Shaquille O’Neal Secures $15 Million Yearly Deal with TNT Sports

ATLANTA, Georgia — Shaquille O’Neal has finalized a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports, reportedly worth over $15 million annually, as confirmed by Front Office Sports on February 14, 2025. This agreement appears favorable for TNT, which will license O’Neal’s Emmy Award-winning show, Inside the NBA, to ESPN starting next season.

The new deal ensures O’Neal’s continued role on the show, a significant concern for fans and insiders alike when news broke of the licensing transition. O’Neal, who has been a fixture on Inside the NBA since 2011, enjoyed a storied 19-year playing career in the NBA, securing four championships along the way.

Charles Barkley, a fellow star on Inside the NBA, is a major player in this roster. Barkley has a lucrative deal totaling $21 million per year, stemming from a 10-year extension he signed in 2022. Despite attracting interest from NBC, Amazon, and ESPN, Barkley reaffirmed his commitment to TNT. “I’m gonna cancel future meetings with Amazon. My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports,” Barkley stated during an episode of their Steam Room podcast.

In addition to O’Neal and Barkley, sources indicate that Kenny “The Jet” Smith is also expected to sign a new multi-year deal with TNT, ensuring continuity among the show’s central figures. Ernie Johnson Jr., the veteran host, is anticipated to remain as a crucial part of the broadcast, as the show continues to be produced from the same Atlanta studio.

O’Neal’s new contract significantly alters the landscape as NBC and Amazon are actively seeking to acquire leading basketball talent in anticipation of their own upcoming NBA coverage. NBC, for instance, is expected to announce pivotal hires for its studio coverage soon, aiming to bolster its basketball programming with well-regarded analysts.

Comparatively, the media landscape features a range of high-paying broadcasting personalities. Tom Brady reportedly tops this list at Fox Sports with a staggering $37.5 million per year. Barkley’s annual salary of $21 million positions him as the second highest, while ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is also in negotiation for a five-year deal that could reach $100 million.

As the 2025-2026 NBA season approaches, the competition among networks for top-tier talent appears fierce. The involvement of major networks like Disney’s ABC and ESPN, NBCUniversal’s NBC, and Amazon’s Prime Video indicates the growing value and appeal of basketball broadcasting rights.

Front Office Sports staff member Ryan Glasspiegel contributed to this report.