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TNT Makes Contract Decision On NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 11:52 AM ET

In the wake of Inside the NBA being licensed from TNT Sports to ESPN, there has been a lot of speculation that talents such as Shaquille O'Neal might go elsewhere. This week, TNT Sports made their own decision on Shaq's future with the network.

According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Shaq has agreed to a "enormous" long-term deal with TNT Sports worth over $15 million per year.

"Shaquille O’Neal has an agreement in place for an enormous long-term deal with TNT Sports that will pay him over $15 million per year, Front Office Sports has learned," McCarthy wrote. "The deal is good news for TNT as it licenses the Emmy Award–winning Inside the NBA to ESPN next season in exchange for a package of Big 12 college football/basketball games."

BREAKING: Shaquille O'Neal has an agreement in place for an enormous long-term deal with TNT Sports that will pay him over $15 million a year, sources tell @FOS.

Check out our new 'Tuned In' column by myself and @sportsrapport. ⏬https://t.co/QTDTbine85
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) February 14, 2025

News of the deal comes merely a day after Shaq went viral with a joke where he dropped an F-bomb and said "we're all getting fired anyway."

Shaq:

"In the words of Marshawn Lynch, I'm tired as sh*t, America. We are getting fired anyway, Ernie. Fu*k it.”

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/7AWqX2qi86
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 14, 2025

Either TNT Sports had a sudden change of heart after seeing that clip and wanted to speed up the extension process, or Shaq was just memeing during the halftime report.

At any rate, fans are delighted to hear that Shaq is going to be staying with the group of four for the foreseeable future.

"The first domino. Everybody on the Inside NBA panel will receive a hefty raise before the official move," one user predicted.

"The Diesel got a high-octane deal."

"One of the four main reasons to watch this weekend’s @NBAonTNT All-Star Game from San Francisco. Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and of course, the incomparable, Charles Barkley. Second to none @MMcCarthyREV."

"Don't see the long-term value in TNT paying over $40M to keep this quartet together without NBA rights, but as an NBA fan I'm happy they are."

"Most successful F bomb in TV history," another declared.

Shaquille O'Neal has been a part of Inside the NBA since 2011 and together with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith forms one of the most beloved sports shows on television.

That core four will now be doing the show for what appears to be many years to come.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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