ESPN dealt fresh Inside the NBA blow as bidding finalists for $13B Las Vegas franchise emerge
ESPN dealt fresh Inside the NBA blow as bidding finalists for $13B Las Vegas franchise emerge
Joseph McBrideThu, October 1, 2026 at 11:58 PM UTC
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Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley could both leave Inside the NBA after this season -Credit:2026 NBAE
Inside the NBA as we know it is coming to an abrupt halt at the end of the 2026-27 season, but the iconic crew could be ripped apart quicker than expected.
The upcoming NBA season is expected to be a blockbuster, with LeBron James pushing for a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have built a superteam this year. The NBA will also award a Las Vegas expansion franchise, with final ownership costs expected to be at least $12 billion.
Charles Barkley has announced that he plans to step away from the spotlight after this upcoming season, with the NBA legend confirming his retirement from broadcasting. However, his fellow Inside the NBA star could be set for a career change, as he's involved in one of the Vegas ownership bids.
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The NBA is reviewing three final groups bidding for ownership of the Las Vegas expansion, with consortia facing payments of between $12 billion and $13 billion for the franchise and a new arena. One of those groups is fronted by Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry.
According to Stephen A. Smith, his friend, former NBA player, and Inside the NBA star Kenny Smith is part of that group. Stephen A. announced the news on Thursday's edition of First Take and endorsed Kenny's involvement.
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"Now I’m hearing a lot of things, and I’m hearing he’s a part of that," he said of Kenny Smith. "And if he’s a part of that, obviously, you’re talking about somebody who I consider to be a brilliant basketball mind that would probably be your president of basketball operations.
"If you’re smart, that’s exactly what the hell he would be because Kenny 'The Jet' Smith needs to be running a basketball franchise." Stephen A. also praised Bob Iger's role as an NBA owner and hopes that Smith can join the ownership club.
"The next best thing is the possibility of Kenny ‘the Jet’ Smith being part of this ownership group and running basketball operations and being in the NBA," he added. "I’m looking at this, and I’m getting very excited at the possibility.
"And I wanted to come on national television right now, to let everybody know… you got billionaires, you got the dollars, and you got Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith. I would love it if that happens. I’m rooting for my brother and his group to get the Las Vegas franchise."
Inside the NBA's future has been uncertain since the show left TNT -Credit:Getty
Should Smith and his group be successful, it would almost certainly end his association with Inside the NBA. Show host Ernie Johnson is also nearing his retirement, and Barkley announced that this season would be his last.
It's hard to imagine Shaquille O'Neal will continue without his longtime co-stars, meaning Inside the NBA fans should make the most of this season. Especially after Barkley made his announcement.
While speaking to the media at the 11th annual Bruce, Barkley, and Basketball Golf Classic at Auburn, as a proud alumnus, Barkley discussed his plans. "I'm looking forward to this last year," he said.
"TV has been great to me. I'm gonna take a step back from public life. I'm always coming to Auburn, though. I'm going to make that perfectly clear."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
