Kenny Smith's Optimistic View on Inside the NBA's Future
- Kenny Smith shares his positive outlook on the future of Inside the NBA.
- He believes they can make history with or without TNT Sports.
- Smith isn't worried about the show's future and is confident in their potential for success.
The future of the popular show "Inside the NBA" is in jeopardy as TNT prepares to lose its broadcasting rights to NBA games after the 2024-25 season. The Emmy-winning program has been a staple on TNT since the network acquired NBA rights before the 1989-90 season. Despite this uncertainty, host Stephen A. Smith remains optimistic about the show's continuation, whether on TNT or another network. He emphasized the show's integral role in the NBA and the strong connection it has with fans. Smith expressed confidence in the potential for the show to evolve, suggesting that the team could explore ownership opportunities similar to those pursued by NFL stars Eli and Peyton Manning. He believes that owning their own label would empower the team and ensure that the dedicated staff who have contributed to the show's success remain involved. Smith highlighted the importance of maintaining the show's identity, regardless of where it airs. The possibility of moving to another network, such as NBC, Amazon, or ESPN/ABC, has been discussed, with Smith noting that collaboration among the show's core team could lead to significant developments. He underscored the shared knowledge and experience within the group, which could be pivotal in navigating the transition. While Smith enjoys his time off the set, he reiterated that there is interest from other networks in continuing "Inside the NBA." However, the specifics of this interest remain unclear, leaving the show's future hanging in the balance.