Charles Barkley, co-host of Inside the NBA on TNT, said he is leaving the television business after the 2024-25 season amid speculation that the drama network will soon lose its NBA television rights deal.

Also Read: Is Charles Barkley's Retirement Declaration Believable … or Bluff?

Barkley, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the most recognizable personalities in TV sports, said Friday during NBA TV's postgame coverage of the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals that he will end his television career, regardless of whether TNT renews its NBA rights deal. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network reportedly will lose its current TV rights agreement with the league to NBCUniversal when the new NBA TV deals are announced shortly.  The reported new NBA TV rights package, worth $75 billion, will include distribution partners Disney, NBCUniversal, and Prime Video.

“There's been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. I just wanna say, I've talked to all of the other networks, but I ain't going nowhere other than TNT,” Barkley said. “But I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is gonna be my last year on television.”

A member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Barkley co-hosts Inide The NBA show — which airs during halftime and after TNT NBA game telecasts — along with Ernie Johnson Jr., Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. The show has also been inducted into the B+C Hall of Fame. 

TNT in a statement called Barkley a “broadcasting icon,” adding that the network looks forward to “further discussion of our future plans with him.”

Barkley's announcement comes as the NBA Finals on ABC is averaging 11.57 million viewers, which is even with the first three games of the 2023 Denver Nuggets-Miami Heat finals. Game 4 ratings were not available at press time.

Inside the NBA star Charles Barkley lashed out at Warner Bros. Discovery management Thursday, with the conglomerate now appearing as though it might let the opportunity to renew NBA TV rights, along with Barkley's popular studio show, Inside the NBA, slip away. 

"Morale sucks, plain and simple," the emotional NBA Hall-of-Fame player said during a morning appearance on Dan Patrick's podcast. 

Barkley has been a fixture on TNT's influential studio show for 24 years -- long enough to recall meeting some of the Inside the NBA crew's now college-aged children when they were infants. 

The uncertainty among the crew, which Barkley described as "family," as to whether Warner and its TNT channel will lose NBA rights after the 2024-25 season "just sucks right now," he told Patrick. 

"My two favorite wines are Inglenook and Opus. We've got the best studio show in the business, and these clowns I work for have turned us into Ripple, Boone's Farm and Thunderbird," said Barkley, referencing the three Sports Emmys Inside the NBA won earlier this week. 

Barkley said he's also frustrated that TNT just announced a sub-licensing deal with ESPN for the College Football Playoff. 

"I’m like, ‘Well damn, they could have used that money to buy the NBA.' We’ve never had college football before. Shouldn’t we spend every dime we have to keep the NBA," he added. 

Barkley also said that he's discussed with co-stars Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson the possibility of having his own production company, Fine Line Productions, produce a new version of Inside the NBA with the same cast and crew, and license it to either Amazon or NBCU. 

Barkely didn't mention WBD CEO David Zaslav by name, but he did reference "the guy who said, 'We don't need the NBA.'" 

Chances that Warner Bros. Discovery will reach a TV rights renewal with the NBA appear bleak.

The league is reportedly in the final stages of forging $7.4 billion dollars' worth of per-season contracts with Disney/ESPN, Amazon and Comcast/NBC Universal. And Warner on Wednesday announced a five-year deal with ESPN to sublicense College Football Playoff games for TNT.

Several sports media pundits took that as a sign that WBD had already decided to let the NBA go. 

In the history of televised sports, it's hard to find better example than TNT's Inside the NBA in which a league's brand was so intimately intertwined with that of a broadcast partner. 

But Sports Business Journal is reporting that the NBA is ready to leave the studio show, TNT and parent company Warner Bros. Discovery behind, as it finalizes new live-game deals totaling $7.4 billion a season with Disney/ESPN, Amazon and Comcast/NBCUniversal.

The specifics are hard to confirm, since this is still an active negotiation involving multiple parties, but the matter could wind up in court. 

