NBA Makes Turner Deal Official

Some five months after the NBA was reported to be considering handing off operation of NBA TV and NBA.com to an outside media company, we (finally) have an official announcement: Turner Sports is taking over.

In a statement released today, the NBA said Turner will grab the reins by the start of next season. The changes will be huge, I'm guessing, but one in particular will make (most) NBA fans clap their hands loudly.

On-air talent from the Emmy Award-winning NBA on TNT and TNT's Inside the NBA will appear on NBA TV.

To quote TNT's finest... YES!!! It's not yet clear whether Turner will add more weekly programming starring Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, but it seems likely from our view on the shore. TNT also boasts some of the league's best announcers (Marv Albert, for starters) so some additional content on the NBA TV side would be welcome.

The web operations switch is a bit of a surprise, really. The NBA worked overtime the past year to get its web presence up to quality (and it is good); if TNT's MySpace profile is any indication, the .com will remain in good hands.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-17-2008 @ 9:09PM

Bobz said...

marv albert haha i remember when he got fired like 10 years ago for abusing his mistress, gettin all crazy with whips and chains, and more specifically Biting. haha supa freak. now his son also does commentary

1-18-2008 @ 12:01AM

Argden said...

Honestly they're the worst not the best. Charles I'm a big shot oh mouth Barkley and the rest of that crew are only good when Magic steps in to help them. I really don't give a damn what they say, I don't watch them, I paid extra for League Pass so I don't have to except on Thursdays. Want to see and/or hear what it should sound like listen to Mark Zumoff on Sixers broadcasts, that is a true professional. JMO as always

1-18-2008 @ 12:26AM

Dannie said...

Marc Zumoff is great but I am a Phila guy so I am biased. But also being Phila guy I do like Charles he is made for TV. That doesn't me everyones TV which has never been the case with regards to Barkleys personality.

http://reclinergm.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/the-1984-nba-draft-how-it-changed-basketball-forever/

1-18-2008 @ 2:22AM

michel said...

Ernie and Kenny Smith are valid enough (and reasonably objective) as commentators but the rest of the TNT team is questionable, at best.
Doug Collins cooes so much over the Lakers that one suspects he's going to climax with each Kobe hog-fest.For example, in the Suns victory over the Fakers, (the Suns lacking Grant Hill) the loss of the Laker's Andrew Bynum is given as probably the only reason for the Sun's victory!! PFFFF! The refs were making every call in favor of the Lakers to help insure another Lakers dynasty in the Pacific Conference. Unfortunately for the NBA, TNT and the rest of the biased media, the superior play of the Suns shut their loud and arrogant mouths!
The current TNT management would love to see Miami an Cleveland in the east along with the perrenial Pistons and the incredible Celts! But in the West, they couldn't care less who does well as long as the big-market Lakers dominate. Thats pathetic, considering the Suns and the Warriors are really the strong teams besides San Antonio and Dallas! Portland an Utah are also making a poush in the West and Denver shouldn't be left out! Why is TNT only interested in the Lakers?