Shaquille O’Neal has proven to be nearly as successful as a commentator as he was on the court, and his efforts are being rewarded. The legendary center, now immortalized in the Hall of Fame, has signed a lucrative long-term deal with TNT Sports, securing his spot on the show for the foreseeable future.
>This announcement comes just as “Inside The NBA” makes its debut on ESPN, following TNT losing the rights to NBA broadcasts. However, TNT will continue to license the program to both ESPN and ABC, starting next season. >There was still uncertainty about whether the four members of the show (Ernie Johnson and former NBA players Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and O’Neal) would remain part of the team. >However, Barkley revealed that he would stay with TNT for the remainder of his 10-year contract, which still has seven years left, and people expect Johnson and Smith to continue with the program as well.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal signs a multimillion-dollar contract
O’Neal jokingly suggested just one day before that the team “would fire them anyway” after former NFL player Marshawn Lynch. Appeared on the show and used several expletives during his segment.
At 52 years old, reports say O’Neal earned nearly $300 million over his 17-year NBA career. Not including the additional earnings from endorsement deals that continued after his playing days. >With this new contract, he is expected to earn over $15 million annually, according to Front Office Sports. >As of today, he is among the highest-paid commentators in the industry. More than a decade after starting his broadcasting career. TNT will continue to produce “Inside The NBA,” keeping production in its iconic Atlanta studio. >The show’s exact format remains a mystery, according to various sources, and it is possible that it will air fewer times per season.