Warner is said to have five days to match NBCU's offer, but the cash-strapped conglomerate's announcement of a deal with ESPN to sublicense College Football Playoff rights, announced Wednesday, probably indicates the direction an NBA renewal is headed. 

Speaking at JP Morgan conference sit-down in Boston, WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels reiterated his company's assertion that it has the ability to match any rival bid for its incumbent rights.

"We look at this as still very much an ongoing negotiation, Wiedenfels said. "We have a great partnership with the NBA, we value the product. And we're very hopeful that we're going to be able to find a solution that's mutually beneficial for both sides. ... But we do have contractual matching."

The negotiations center around deals that would start with the 2025-26 NBA season. 

ESPN will reportedly pay $2.8 billion for a lions share that includes the NBA Finals, one of the two conference finals and WNBA primetime games. 

NBCU, meanwhile, is reportedly ready to pay $2.6 billion for a package that includes two primetime games a week, a conference semifinal and a conference final. NBCU would also produce its own studio show, Basketball Night in America, which would start January, at the conclusion of the NFL regular season and Sunday Night Football.

Amazon is said to be set to pay $between $1.8 billion - $2 billion for a package that includes the In-Season Tournament, which runs November - December, as well as first-round playoff games.

If these deals are signed, and WBD walks away -- or a court ultimately insists it walk away -- there would be no remaining purpose for Inside the NBA.

Show star Charles Barkley said earlier this month that he factored WBD's potential loss of NBA rights in his 10-year Warner contracted signed two years ago, and he can thus sign with any of the league's other broadcast partners in such a scenario.

But the fates of co-stars Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, as well as host Ernie Johnson, are less clear at this point.

“I wanted to make sure I covered my ass.” 

That was how NBA playing legend Charles Barkley, star of the popular TNT studio show Inside the NBA, explained a clause in his current 10-year deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which lets him opt out of the deal if the conglomerate loses rights to the NBA starting in the 2025-26, when the league's new national TV deals take hold. 

Making the media rounds Wednesday, Barkley hopped on the phone with ESPN 850 AM radio in Cleveland to discuss his situation. 

Also read: Are Kenny, Chuckster and 'Inside the NBA' Moving to Amazon?

Barkley recounted that as he and his agent negotiated a deal that will reportedly pay him upwards of $100 million, "I said wait a minute. If you guys lose the NBA, I wanted to make sure I could get out of there."

The erstwhile “Round Mound of Rebound” said he and his backers expected either Apple or Amazon to enter the bidding fray.

“We didn't know NBC was going to come out of the woodwork,” Barkley noted.

It was Amazon that secured a new slice of the NBA’s national TV deal, agreeing to a basic framework with the league last week. With fellow national rights incumbent Disney/ESPN already locking down a deal in principle, TNT Sports parent WBD must surpass a reported $2.5 billion-a-season bid from Comcast NBCUniversal if it’s going to hold onto an NBA national TV contract its had since 2007.

It's unclear as to the “opt-out” capabilities of Barkley’s Inside the NBA castmates, Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. On Thursday, the Sports Business Journal's Tom Friend reported that Johnson, who also works Turner Networks' coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament, as well as play-by-play for Major League Baseball games, would stay behind in the event of an NBA exodus from WBD. 

But Barkley seemed emphatic and enthusiastic about moving his TNT post- and pre-game studio show to Amazon if it comes to that.

“I love TNT, and they’ve been great to me,” Barkley said. “But it's like Neno Brown said in New Jack City, ‘It’s always business, never personal.’ ”

HBO will chronicle the life and career of NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal in a new documentary series debuting in November.

The four-part series, Shaq, will focus on the basketball legend whose larger-than-life personality transcended the sport and transformed him into a cultural icon, according to the network. 

