ESPN has acquired the fan-favorite show Inside the NBA, but they have no intention of adding Stephen A. Smith to the list.
Warner Bros. has signed a contract. Discovery has a deal with ESPN to allow the show to air on the network starting in the 2025-26 season.
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The series will continue to be shown and produced by TNT, the only difference is that it will be broadcast on ESPN.
“They're going to produce it, and that's exactly what we want,” Magnus said on the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast.
“Of course we will not change the offer.
“Why take something so successful and so innovative, bring it back and then say: ‘We know better, we’ll change it’.”
Magnus was keen to stress that the version of Inside the NBA that fans love will be the same version they see on ESPN.
“We don't want to change it. We don't want to bring new talent into it,” he said.
“We don't really want to do anything about it.”
Not changing the show means no one is added to the show, which means Steven A. won't be added. Smith to the cast.
Instead, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith will have their usual NBA duties.
“They’re going to be in the NBA Finals,” Magnus said.
“They're going to do the conference final, which is part of the new rights agreement. They're going to do almost the entire playoff run.”
“And then they'll basically do it during the regular season, Saturday night and/or Sunday afternoon on ABC.
“Then there's a mechanism for some specific games on ESPN. Opening Night, which is a regular season game that takes place in November or December.
“For example, if we had a Boston-Cleveland game on Tuesday night, that would be a perfect way to activate that game for ESPN. And then Christmas Day and that type of thing.”
Fans were thrilled to find out that Steven A. He will not be forced to join the NBA, and they shared their happiness on social media.
“We won,” one fan said.
Another fan said: “Thank God.”
“Could have legit ruined this show. Finally an ESPN W decision,” a third fan said.
A fourth fan said: “You know the crew didn't want him.. Charles and Shaq are going to make his life hell for him.”
“Well done ESPN,” said a fifth fan.
