A new show is in the works for the “Inside the NBA” cast; Mike Tirico works a guest assignment for the Today show; Kenny Albert will take over the New York Rangers on TV; and more.
TNT developing new show for “Inside” cast
In an appearance with Jimmy Traina‘s SI Media Podcast, TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley said that TNT is working on developing a show for the Inside the NBA cast despite the network’s loss of NBA rights. Barkley did not disclose details on the format, but hinted that it would be a taped show that airs once or twice a month.
Barkley again expressed displeasure with his company’s handling of NBA rights negotiations, saying that the network has still never directly informed its employees about the loss of NBA rights, and never informed the Inside cast about the show’s licensing deal with ESPN prior to the news breaking last fall. Despite the frustrations, Barkley shared he is committing to TNT — including the work for ESPN — for 2-3 additional seasons, but expressed concern about the workload required to work a TNT show in addition to the continuation of Inside the NBA on ESPN and ABC. Barkley emphasized he will not be appearing on ESPN’s daytime studio lineup — his role will be limited to Inside airings, mostly on Saturdays.
Barkley also shared he was offered a role with NBC’s coverage that he declined due to the workload required. NBC had requested he to work Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night NBA coverage, in addition to appearances with the Kentucky Derby and Olympics.
Mike Tirico hosts “TODAY”
NBC’s Mike Tirico worked a one-time guest hosting assignment Tuesday on the network’s “Today” morning news show. Tirico is no stranger to the program — he has appeared on multiple occasions in the past to cover sports — but this was his most extensive appearance, in which he was seated at the desk alongside Savannah Guthrie reading the day’s world news and political headlines. Tirico also recapped the previous night’s WNBA Draft and the Masters.
Though Tirico appeared comfortable in the role, his appearance did not suggest he is poised for a more significant position with NBC News. After the recent departure of Lester Holt from the Nightly News desk, Tirico is arguably the most prominent personality at the network, save for Guthrie and perhaps Jimmy Fallon.
Albert to succeed Rosen on MSG
New York Rangers radio voice Kenny Albert will replace the retiring Sam Rosen beginning next season in the MSG Network TV play-by-play booth, the network announced Tuesday. Albert, whose busy schedule also includes national NHL games for TNT and the NFL on Fox, has worked Rangers radio broadcasts since 1995, when he replaced his father Marv in the same role.
The voice of the Stanley Cup Finals on TNT will join Knicks TV voice and ABC NBA Finals announcer Mike Breen on MSG’s roster of championship-level announcers calling local games for the New York audience.
Plus: El Clasico, Banana Ball, men’s gymnastics
— The May 11 edition of the FC Barcelona-Real Madrid El Clasico rivalry will air on ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes, the network announced Monday. The ESPN telecast will be the first league play edition of the rivalry to air on a English-language linear network since the company took over rights in 2021. The match will air at 10:15 AM and be preceded by extensive studio coverage in the days leading up to the meeting. ABC simulcast a meeting of the two teams in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this year.
— The Savannah Bananas, the touring baseball exhibition spectacle, have announced a new deal with ESPN to air Friday and Saturday night games on ESPN and ESPN2, with all games simulcasts on ESPN+ and Disney+. The first event will be Saturday, April 26 from Memorial Stadium at Clemson on ESPN2. Events have previously aired on a limited basis on ESPN+, as part of the “Ocho” summer programming stunt, and were featured in a ESPN+ documentary in 2022. Events also aired on truTV last year.
— 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Brody Malone will debut as a TV analyst for ESPN’s coverage of this weekend’s NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship. Malone will work alongside Bart Conner for qualifying sessions Thursday on ESPN+ and the finals Saturday night on ESPN2. The event is airing on ESPN for the first time as part of the new rights agreement with the NCAA.