The series will feature interviews with O’Neal’s teammates Penny Hardaway, Dwayne Wade, Dennis Scott, Brian Shaw, Derek Fisher and Rick Fox as it documents O'Neal's  ascent to NBA superstardom — which included four NBA titles and a league Most Valuable Player honor — as well as his successful off-the-court broadcasting and business ventures, HBO said. 

Shaq is produced by Robert Alexander and Peter Berg’s Film 45 production company. 

Also: Warner Bros. Discovery Ponies Up for Cast of 'Inside the NBA'

O’Neal said in a statement: “We kept this documentary real from the start, and I do feel like it is the most honest look into my life and career up until this point. This process allowed me to reflect publicly in a way I haven’t before, and I’m so proud of the work everyone has done to put it all together.” ■

Warner Bros. Discovery may be looking to cut costs company wide, but it will continue to pay the winning team at Inside the NBA, TNT's award-winning studio show.

The company said that Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal have signed long-term contract extensions that will keep them together and on the air for “many years to come.”

Some reports have Barkley’s deal alone carrying a price tag of more than $100 million.

The deal comes with the NBA being the next major league whose TV rights will come up for renewal.

“Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the Inside the NBA team is recognition of their significance to that relationship,” said Luis Silberwasser, named chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports earlier this year. “Inside the NBA epitomizes the creativity and innovative spirit we've established throughout our successful, long-standing partnership with the league.”

Inside the NBA is entering its 33rd year and has won 17 sports Emmy awards. It was inducted into Broadcasting+Cable's Hall of Fame in 2016.

“We’re all a big family — Ernie, Kenny and Shaquille are brothers to me — and I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for them and all the amazing people who work on our show,” Barkley said. “I’m not gonna lie, though, this is a life-altering deal … and I’m blessed to be able to do live television for a living.” ■

Turner Sports will take a shot at the sports megacast format with Sunday’s NBA All-Star game by offering alternative, live game feeds on TNT and TBS. 

TNT’s telecast of the 71st NBA All-Star Game will feature the announcing team of Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Dwyane Wade, along with reporter Allie LaForce. TBS’ live Inside the All-Star Game coverage will feature comments and analysis from TNT’s Inside the NBA studio team of Earnie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith – along with injured All-Star player Draymond Green – throughout the telecast, said the network.

In addition, TBS’ telecast will feature comments from All-Stars Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell and Ja Morant as well as other players, coaches and referees who will be wearing mics throughout the game. 

TBS’ Inside the All-Star Game coverage is similar to ESPN’s Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli on ESPN2 in which the Manning brothers comment on the game opposite ESPN’s traditional Monday Night Football feed. 

Also: Peyton Manning Signs Expanded Agreement With ESPN, Disney 

Turner Sports will also offer programming on Twitter, NBA Twitter Live, where fans can vote for the player they want an iso-cam to follow during the second half, said the network.

“We always strive to put the fan first and, now more than ever, we have the opportunity to serve them with multiple viewing options that share best-in-class content values,” said Turner Sports Chief Content Officer Craig Barry in a statement. “We’re looking forward to introducing this new, unique format on TBS, and we believe it will entertain fans through an unparalleled blend of sports, culture and unprecedented access.” ■

In an unusual deal Draymond Green, an active star player for the Golden State Warriors, has signed a long-term contract under which he will be a part of TNT’s Inside the NBA and other Turner Sports and Bleacher Report programs. 

Green has been well known for firing back at comments made by Charles Barkley and the other stars of Inside the NBA, the post-game show that was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame in 2016. He has also served as a post-season guest analyst for TNT and interviewed players for Bleacher Report.

“I've had an amazing experience working with Turner Sports in recent years and I’m a big believer in the way they entertain and genuinely connect with fans on all levels,” Green said. “Today’s announcement helps to formalize our relationship and I couldn’t be prouder to officially be a part of the of the TNT family.”

