Basketball legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal anticipates that ESPN will increase the frequency of its popular pre-game show, ‘Inside the NBA,’ in its upcoming second season. This change comes in response to a growing demand from fans for more broadcasts.
In a conversation with the Daily Mail just hours before the March Madness national championship game in Indianapolis, O’Neal shared his insights on the show’s first season after its move from TNT to ESPN, known as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.”
“It’s essentially the same team and atmosphere, just on a different network,” O’Neal explained to the Daily Mail. “Charles [Barkley] had some concerns about our reduced presence, but honestly, I’m okay with not being on during the regular season.
“This is the time when people really need to hear from us. Once the playoffs begin, you can expect to see us frequently, and we will undoubtedly dominate the airwaves.”
Previously, ‘Inside the NBA’ was a regular fixture on TNT, airing every Tuesday and Thursday during the NBA season. However, since moving to ESPN, the show has been broadcast only 19 times this regular season, with a final episode scheduled for this Sunday.
O’Neal is optimistic that, following fan feedback about the limited number of episodes, ESPN will make a concerted effort to feature ‘Inside’ more often next year.
Shaquille O’Neal believes ESPN will adjust its schedule to air ‘Inside the NBA’ more often
The popular NBA show with O’Neal (far left), Ernie Johnson (center left), Kenny Smith (center right) and Charles Barkley (far right) is airing on ESPN for its first season after being on TNT
‘[The] feedback is they don’t get to see us a lot,’ O’Neal added. ‘So I’m sure [it was] because it was new to everybody.
‘So I’m sure ESPN is gonna make some adjustments, and, you know, we’ll definitely be on more next year. But through playoffs, I think the playoffs start in a couple weeks, you will definitely see us.’
O’Neal was in Indianapolis to watch the Final Four and to promote his latest sponsored product, Shaq-A-Licious Slams, a candy collaboration with the Hershey Company.
But he wasn’t the only O’Neal in town. His son, Shaqir, was taking part in the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships.
Shaqir, a senior who played at Sacramento State, was victorious in the dunk contest with some acrobatic moves at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
‘I’m proud of him,’ Shaq said of his son’s performance. ‘I always trust my kids when people pay to see them run the show.
‘I know he made every dunk. And I don’t know why the other kids were missing four or five dunks, but you know, you can’t expect to win a contest and get you know fans by missing four or five dunks.
‘So I was impressed with the dunks he picked. I was impressed. You know, he made them.
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O’Neal was promoting his latest collab with Hershey’s, a candy called Shaq-a-Licious Slams
In Indianapolis, O’Neal hosted an episode of his show – ‘The Big Podcast’ – on Monday
O’Neal also announced the creation of a new dunking league that he is creating and leading
O’Neal knows all about dunking, having completed plenty of high flying techniques in his NBA career.
Now, he’s turning that knowledge and passion into a sports league dedicated to only dunking.
The ‘DUNKMAN’ league will feature 24 contestants in a round-robin format – with the winners fighting for a world championship and a grand prize of $500,000.
‘These athletes are innovators and DUNKMAN is going to give them a global stage, real stakes, and a chance to build careers doing what they love,’ O’Neal, who is the league’s founder and first commissioner, said in a statement.
‘We are transforming dunking from a one-night contest to the fastest growing professional sport off two feet.’
