ll be a lot of interest, and we’ll just have to see how that plays out.”
Amazon Prime Video used “Inside the NBA” as a model for its Thursday night NFL pregame, halftime, and post-game show. Marine described the TNT cast as the “gold standard” for studio programs, highlighting their chemistry and entertainment value.
However, sources familiar with Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns “Inside the NBA,” asserted there is “essentially zero chance of the show going anywhere intact.” They noted that Johnson is reportedly not interested in leaving Turner, and Barkley, O’Neal, and Smith are under long-term contracts.
While Barkley has mentioned he has an out in his contract if WBD loses the NBA, sources suggested this might not be entirely accurate. The contracts contain unique variables that could prevent a switch to Amazon, NBC, or Disney, the league’s three impending partners after next season.
Despite this, Amazon, and NBC’s top sports executive Mark Lazarus (a former Turner executive), remain fans of the show. Marine emphasized the influence of “Inside the NBA” on Amazon’s sports programming approach, saying, “We’re big fans. I’m a big fan. They are absolutely fantastic, incredibly entertaining. And collectively, that chemistry is really awesome and, to be honest, it was an inspiration for us.”
Asked if Amazon might be willing to build a set in Atlanta to accommodate Johnson, Marine stopped short of any definitive plans, suggesting it’s too early to speculate. “We just signed the deal,” he said with a laugh.
As Amazon prepares to enter the NBA streaming market, the potential involvement of “Inside the NBA” cast members remains uncertain, but the admiration for the show’s format and success is evident.
Also Read Latest Sports News, NFL Receiver Michael Gallup Retires After Six Seasons, Citing Lack of Passion
Angel Reese Makes a Young Fan’s Night by Gifting Shoes After Historic WNBA All-Star Game
Javier Aguirre Returns as Mexico’s National Soccer Team Head Coach