Also: Wayne Gretzky Joins Turner Sports as Hockey Analyst

Some of Green’s appearances will be in person, others via remote depending on his schedule. His first appearance under his new contract was scheduled for Thursday night following Golden State’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Draymond is an incredibly versatile talent, both on the court and in front of the camera,” said Tara August, senior VP, Talent Services and Special Projects, Turner Sports. “He’s a team player in every sense, while offering a distinct perspective that is highlighted by his keen basketball IQ, charismatic delivery and forthright, thoughtful opinions that include and extend beyond sports. We’re thrilled to more formally welcome him to the Turner Sports family.” ■

TNT will take an inside look at its long-running NBA series Inside The NBA as part of a four-part documentary debuting March 4.

The series, The Inside Story, looks at the 30-year history of the series, which features Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal -- from its creation to its current fan and league popularity, according to the network.

The documentary features never-before-seen footage and interviews with celebrities, production crew members and sports reporters discussing how the show was able to straddle the lines of sports and entertainment, with a willingness to push the boundaries as it engages viewers in an impactful and enjoyable way.

The documentary series will run over four consecutive nights beginning March 4.

“Inside the NBA is a unique show that has had significant cultural impact within the sports broadcasting landscape,” said Craig Berry, chief content officer for Turner Sports. “That is attributed to the authenticity and chemistry of Ernie, Charles, Kenny and Shaq, along with countless people who have contributed to its success through the years. We hope everyone joins us in this journey as we look back and celebrate The Inside Story.”

The NBA playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic Wednesday afternoon was postponed as Buck’s players boycotted following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisc.

The game had been scheduled to be televised by NBA TV and regional sports networks in the two cities.

Players on the other teams scheduled to play Wednesday were discussing boycotting those games as well, according to published reports. Those games were set to appear on AT&T’s TNT network.

The NBA later announced that those games were postponed as well.

"The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks' decision not to take the floor today for game five against the Orlando Magic, today's three games--Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trailblazers--have been postponed. Game five of each series will be rescheduled," the league said in a statement.  

It was unclear when the league's playoffs would resume.

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds also decided not to play their Wednesday evening baseball game because of the Kenosha shooting.

In Orlando, where the NBA has been playing its games to avoid spreading COVID-19, the Magic players waited on the court until just before game time before returning to their locker room. 

Since returning, NBA players are wearing Black Lives Matter slogans on their uniforms to protest police violence against Black Americans as exemplified by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

With no games on, TNT aired a special episode of Inside the NBA and Kenny Smith walked out.

"As a Black man and a former player, I think its best for me to support the player and not be here tonight and figure out what happens after that," Smith said.

"I respect that," responded host Ernie Johnson.

For Ernie Johnson, the 30 years he’s worked on TNT’s Inside the NBA have zipped by.

“It’s like a blink,” Johnson said. “It seems like a couple weeks ago, I walked into that building and started doing the show.”

Initially launched on CNN, Inside the NBA this season marks its 30th anniversary. Johnson was joined by former NBA players Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, and the show grew into an unpredictable, engaging program that transcended basketball to become a pop-culture fixture and one of a handful of programs in Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame.

TNT will mark the anniversary by showing classic clips and memories from the show and asking viewers to vote on their favorites.

RELATED: Busy Offseason Has Fans, Sponsors Eager for NBA Tip-Off

During the playoffs Inside the NBA really takes off. Over the past five years, it averaged 2.3 million viewers, topping all of the broadcast networks’ late night shows among viewers and men in the key demos. There are some viewers who skip the game and watch the studio show, and there are also some advertisers who don’t advertise in games but run commercials during the post-game festivities.

Johnson said the show became fun when Smith — a two-time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets — retired as a player and joined the show full-time. “The show hit a new level when Charles came aboard,” Johnson added. “He changed the landscape for shows like that in any sports.”

The show has endured because of its chemistry in front of and behind the camera, Turner Sports executive vice president and chief content officer Craig Barry said. Early on, it was decided not to rehearse and to make the show’s discussions spontaneous.

