San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is currently recovering from a mild stroke, with the timeline for his return to the team remaining uncertain. The Spurs organization is closely monitoring his health and wellbeing during this time.
In the latest update, Jeff Zillgitt has delved into Popovich’s medical condition, examining its implications for the Spurs and their ongoing season. The basketball community is rallying behind Popovich as he takes the necessary time to heal.
In a surprising turn of events for basketball fans, TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” featuring beloved commentators Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, will not be leaving the airwaves as previously speculated.
Instead, the iconic NBA show is set to transition to ESPN, following a strategic agreement that sees Warner Bros. Discovery licensing the rights to “Inside the NBA” to ESPN. This arrangement was confirmed to USA TODAY Sports by a source close to the negotiation, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the deal.
As ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery work to finalize the arrangement, they also addressed the recently settled lawsuit concerning the NBA, permitting Warner Bros. to develop NBA content for audiences in North America and abroad. This settlement ensures that Warner Bros. retains its digital operations while continuing to produce quality basketball programming, according to The Wall Street Journal, which broke the news of “Inside the NBA” continuing beyond this current season.
The backdrop to this transition includes the NBA’s recent groundbreaking 11-year, $76 billion television deal with major networks including ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. Notably, TNT was left out of this lucrative agreement, prompting Warner Bros. Discovery to initiate legal action against the NBA, claiming a breach of contract.
Although TNT is set to lose its rights to broadcast NBA games after the 2024-25 season, the future of “Inside the NBA” appeared bleak. However, Ernie Johnson expressed his commitment to staying with the network, emphasizing that the show fundamentally relies on his leadership to guide the dialogue. Barkley echoed these sentiments, stating that even if all four hosts were to migrate to another network, the essence of the show would be irrevocably altered.
Recognizing the show’s immense popularity and critical fanbase, ESPN has diligently crafted a plan to ensure “Inside the NBA” remains a staple of basketball programming through this innovative arrangement.
Additional details regarding this pivotal deal are anticipated to be revealed in the coming week.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
How might the transition of “Inside the NBA” to ESPN influence its viewership and engagement?
**Interview with Jeff Zillgitt on Gregg Popovich’s Recovery and the NBA’s Recent Changes**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone, to our special segment today. We’re fortunate to have with us Jeff Zillgitt, a noted sports journalist who has been closely following the health of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and the latest developments in the NBA. Jeff, thank you for being here.
**Jeff Zillgitt:** Thanks for having me. It’s great to be here.
**Host:** Let’s start with Gregg Popovich’s situation. He recently suffered a mild stroke. What can you tell us about his condition and the implications for the Spurs this season?
**Jeff Zillgitt:** Well, Popovich is currently recovering, and while the Spurs have labeled it a mild stroke, any health issue like this is taken very seriously. The team is closely monitoring his wellbeing, and understandably, there’s no clear timetable for his return. This situation impacts the Spurs in terms of leadership and strategy, considering Popovich’s immense influence on the team.
**Host:** Absolutely. It must be a challenging time for the organization. How do you see the team managing in his absence?
**Jeff Zillgitt:** In the short term, the Spurs will rely heavily on their coaching staff and veteran players to fill the leadership void. There may be an adjustment period, but the team has shown resilience in the past. They are focusing on supporting Popovich during his recovery, which is crucial.
**Host:** Indeed. Now shifting gears, I understand there’s also some big news regarding “Inside the NBA.” Can you give us an overview of what’s happening there?
**Jeff Zillgitt:** Certainly! ”Inside the NBA,” hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, will not be leaving the airwaves after all. Instead, the beloved show is transitioning to ESPN, following a strategic agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. This move is significant for sports broadcasting and reflects the ongoing changes in how content is being distributed.
**Host:** That’s quite noteworthy! Given the stature of “Inside the NBA,” how do you think this transition will affect the show’s fanbase?
**Jeff Zillgitt:** The show has a dedicated following, and the transition should be relatively smooth. Fans love the chemistry between the hosts, and as long as that dynamic remains intact, I believe they will continue to support the show in its new home. It’s a fresh chapter, and it will be interesting to see how they evolve within ESPN.
**Host:** Thanks for sharing that insight, Jeff. It sounds like there’s a lot happening in the world of basketball right now, both in terms of health and media. Do you have any final thoughts as we wrap this up?
**Jeff Zillgitt:** Just that the basketball community continues to rally behind Coach Popovich during his recovery, and it’s a reminder of how important he is to the sport. For fans, it’s an exciting time with “Inside the NBA” staying relevant, and we should all look forward to more action on and off the court in the coming months.
**Host:** Absolutely. Thank you so much for your time, Jeff. We appreciate your insights and look forward to more updates!
**Jeff Zillgitt:** Thank you for having me!
