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Bill Simmons Warns ESPN Is Going To Ruin Beloved Show

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 11:14 AM ET

Bill Simmons doesn't seem to believe his former employer is equipped to continue the success of "Inside the NBA" when it shifts over to ESPN from TNT later this year.

On the latest episode of his self-titled podcast, the Ringer founder claimed the Worldwide Leader is going to "[f—] the show up" with how it runs it's programming.

"I think ESPN is gonna [expletive] the show up. I think they're gonna [expletive] the show up," Simmons told guests Ryen Russillo and Van Lathan. "Unless they completely change how they do commercials, the show is gonna to be different and people are going to be pissed. And Barkley and those guys are going to be pissed, and I think it's gonna go badly."

"I think ESPN is gonna f--- this show up."@BillSimmons explains why he's not optimistic about the future of 'Inside the NBA.' pic.twitter.com/R9zuJvrJoK
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 1, 2025

"The only way it doesn't go badly is if they do the commercials and they give them the lengthy segments that you need to have that show work. They're going to have to change how they do it," he continued.

"They just paid so much for the NBA that if they don't do that and they do these same short, terrible segments that you're about to see in the Finals... they're going to [expletive] the show up and everybody's going to be mad. If they mess with any piece of this everyone's gonna be mad."

Few shows in the history of sports television have been as successful as TNT's "Inside the NBA" and for good reason.

But in order for the show to be at it's best, the network has to let Ernie, Shaq, Kenny and Chuck do what they do — and that doesn't currently fit into ESPN's commercial-driven formula.

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: NBA on TNT analysts, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr.,Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley talk with CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Austin Janning/NBAE via Getty Images)Austin Janning/Getty Images

On "Inside's" final show, Charles Barkley said he's excited for the new opportunity at ESPN. Telling the network:

"It's going to be an honor and a privilege to work for you guys. You guys are the No. 1 sports network in history. I'm excited for it. You guys got some tremendous talents over there. I'm looking forward to co-working with those guys."

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

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