One of the biggest decisions the NBA made regarding its broadcast coverage revolved around Inside the NBA. One of the most popular talk shows in sports, the unmatched chemistry between its core four made it a highlight for basketball fans worldwide. After months of speculation, it was confirmed that the show would be shifting its home to ESPN after the league’s partnership with TNT came to an end.
Its first return was absolutely electric as the usually comedic pairing had another blockbuster night as the NBA opened the 2025-26 season. But they brought a unique twist to one of the show’s staples by converting “Who He Play For?” into a first-of-its-kind “Who He Broadcast For?”
Charles Barkley was once again the man answering the questions; as you can imagine, it was hilarity of the finest kind.
Charles Barkley Puts a Unique Twist on Inside the NBA
Typically an exercise in hilarity as the legendary Hall of Famer tries to guess which team a particular player belongs to, the comedy increased multifold as the focus shifted to the broadcasting booth this time.
Sports Broadcast Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson conducted the questionnaire once again, as Barkley tried to remain confident, stating, “I think I’m going to do well.” Immediately, Shaquille O’Neal placed a bet against the former MVP, faring well in the game.
The first name on the list was someone who has recently become a regular of the announcing crew, the son of NBA champion head coach Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers. Barkley, with zero hesitation, claimed it was Amazon.
Unfortunately, the answer was NBC, even as Johnson tried to placate his partner: “It was close.” As he tried to argue that he hadn’t seen him the previous night, the next name on the list was the father of the greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry, Dell Curry.
Chuck plays “Who he broadcast for?”
Guess how many he got right? pic.twitter.com/38pIXxjomm
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 23, 2025
The Chuckster was far less confident this time, as he threw out Fox Sports as a guess. Again, He was incorrect with the Charlotte Hornets legend working with Amazon. Next on the list was Brent Barry, whom the crew tried to distract Barkley by shouting “MTV” at.
Unperturbed, he chose Amazon with far more confidence and finally landed a correct answer. Next on the list was Allie LaForce, one of the longest tenured members of the NBA broadcasting tree.
As he hesitantly offered, “She works with us, right? ESPN,” the answer turned out to be incorrect once again, as LaForce was with TNT. Finally, the last name on the list was John Wick star and a 7-foot-4 Serbian powerhouse, Boban Marjanović.
Ending the game hot, Barkley correctly guessed ESPN, claiming he had seen him the other night on their broadcast. Ultimately, he guessed just two out of five correctly, giving O’Neal victory in his bet.