“We don’t produce the guys,” Barry said. “The guys produce themselves.”

Now that the show is 30 years old, Barry said, it is looking to gauge what kind of impact it has had not only on sports, but on culture in general.

Barry was a production assistant on Inside the NBA 30 years ago. He helped steer the show towards including pop culture and was in favor of adding players to the on-camera mix.

His first encounter with Barkley came when he was given a company credit card and told to take the player known as the Round Mound of Rebound out to a club in Atlanta’s Bucktown neighborhood.

“Charles was the most gracious guy ever,” Barry recalled. When people would try to talk to Barkley or get his autograph, Barkley went out of his way to introduce them to “my friend Craig,” Barry said. Then Barry went to the bathroom. When he came out Barkley was gone and so was their car.

The prank-filled atmosphere is good for audiences and also good for business. “It’s not your traditional studio show,” Turner Sports senior vice president for ad sales Jon Diament said. But Inside the NBA is so entertaining, advertisers are eager to be included.

Prices for spots during Inside the NBA averaged $46,517, according to SQAD MediaCosts: National, not much less than spots in regular season NBA games, which cost $48,388.

Kia, the presenting sponsor for the past eight years, congratulated the show on its longevity. “Kia’s ‘Give It Everything’ brand mantra syncs perfectly with the show’s ‘Win or Go Home’ approach and we look forward to many years of continued future success,” said Michael Cole, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Kia Motors America.

“They’re not your average studio guys,” added Madhavi Tadikonda, senior vice president and group director, investment, at media agency Canvas, which handles Kia. “They have fun, they make it relevant not just to sports fans, but to pop culture in general. It’s a ton of everything you could ever want in a sports show, and there are a lot of non-sports watchers watching the show. So it’s a great property for us to associate ourselves with.”

Kia is looking at opportunities to participate in the anniversary celebration, Tadikonda said. Among the options is creating branded content with the hosts.

Last year, fans were invited to take shots at a basket on the back of a Kia driven by O’Neal. “The show knows the brand so well that they come up with a lot of creative things with the Kia team and they get executed flawlessly,” Tadikonda said.

No Nostalgia Overload

Barry said TNT won’t be overdoing its 30th anniversary celebration. “We’re not going to paste it all over,” he said.

The show also plans to put together the 30 greatest Inside the NBA moments and have fans vote on them.

Many of those best moments live on YouTube: Ernie running down Kenny as Kenny tries to duplicate Kobe Bryant’s leap over a car; a diaper-changing contest between Barkley and new father Kenny; the set being turned into a champion’s lounge and Barkley being excluded; Shaq knocking down the set while running to the video board.

How much longer will Inside the NBA go on? “I can go on as long as you want me to,” said Johnson, noting that they’ve been fortunate that other job offers never came to pull the cast apart.

After 30 years, Johnson doesn’t expect the show to change much this season. “I think we’re very fortunate to be in that situation where the folks at Turner look at us and say, hey, let’s not mess with it,” he said. “Let’s let those guys do their thing.”

TNT’s Cleveland Cavaliers-Atlanta Hawks NBA Eastern Conference finals telecast last night scored 6.8 million viewers, the network said Thursday.

The game, which the Cavaliers won to take a 1-0 lead in the best of seven game series, was the highest rated and the most-watched NBA game telecast on the network this season. The 6.8 million viewers was up 8% over the network’s coverage of the first game of the Western Conference finals last year, according to TNT officials.

TNT’s Inside The NBA series averaged a 2.6 overnight rating, ranking it as the second highest-rated program of the night across cable behind the Cavaliers-Hawks telecast.

TNT will air game two of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday from Atlanta.

Although the venue isn't exactly on Fashion Avenue, TNT will televise the first-ever NBA fashion show as part of its exclusive coverage of the NBA All-Star Weekend coverage.

