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NBA on TNT signs off: Shaq, Chuck, Kenny, & Ernie give touching goodbye after network's final 'Inside the NBA'

Daniel Chavkin

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NBA on TNT signs off: Shaq, Chuck, Kenny, & Ernie give touching goodbye after network's final 'Inside the NBA' image

NBA on TNT broadcast its final game on Saturday, as the Pacers defeated the Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals.

The network has been broadcasting NBA games since 1989, but it was unable to extend its current contract with the league. Next season, NBC and Amazon will pick up NBA coverage along with ESPN as TNT pivots to other sports.

In the aftermath of its final NBA broadcast, viewers and TNT employees, both current and former, flooded social media with tributes, saying goodbye to the era of basketball. Additionally, the network had one final send-off live from Indiana.

While Inside the NBA lives on next year, it will be on a different network, as ESPN will air the wildly popular show. However, it won't be exactly the same as it was when TNT was at the helm.

Here's how the NBA on TNT said goodbye.

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NBA on TNT sign-off

The sign-off actually started in the Pacers' postgame ceremony, when head coach Rick Carlisle thanked Ernie Johnson and TNT for their coverage.

"Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that's coming to an end," Carlisle said. "We're all very sad about that. But you're a man of great class. Congrats."

Then, Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy, and Allie LaForce signed off for the final time. As part of the sign-off, TNT aired a montage of many of the broadcasters the network employed over 36 years.

"Our hearts are full of gratitude, not sadness, but gratitude and happiness for what has been," Harlan said. "It has been an honor, it has been a privilege, and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we have.

Then, it was Inside the NBA's turn to say goodbye to TNT, and it was surely memorable. First, TNT added its own crew to the final edition of "Gone Fishin'"

Shaquille O'Neal had a very explicit goodbye, as he dropped a curse on his way out in the final episode on TNT.

Kenny Smith, who has been with the network 1998, echoed O'Neal's expletives and gave thanks to the network for launching his media career.

Of course, Barkley's goodbye was likely the most anticipated of the group, and he did not disappoint while thanking everyone for convincing him to join TNT, not NBC, 25 years ago.

"It's been an honor, and I'm grateful and thankful," he said. "To ESPN, it's gonna be an honor and a privilege to work with you."

To no surprise, Ernie Johnson had a very classy speech in his final TNT moment.

"I'm grateful for all of the relationships we've built professionally and personally through the years," he said. "You just don't realize that until...you think back to all the good times you've had.

And finally, the four personalities dropped the mic as the show signed off.

NBA on TNT tributes

Many people on social media said goodbye to NBA on TNT, which was a staple in NBA coverage for 36 years.

Who is replacing the NBA on TNT?

Next year, NBC and Amazon will begin their media deals with the NBA, replacing TNT. Many of the broadcasters on TNT have already agreed to deals with those networks, so they won't be gone for long.

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.