After 36 years of iconic NBA coverage, TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ aired its final episode on TNT, marking the end of an era for basketball fans. The farewell was emotional, with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith receiving custom-made rings to commemorate their time on the show.
What an incredible moment by TNT honoring the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew with rings 💍
(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/vk0QQZ5lGH
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 2, 2025
However, a viral video showing Shaq wiping his eyes during the final broadcast led to speculation that he was overcome with emotion.
O’Neal, however, insists that he wasn’t crying—he was simply dealing with allergies.
Following the farewell episode, O’Neal appeared on The Pivot Podcast to address the viral moment. He firmly denied shedding tears, attributing his watery eyes to allergies rather than sentimentality.
“No, I wasn’t crying. First of all, I don’t have emotions. I was raised by a drill sergeant, so I don’t have… So I have allergies and my eye leaks a lot, so like right now it’s leaking, so I was going like this. So, of course, when you have that moment, it makes it look emotional. I don’t get emotional,” O’Neal explained.
While fans may find it hard to believe that Shaq wasn’t moved by the farewell, he doubled down on his claim, stating that he has only cried three times in his life—when his grandmother, father, and sister passed away.
“I was raised where I’m not allowed to have emotions. I only cried twice… three times. Grandmother’s death, father’s death, and sister’s death, and not because I was sad, [but] because I forgot to tell them thank you,” he added.
Despite the emotional farewell, O’Neal reassured fans that the show’s core cast will remain intact. While TNT will no longer broadcast NBA games, Inside the NBA will continue under a new format, produced by TNT but distributed by ABC/ESPN.
“If you look at the reality of the situation, we all re-signed, we’re going to be there, we’re shooting in the same place, everybody’s coming back, the name and the title are going to be different,” Shaq said.
However, he did express concerns about whether the new network would allow the same unfiltered, comedic style that made Inside the NBA so beloved.
“Only thing I’m concerned with is we’re going on a bigger network—will they be able to handle our shenanigans? Can Charles talk about fat women in San Antonio? Can we talk about people’s hairlines and, you know, make them cut their hair? That’s the only thing I’m worried about, but it’s a new beginning, it’s a new challenge, and I’m hoping it’s something that we can step up to,” O’Neal remarked.
Whether Shaq was truly holding back tears or simply dealing with allergies, his farewell moment resonated with fans who have cherished Inside the NBA for decades. As the show transitions to a new home, its legacy remains intact, and O’Neal, Barkley, Johnson, and Smith will continue to entertain audiences—just under a different banner.