Filmed on Friday, Feb. 13 from inside the grand ballroom of Manhattan's Hammerstein Theater, where TNT"s Inside the NBA is setting up shop for the weekend,NBA All-Star All-Style presented by Samsung Galaxy will air on Valentine's Day at 6: 30 p.m. (ET).

The one-hour show, executive produced by LeBron James’ Springhill Production Company and in association with Turner Sports and IMG, will feature a runway competition including James Harden, Klay Thompson, Chandler Parsons, DeMarcus Cousins, Zach LaVine and other NBA stars, along with IMG models Erin Heatherton (pictured), Chanel Iman, Rachel Hilbert and Shanina Shaik. The musical soundtrack to the event will include live performances by platinum-selling recording artists Flo Rida andWale along with a set from DJ NEM.. Steve Mayer of IMG joins James as executive producer of the show.

The show will consist of three rounds – dressing for the boardroom, a night out, and attire worn to the game – with the players teaming with a stylist and model as they walk the runway. The first round will consist of eight players, with four players advancing to the second round and the top two competing in the finals.

The show will include integration with TNT’s Inside the NBA as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith join the judging panel alongside designer John Elliott, WNBA star Elena Delle Donne and GQ style editor Will Welch, while Shaquille O’Neal serves as the emcee. Additionally, Kevin Hart will provide commentary and conduct interviews backstage, and John Wall will be a contributor to the show while Turner Sports style correspondent Damaris Lewis hosts behind-the-scenes segments.

“The NBA and its players have always been at the forefront of style and entertainment and this show falls directly at that intersection of sports and pop culture,” said Craig Barry, senior vice president of production and executive creative director, Turner Sports.  “This will be a fun, innovative showcase, as an extension of All-Star weekend, that serves as a great opportunity to create an entertaining experience for passionate and casual fans of all ages.”

If you haven't noticed yet -- and that's fair -- given the locals' performance,  the NBA All-Star Weekend is setting up shop in the Big Apple.

From turnstiles at Grand Central sporting the event’s logo and pillars at the station wrapped in giant images of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, to the upcoming league-inspired fitness events at 100 public schools (20 apiece in each of the five boroughs), plus skills and challenge competitions at the skylight at Moynihan Station (aka the giant post office building) and LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theater, commissioner Adam Silver and squad will do their best this week to take over the town.

While ESPN will air the celebrity game featuring ABC’s Blackish star Anthony Anderson (can't imagine K'ville's Marlin Boulet has much hops) on Feb. 13 from Madison Square Gardnen, it’s largely TNT’s time on TV.

In addition to All-Star Saturday Night festivities (shooting stars, skills challenge, three-point shootout and dunk contest) from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, TNT will receive an assist from TBS’s simulcast of the game itself from the world’s most famous arena – Marv Albert will call his 20th, with a hand from Reggie Miller and Chris Webber (his first) -- on Sunday.

Last year, TNT tallied 7.5 million watchers on its own, so the Turner twosome could take a run at ESPN’s 8.8 million viewers for the 2015 Pro Bowl.

On Thursday and Friday, TNT’s acclaimed Inside the NBA show will originate from Hammerstein Ballroom, home of joint upfront presentations past from the two networks. In upfront lore, it was also site of former Turner executive and now Atlanta Hawks owner Steve Koonin’s (who shares a certain resemblance to Seinfeld’s Wayne ‘Newman’ Knight) impromptu stand-up routine save during the 2011 pitch, when the power failed in the building.

The 34th Street venue, just a long outlet pass (or four) from the west side of MSG, will also feature some live music on Inside the NBA. At presstime, contracts for the performers’ roster were still being finalized, according to Turner officials. The artists reveal will come early next week.

