Kenny “The Jet” Smith is embracing the considered being a free agent.
The “Contained in the NBA” persona is likely to be coming into his final 12 months with TNT — the place he’s been for greater than 20 years — if the community’s guardian firm, Warner Brothers Discovery loses its bid for the NBA’s media rights with the following contract beginning within the 2025-26 season.
Many would really feel uneasy concerning the unknown, however not Smith.
The previous two-time NBA champ is sitting again and having fun with being courted for his on-air prowess.
“Effectively, I’m feeling nice beginning the season. I really feel like the gorgeous lady on the dance the place everybody desires to probably take you to the promenade,” Smith instructed The Put up whereas discussing FanDuel’s new promotion, which features a League Go provide forward of the 2024-25 NBA season, on Wednesday. “I’m speaking concerning the different networks [laughs], or the staying on the identical community [TNT] and doing a hybrid present — for us, a hybrid-type present.
“So for me, it’s an attention-grabbing time being a free agent. I used to be joking [previously], however I feel I’m going to do it now. I’m going to ultimately do the LeBron [James] and say ‘I’m taking my abilities to — and I’m going to have all the children round me like him… I feel in 30 days I’m going to search out me a Boys and Women Membership someplace and do my announcement.”
Smith was referencing when James introduced he was taking his “abilities” from the Cavaliers to Warmth for the 2010 NBA season in a tv particular, entitled “The Choice,” on ESPN.
“Nevertheless it’s numerous enjoyable. If it’s basketball, it’s me. It’s nice to be coveted by so many individuals, even TNT as properly,” Smith, 59, mentioned. “Like I mentioned, making an attempt to create one thing that will reside longer than that, or different networks. Nevertheless it’s basketball, it’s me. That is what I do. I’ve performed it for a number of many years. I’ve put myself and I feel our present has put themselves able the place we are able to all do one thing collectively and all do one thing individually, or we are able to all do it collectively.
“I have a look at us as ‘Seinfeld,’ with us group of fellows… however we’re all nice individually as properly. It’s numerous enjoyable.”
Smith, alongside together with his “Contained in the NBA” co-hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson, have been on the middle of hypothesis concerning the Emmy Award-winning present’s future after 4 many years on TNT.
The NBA and TNT’s present broadcast offers run by means of the 2025-26 season, together with all through the 2025 Western Convention Finals.
In July, the NBA secured 11-year agreements to air video games on Amazon Prime Video and NBC, whereas additionally airing video games throughout Disney platforms, ESPN and ABC.
On the time, TNT mentioned it matched Amazon’s provide “as we have now a contractual proper to do, and don’t consider the NBA can reject” a bid.
“We expect they’ve grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and past, and we’ll take applicable motion,” TNT mentioned in its assertion. “We glance ahead, nevertheless, to a different nice season of the NBA on TNT and Max, together with our iconic Contained in the NBA.”
The NBA responded in an announcement that Warner Bros. Discovery’s “most up-to-date proposal didn’t match the phrases of Amazon Prime Video’s provide, and due to this fact, we have now entered right into a long-term association with Amazon.”
That deal is an 11-year $1.8 billion annual contract.
In August, the NBA requested the New York Supreme Courtroom to dismiss a lawsuit by Warner Bros. Discovery, which was filed the earlier month and alleged a breach of contract by the NBA over its rejection of the WBD deal in an effort to settle for Amazon Prime Video’s provide.
In September, each side agreed to an “expedited decision” of the case with a trial set for April 2025 on the newest if the lawsuit in opposition to the NBA shouldn’t be summarily dismissed.
There was additionally buzz concerning the “Contained in the NBA” crew recreating the famed studio present on one other community.
Nonetheless, Barkley shut down that concept over the summer season and mentioned he has an opt-out in his contract earlier this 12 months
Johnson reportedly intends to stick with TNT.
O’Neal, who turned the president of Reebok basketball in October 2023, has but to disclose his future plans. He joined TNT after his NBA retirement in 2011.
The “Contained in the NBA” crew returns to the airwaves for particular protection of NBA opening evening when the Celtics host the Knicks on Oct. 22.
TNT will tape a reside present at Metropolis Corridor Plaza, with particular performances by Shaboozey and Benson Boone.
New clients who guess $5 on FanDuel will obtain three free months of NBA League Go and $200 in Bonus Bets. Current clients who guess $5 may even get three free months of League Go.
