Shaquille O’Neal has reached a long-term agreement with TNT Sports, securing a salary of over $15 million per year. This deal ensures his continued presence on Inside the NBA, which will air on ESPN next season as part of a rights exchange with TNT.
O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, has been a key figure on the show since joining in 2011 after his 19-year playing career. With a net worth estimated at $500 million, O’Neal remains one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media, supported by his numerous endorsement deals.
Charles Barkley Remains Committed to TNT
Charles Barkley, Inside the NBA’s most prominent analyst, is staying with TNT under his existing 10-year, $210 million contract. Despite interest from NBC, Amazon, and ESPN, Barkley made it clear he would not entertain outside offers. He expressed hope that the transition from Inside the NBA to ESPN would be smooth and that he could continue working with TNT.
Kenny “The Jet” Smith is also expected to sign a new multi-year deal with the network, while longtime host Ernie Johnson, considered a TNT staple, will likely remain with the show as it continues to be produced in Atlanta.
Shaquille O’Neal (NBA)With O’Neal committed to TNT, NBC and Amazon are moving forward with their own NBA coverage plans. NBC is finalizing deals to bring in Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst, along with Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford as lead commentators.
Maria Taylor is expected to host NBC’s NBA studio programming, while Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will provide play-by-play coverage. Meanwhile, Amazon has hired Taylor Rooks as a host, with Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin joining as analysts. Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is also expected to explore media opportunities with Amazon once he retires.
Top-Paid Personalities in Sports Media
O’Neal’s new contract solidifies his place among the highest-paid figures in sports media. However, he still trails behind industry leaders like Tom Brady, who earns $37.5 million annually from Fox Sports. Charles Barkley is second at $21 million per year, followed by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who is expected to finalize a five-year, $100 million deal.
Other major earners include ESPN’s Troy Aikman and CBS’s Tony Romo at $18 million each, ESPN’s Pat McAfee at $17 million, and Joe Buck at $15 million. Peyton Manning also ranks among the top earners, though his exact salary is intertwined with Omaha Productions, which has a long-term contract with ESPN.
Starting in the 2025-2026 season, NBA games will be broadcast across ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video under a massive 11-year, $77 billion agreement. This marks a major shift in the way fans will consume NBA content, with multiple networks investing heavily in securing top analysts and commentators.
With established figures like O’Neal and Barkley staying with TNT, and new voices like Carmelo Anthony and Draymond Green entering the media space, NBA coverage is set for significant changes in the coming years.