Another musical performance drawing attention -- and some consternation among those who reside or work in/near the Flat Iron district -- is Kanye West’s show on Feb. 12. The Jay-Z Roc Nation endeavor, also featuring NBA All-Star and the impressario’s sports client Kevin Durant, will take place in the Flatiron Pedestrian Plaza adjoining Madison Square Park.  No word yet on whether Mr. and Mrs. Bey will join Mr. Kardasian on stage.

The area is expected to be shut down for several days, with a dozen sculpted snowmen from Swiss artist Peter Regli’s “Snow Monsters” exhibit removed in preparation for the concert, which is not part of the NBA’s official All-Star Game program.

But all's fair in Love & Basketball, right?  

With four doubleheaders over the first four days of the season, TNT and ESPN, after stepping to the line last season, are going down the lane this time around with a big NBA opening week press in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Cleveland.

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For NBA fans in New York City, Inside The NBA, TNT's critically-acclaimed studio show will be part of a daylong on-site attraction open to the public and sponsored by 2K and Samsung GALAXY that will be featured in Times Square on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Opening at 10 a.m., the space will feature fan events, including signings from NBA Legends and retired New York Knicks players, performances from the Knicks’ drumline, kids dance teams and more. The event space will feature a Samsung GALAXY-branded basketball court, NBA 2K15 gaming lounge, NBA Game Time app demo area, a NBA on TNT social media vending machine, Samsung GALAXY Experience and a massive video board from which fans can watch the evening’s NBA on TNT coverage, a doubleheader featuring the world champion San Antonio Spurs hosting the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets visiting Staples Center and Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers.

At 7 p.m., Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will be on hand to broadcast live from Times Square throughout the entire night including pre-game, halftime updates and the post-game Inside the NBA presented by Kia.

The Times Square takeover aside, a replica of the NBA on TNT studio desk also will pop up at various locations throughout New York City on Tuesday to celebrate the start of season. Fans will be able to take photos of themselves at the desk, which is also sponsored by NBA 2K15, as well as pick up 2K and NBA swag and more.

“This is a big ramp up from what we started last season,” said Turner Sports president Lenny Daniels. “Opening week has always been an undervalued asset and we worked with the league and sponsors to really get engaged and activated.”

Doug White, ESPN director of programming and acquisitions, said the worldwide leader will bring its NBA Countdown team of Stage Steele, Doug Collins and Jalen Rose outside at LA Live at 7 p.m. (ET).

ESPN, which has parked its “RV” campaign in favor of its more fan-centric “This is Your Game” marketing campaign, will also televise a live performance from international recording artist Aloe Blacc on Oct. 29.

The pregame festivities will precede the worldwide leader’s doubleheader on Oct. 30 that features Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls invading Madison Square Garden to face Carmelo Anthony’s New York Knicks, with the Oklahoma City Thunder squaring off against the Portland Trailblazers in the nightcap.

There will also be a host of activities in downtown Cleveland’s Gateway District preceding LeBron James’s first home game versus the Knicks on Thursday. Turner Sports will televise a musical performance from Kendrick Lamar, whose new single “i” provides the musical backdrop to the NBA on TNT’s start of season coverage. With a special guest appearance by Kevin Hart with host Kristen Ledlow, the hour-long NBA on TNT Coming Home Thursday presented by Samsung Galaxy Note 4 special begins at 7 p.m.

Located just outside of Quicken Loans Arena, the free fan event will open at 4 p.m. and feature appearances by the Cavalier Girls dance team, the Scream Team hip-hop troupe and more. Once the game tips off, the event will serve as a viewing party for fans with the TNT broadcast showcased on the massive LED screens that will be set up in the space.

TNT’s doubleheader that night concludes with Los Angeles Clippers hosting OKC.

On Halloween night, ESPN’s doubleheader pits Chicago versus Cleveland, followed by the battle of the Staples Center tenants, with the Lakers serving as the home team against Steve Ballmer’s men.

NBA TV gets into the doubleheader act on Saturday, Nov. 1 with Minnesota-Chicago and the Lakers versus former TNT analyst Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors.